According to Prince Harry, there was tension within the Royal Family regarding the choice of venue for his wedding to Meghan Markle.
On May 19, 2018, millions watched as the couple tied the knot at St George’s Chapel in Windsor. However, leading up to the event, disagreements reportedly arose over where the ceremony should take place.
In his memoir Spare, Harry claims that his brother, Prince William, was against the idea of them having a grand wedding in London, similar to his own 2011 nuptials with Princess Kate. When Harry suggested Westminster Abbey, William allegedly shut it down, stating it was “no good” because it had been the venue for his own wedding.
This exchange, as recalled by Prince Harry, highlights a moment of disagreement between the brothers regarding the venue for William’s wedding.
Harry initially suggested St Paul’s Cathedral, a grand and historic location, but William dismissed it as “too grand,” pointing out that their parents, King Charles and Princess Diana, had their wedding there.
Instead, William reportedly proposed Tetbury, a location near their father’s Highgrove estate, where the brothers had spent much of their childhood. Harry found this suggestion amusing and questioned its capacity, asking: “Seriously, Willy? How many does that place seat?”
William, in turn, reminded Harry that he had previously expressed a desire for a “small, quiet wedding.”
This moment sheds light on the differing perspectives of the brothers, with William seemingly leaning toward a more personal and low-key setting, while Harry was skeptical about its practicality.
The Church of St Mary the Virgin in Tetbury, Gloucestershire, is a notable landmark, but whether it could have held the 800 guests from Harry and Meghan’s wedding is uncertain. However, for those intrigued by the idea, it presents an interesting venue option.
Harry shared that he and Meghan initially envisioned a far more private wedding than the grand ceremony the world saw. Their dream was to elope and exchange vows “barefoot in Botswana, with maybe a friend officiating.” However, he admitted, “we were expected to share this moment with other people. It wasn’t up to us.”
In the end, they selected the historic St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle—a 550-year-old venue—for their wedding.