Royals

Senior royal bows out of Princess Eugenie’s wedding

Oct 10, 2018

Camilla will not be attending the wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank. Source: Getty

With just days to go until Princess Eugenie marries Jack Brooksbank in a lavish wedding ceremony at Windsor Castle, it appears one key royal won’t be part of the big day.

The Duchess of Cornwall is set to miss the royal festivities on Friday due to a pre-arranged royal engagement. According to a report in The Telegraph, 71-year-old Camilla will be in Scotland at the same time of the wedding, so won’t be able to attend.

A spokesperson told the publication it was simply because she had already accepted an invitation from local schools to attend a harvest festival and that she confirmed before she received an invite from Princess Eugenie and her husband-to-be.

In January, the palace announced the wedding would take place in the autumn of 2018, although specifics about the date weren’t yet finalised.

Camilla’s spokesperson rubbished rumours she wasn’t attending the wedding due to a feud with Sarah Ferguson, and assured readers Princess Eugenie and Jack had known about her conflicting schedule for some time. They also said she gets along “very well” with Sarah.

The news was also confirmed by royal commentator and former royal press secretary Victoria Arbiter, who said there was no conflict by Camilla not showing up to the nuptials.

“I know it seems odd that Camilla’s missing Eugenie’s wedding but it doesn’t indicate any malice or ill-feeling,” she tweeted. “Royals don’t like to disappoint. Given she’d already committed to attending a school event it’s duty first.”

I know it seems odd that Camilla's missing Eugenie's wedding but it doesn't indicate any malice or ill-feeling. Royals don't like to disappoint. Given she'd already committed to attending a school event it's duty first.

— Victoria Arbiter (@victoriaarbiter) October 7, 2018

While Camilla is out, she may not be the only royal to miss out on the big day. There are fears Princess Eugenie’s grandfather Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh may not make it to the big day either. According to The Telegraph sources, the 97-year-old will decide on the day whether or not he’s feeling well enough to attend.

Prince Philip officially retired from all public duties in 2017, and now chooses to attend only a handful of royal events throughout the year. He was present at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex in May, despite reports he suffered a cracked rib shortly before the big day.

Eugenie and Jack’s wedding is set to be attended by more than 850 guests including the Queen, Prince Harry and Meghan, Prince William and Catherine, as well as celebrities Victoria and David Beckham, George and Amal Clooney and Sir Elton John. The service is set to kick off at 11am UK time with the Dean of Windsor, The Rt Revd. David Conner, officiating the ceremony. The Archbishop of York, the Most Revd. And Rt. Hon. John Sentamu will lead the prayers.

Queen Elizabeth is set to host the reception at Windsor Castle, while Princess Eugenie and Jack will also complete a carriage procession through the streets of Windsor.