It was a wedding to remember, and for most people, it was impossible not to think of Prince Harry’s deceased mother, Princess Diana, who tragically died in a car accident in Paris in 1997.
The British royal family was all there, including Harry’s brother, Prince William and Father Prince Charles. But next to William was an empty chair.
The sight caused many people wonder: did Harry and the royal court leave the seat empty as a tribute to Princess Diana? This is what many viewers thought during the live broadcast from Windsor, and social media agreed.
An empty chair at Harry and Meghan’s wedding
Usually, when people leave a chair empty as a tribute to someone, they put a photo or a flower on it. Which is why several media outlets investigated the matter over the weekend. Now, the Daily Express, Time, People and Hello! Magazine have discovered the real reason behind the empty chair.
It turns out, the empty chair was intended for Harry’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, who sat immediately behind it. According to royal practice in Britain, no one should obscure the vision of the monarch — and therefore, the chair was empty. The 92-year-old queen was joined by Prince Philip, 94, who recently had hip replacement surgery.
However, the ceremony did honor Diana in several ways.
Meghan’s engagement ring is made of diamonds from Princess Diana’s collection.
In addition, St George’s Chapel was filled with Diana’s favorite flowers and Harry picked the bridal bouquet himself with flowers from Diana’s garden in Kensington Palace.
Prince William and Harry always talk warmly about the memory of their mother, Diana, who’s humanitarian efforts made her a role model for the world.
“I can safely say that losing my mum at the age of 12, and therefore shutting down all of my emotions for the last 20 years, has had a quite serious effect on not only my personal life but my work, as well.I have probably been very close to a complete breakdown on numerous occasions when all sorts of grief and sort of lies and misconceptions and everything are coming to you from every angle,” Prince Harry said in a conversation between him, William and Kate, which was filmed for the Heads Together campaign.
Now, he has his beloved Meghan.
This was what his mother’s and father’s wedding looked like on July 29, 1981.
When Harry got married, his best man was his older brother, Prince William.
Diana was very committed to humanitarian issues, like this campaign to help older people.
Diana passed away at 36 years old.
I’m sure Diana would have been proud of her boys. Rest in peace, princess of the people.