From ruined dresses to inappropriate speeches, we’ve witnessed our fair share of wedding disasters. Oftentimes ceremonies don’t go exactly according to plan—even when the bride and groom are literal royalty. From Meghan Markle’s typo to Prince George’s disruptive behavior, here are the ten most memorable royal weddings disasters of all time. Keep scrolling for details.
The 10 Most Memorable Royal Wedding Disasters of All Time
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Published Oct 26, 2022
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1. Kate Middleton's Fluctuating Ring Size
Prince William couldn’t get the ring on Kate Middleton’s finger during their 2011 wedding. According to The Daily Mail, the duchess had the band resized at the last minute due to her pre-wedding weight loss. It appears she underestimated the size of her knuckles.
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2. The Photobomber
This is one of the most iconic pictures of the newlyweds on their wedding day. But did you know that a less-than-thrilled bridesmaid, 3-year-old Grace van Cutsem, photobombed every single balcony photo of the Prince and Princess of Wales? (#Savage)
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3. Marie Antoinette's Unzipped Dress
Marie Antoinette (AKA the Queen of France) was unable to attend any wedding dress fittings, which forced her dressmakers to estimate her measurements. The gown didn’t fit, and there was no time to make alterations. So, the royal left the bodice open.
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4. Princess Margaret's Wedding Party Drama
Shortly before Anthony Armstrong-Jones tied the knot with Princess Margaret in 1960, the groom was forced to appoint a new best man. It all started when the royal family caught wind of O.G. best man Jeremy Fry’s troubled past and refused to let him participate in the ceremony.
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5. Prince George's Disruptive Behavior
During Princess Eugenie’s wedding, Prince George and his cousin, known troublemaker Savannah Phillips, were seen giggling and pretending to play the trumpet.
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6. Queen Sofía's Stumble Down The Aisle
In 1962, Queen Sofía of Spain could hardly contain her excitement when she tied the knot—so much so that she tripped over her stunning wedding gown while walking down the aisle. The dress (which was designed by Jean Desses) featured a 16-foot train, which explains the stumble.
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7. Meghan Markle's Program Typo
It’s no secret that Meghan Markle’s dad, Thomas, didn’t attend her and Prince Harry’s 2018 nuptials. Perhaps the wedding coordinator didn’t get the memo, because the program still referenced Thomas. It read: “The Bride, having been greeted by the Dean of Windsor, moves in procession through the Nave where she is joined by her Father, Mr. Thomas Markle, to the High Altar.” Awkward…
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8. Princess Diana's Perfume Mishap
Right before walking down the aisle in 1981, Princess Diana decided to freshen up with perfume and accidentally “tipped the bottle,” which spilled down her wedding dress. Her makeup artist later discussed the mishap and revealed that the royal used her hands to conceal the wet stain.
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9. Diana's Name Swap
Princess Diana’s nerves must have been at an all-time high because she reportedly called Prince Charles by the wrong name. Instead of “Charles Philip Arthur George,” she said, “Philip Charles Arthur George.”
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10. Prince Harry's Guest List
This is more of a near-disaster, but it’s still worth a mention. For his wedding at St. George’s Chapel, Prince Harry extended an invite to two of his ex-girlfriends: Chelsy Davy and Cressida Bonas. They both attended the nuptials, but they fortunately didn’t make a scene. Phew!
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