THE RINGS
When it comes to engagement
rings, the young royals’ love for
their mothers shines as bright as
the jewels themselves.
The blue Ceylon sapphire and
white-gold ring with which William
proposed to Kate famously be-
longed to Diana, Princess of
Wales. Upon announcing their en-
gagement, William said: ‘this is my
way of keeping her close.’
The ring that Harry designed
for Meghan also paid tribute to his
mother, combining a cushion-cut
diamond from Botswana with
smaller diamonds from a brooch
belonging to the Princess of Wales.
Similarly, Eugenie’s pink pad-
paradscha sapphire and diamond
halo ring is thought to be inspired
by her mother Sarah, Duchess of
York’s engagement ring.
As has been tradition since
1923, Meghan, Kate and Eugenie’s
wedding bands were made from
Welsh gold gifted by the Queen.
Cleave and Company designed
both Meghan’s simple gold ring
and Harry’s slightly less traditional
choice: a textured platinum band.
Mayfair jeweller Wartski, also
responsible for the Prince of Wales’
and Duchess of Cornwall’s rings,
created Kate’s band. William chose
to give, but not to receive, a ring.
Likewise, Eugenie kept it tradi-
tional with Welsh gold while Jack
Brooksbank remained ring-free.
cleave.com; wartski.comTHE FLOWERS
Shane Connolly, known for his sus-
tainable floristry, transformed the
abbey for Kate and William’s nup-
tials with an avenue of trees flanking
the nave and thousands of flowers
from The Crown Estate. Rather
sweetly, Kate’s bouquet, also by
Connolly, featured Sweet William.
Rob Van Helden’s displays for
Eugenie and Jack, which included
liquidambar trees, reflected the rich
tones of autumn. For their evening
soirée, Lucy Vail and her team
worked their magic to bring their
Mad Hatter’s Tea Party to life.
Philippa Craddock transformed
St George’s Chapel for Harry and
Meghan with stunning arches of
wild foliage and flowers, sourced
predominantly from the royal es-
tates. Meghan’s bouquet, picked
by Harry, included his mother’s
favourite flower, forget-me-nots.
Zara’s bouquet was designed by
Paul Thomas (in-house florist at
The Ritz). Amid the calla lilies and
hydrangeas were thistles – most
apt for her Scottish wedding.
In line with royal tradition dat-
ing back to the wedding of Queen
Victoria’s eldest daughter, a sprig
of myrtle was included in each of
their bouquets. shaneconnolly.co.uk;
rvhfloraldesign.com; lucyvailfloristry.
com; philippacraddock.com;
paulthomasflowers.co.ukMOTHER OF THE BRIDE
Doria Ragland wore a chic pistachio
dress and coat by Oscar de la Renta.
Her shoes were made by Meghan’s
favourite brand Aquazzura and her
hat was by Stephen Jones.
Sarah, Duchess of York chose a
green dress by Emma Louise De-
sign. She paired it with a green hat
with gold ribbon detail by Jess
Collett, and a Manolo Blahnik
clutch inherited from her mother.
Princess Anne’s label of choice
was Favourbrook, wearing a floral,
vintage-inspired jacket over a pleat-
ed coral dress.
Carole Middleton opted for a
pale blue ensemble by Catherine
Walker, accessorised with a bespoke
hat by Jane Corbett and shoes by
Emmy London. oscardelarentacom;
stephenjonesmillinery.com; aquazzura.
com; emmalouisedesign.com;
jesscollettmilliner.com; manoloblahnik.
com; favourbrook.com; catherinewalker.
com; janecorbett.co.uk; emmylondon.comTHE ENTERTAINMENT
Eugenie and Jack hired energetic
soul and funk band, The Soul Jets,
who started out with a regular set at
the Arts Club Mayfair and have
since gone on to perform alongside
big names such as Gary Barlow.
Madhen Party Band – whose
fans include Bono and Paloma
Faith – stole the show as Zara and
Mike’s wedding performers.
Idris Elba DJed at Harry and
Meghan’s reception. Elba got to
know the royals through his work
with The Prince’s Trust, having
been supported by the charity as a
young actor.
William and Kate looked to
Ellie Goulding for entertainment
on the big night – she performed a
handful of her own songs and nu-
merous top hits with a live band.
alrmusic.co.uk/bands-listing/the-soul-
jets; madhen.net; elliegoulding.comTHE PLANNERS
Harry and Meghan’s reception was
planned by events firm Fait
Accompli, which is headed up by
old Etonian Alex Fitzgibbons and
his heiress wife Cristina Stenbeck.
Jack and Eugenie’s planner of
choice was Bentley’s Entertainments,
who were also in charge of Zara
Phillips and Mike Tindall’s reception,
and that of Peter Phillips and Autumn
Kelly. Outside of the royal family,
Bentley’s ventures have included the
Civil Partnership Ceremony of Sir
Elton John and David Furnish, and
the wedding of Victoria Adams and
David Beckham. faitaccompli.co.uk;
bentleys.net PHOTOGRAPHS: IAN WEST-WPA POOL / GETTY IMAGES; DANNY LAWSON / AFP / GETTY IMAGES; GARETH FULLER / AFP / GETTY IMAGES; SAMIR HUSSEIN / WIREIMAGE / GETTY IMAGES; STEVE PARSONS - WPA POOL / GETTY IM-AGES; JOHN STILLWELL - WPA POOL / GETTY IMAGES; MAX MUMBY / INDIGO / GETTY IMAGESAbove, The Soul Jets – the band hired by
Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank
Left, Philippa Craddock’s floral displays
for the Sussexes’ ceremonyKate’s bouquet. Below,
Doria Ragland in
Oscar de la RentaMEGHAN’S BOUQUET, PICKED BY HARRY,
INCLUDED HIS MOTHER’S FAVOURITE FLOWER58 Tatler Wedding Guide 2019 tatler.com07-19-Royal-Address-Book.indd 58 02/05/2019 14:23