Queen Elizabeth's granddaughter marries at grand royal wedding

WINDSOR, England - Queen Elizabeth's granddaughter Princess Eugenie married Jack Brooksbank at Windsor Castle on Friday in front of celebrities and Britain's senior royals including Prince Harry and wife Meghan who wed at the same venue in May.

Eugenie, 28, younger daughter of the queen's third child, Prince Andrew, and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, tied the knot with Brooksbank, 32, in the castle's 15th Century St George's Chapel.

It was the same setting as the wedding of Harry and Meghan earlier in the year, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, as the couple are now known, were among the star-studded congregation at Friday's event.

The 92-year-old queen and her husband Philip, 97, who has retired from official engagements, were joined by other royals and celebrities including Hollywood stars Liv Tyler and Demi Moore, models Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell and singer Ellie Goulding.

Female guests had to cling on to their hats as a blustery wind threatened their wedding outfits and a page boy tripped on the stairs walking into the chapel.

Eugenie’s dress, by Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos who founded the British-based label Peter Pilotto, was designed deliberately with a low back to reveal scars from surgery she underwent as a child. She was led down the aisle by her father, Prince Andrew.

"This is meant to be a family wedding," Andrew said earlier.

"There will be a few more people than most people have, there are a few more than Harry had, but that's just the nature of Eugenie and Jack - they've got so many friends that they need a church of that size to fit them all in," he told ITV's "This Morning" which broadcast the event live.

CAMILLA ABSENT

Singing and cheering well-wishers gathered outside in the streets of Windsor in the shadow of the castle, although there were far fewer people than crammed into the town for Harry's wedding.

"I'm a true royalist," David Weeks, 77, bedecked in a "Union Jack" suit and bowler hat, told Reuters. "I was here for the queen's 90th birthday. I was here for Harry and Meghan's wedding, I wouldn't miss it, I love the atmosphere."

The ceremony was overseen by the Dean of Windsor David Conner and charity guests and 1,200 members of the public were invited into the grounds for the occasion.

One noticeable absentee was Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, the wife of heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles, as she was carrying out an engagement in Scotland.

Princess Charlotte, 3, daughter of Harry's elder brother Prince William and his wife Kate, was a bridesmaid, and her brother, Prince George, 5, a page boy.

After the service, the couple will make an open-top carriage tour of Windsor. The queen will then host a reception at the castle.

Eugenie, a director at London's Hauser & Wirth art gallery, and Brooksbank, who owns a wine wholesale business and is European brand manager for Casamigos Tequila, which was co-founded by U.S. actor George Clooney, met in the Swiss ski resort of Verbier in 2010.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Britain's Princess Eugenie gets engaged

LONDON - Britain's Princess Eugenie of York has got engaged, Buckingham Palace announced Monday, lining up a second royal wedding this year at the church where Prince Harry will tie the knot.

Eugenie, who is eighth in line to the throne, will marry her boyfriend Jack Brooksbank in late 2018, the palace said.

Eugenie, 27, is the younger daughter of Queen Elizabeth II's second son Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, and his ex-wife Sarah.

"The Duke and Duchess of York are delighted to announce the engagement of Princess Eugenie to Mr Jack Brooksbank," Buckingham Palace said.

"Her Royal Highness and Mr Brooksbank became engaged in Nicaragua earlier this month.

"The wedding will take place in the autumn of 2018 at St George's Chapel in Windsor, with further details to be announced in due course."

The church in the grounds of Windsor Castle, west of London, is where Eugenie's first cousin Harry is set to marry US actress Meghan Markle on May 19.

Eugenie showed off her engagement ring, an oval padparadscha sapphire surrounded by diamonds, in pictures released by Buckingham Palace.

Eugenie and her fiance began dating around seven years ago after they met while skiing in the Swiss resort of Verbier.

Socialite Brooksbank is the UK brand ambassador of Casamigos tequila, which was co-founded by US actor George Clooney. Brooksbank used to be the manager of posh central London nightspot Mahiki.

Andrew and Sarah married in 1986. They divorced 10 years later but remain close. Their daughters are Princesses Beatrice, 29, and Eugenie.

'SOLID ROCK'  

Andrew said he was "really thrilled" at the news.

"Jack is an absolutely outstanding young man and Eugenie and he have got to know each other over a number of years," he said.

The duke said attention would turn to wedding planning and "getting it all organised" but "we can't fix a date yet, we've got to look at everyone's diaries".

Voicing her "total joy", Sarah said on Twitter: "The river flows well to its destiny because of the guidance of a solid rock."

Queen Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip "are very pleased and wish the couple all the best," a Buckingham Palace spokesman said.

Prime Minister Theresa May also sent her "very best wishes", saying: "congratulations to the happy couple".

Aged 12, Eugenie had back surgery to correct scoliosis and has two titanium rods in her back. She is now patron of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, which carried out the operation.

She went to Newcastle University and graduated with a degree in English literature, art history and politics.

Eugenie rarely carries out public duties on behalf of Queen Elizabeth and works for the Hauser and Wirth art gallery in London as an associate director. She is also the patron of several charities.

source: news.abs-cbn.com