How Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank's Wedding Compares to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's
In the days before Princess Eugenie walked down the aisle to marry her longtime partner Jack Brooksbank, it was announced that the event's hashtag would be #royalwedding2. Because the nuptials took place months after the much-touted wedding of Eugenie's cousin Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the two affairs were bound to be compared.
What makes the comparisons even more stark is that Eugenie and Brooksbank said "I do" at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex exchanged vows on May 19. But the second royal couple of the year still managed to make their day distinct. Here are the key similarities and differences between the weddings.
Eugenie's Wedding Dress
The Princess wore a long-sleeved, ivory gown designed by Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos, who founded the British-based label Peter Pilotto. The dress was embroidered with symbols meaningful to the bride, including "a Thistle for Scotland acknowledging the couple's fondness for Balmoral, a Shamrock for Ireland as a nod to the Bride's Ferguson family, the York Rose and ivy representing the couple's home," according to the royal family's website. The low back feature was requested by Princess Eugenie who had surgery aged 12 to correct scoliosis.
Meghan's Wedding Dress
The Duchess of Sussex surprised oddsmakers by wearing British designer Clare Waight Keller of Givenchy on her wedding day. The simple gown had three-quarter-inch sleeves and a sleek boatneck.
Eugenie's Rings
Brooksbank proposed to Eugenie with a stunning coral-colored padparadscha sapphire which resembles the ring her dad, Prince Andrew, designed for her mom, Sarah Ferguson. And on the wedding day, he gave her a slim gold band.
Meghan's Rings
Prince Harry gave Meghan a simple, slim wedding band made of Welsh gold, as is royal tradition. It paired with her custom engagement ring made by court jewelers Cleave and Company with a diamond sourced from Botswana and two smaller stones from his mother Princess Diana's collection.
Eugenie's Tiara
Eugenie wore the stunning Greville Emerald Kokoshnik tiara from Queen Elizabeth's collection. The center stone is a whopping 93.7 carats. Eugenie finished off her look with diamond and emerald drop earrings, a wedding gift from Jack.
Meghan's Tiara
Meghan borrowed the Queen Mary's bandeau tiara, borrowed from the collection of Queen Elizabeth who inherited from her mother, Queen Mary.
Eugenie's Bouquet
Eugenie's bouquet was created by floral designer Rob Van Helden's sister, Patrice Van Helden Oakes. It consisted of Lily of the Valley, Stephanotis pips, baby blue thistles, white spray roses and trailing ivy.
Meghan's Bouquet
Meghan carried a modest collection of forget-me-nots, sweet pears, lily of the valley, astilbe, jasmine, astrantia and a spring of myrtle. Her groom handpicked some of the stems in the bouquet, which was designed by florist Philippa Craddock.
Eugenie and Jack's Wedding Venue
Eugenie and Jack exchanged vows Friday morning at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, which fits 800 people.
Meghan and Harry's Wedding Venue
Meghan and Harry also wed at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, which made for similar scene shots from the events.
Eugenie Skipped the Veil
Eugenie broke with tradition, skipping the veil and just wearing the elaborate Greville Emerald Kokoshnik tiara instead. Not having a veil also highlighted her Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos-designed gown's full train.
Meghan's Veil
Meghan's dramatic 16.5-foot-long veil stole the show at her ceremony. It was also designed by Waight Keller and was embroidered with the flora of all 53 countries of the Commonwealth.
Jack Brooksbank and His Best Man
Jack chose his brother - and only sibling - Thomas Brooksbank to be his Best Man.
Prince Harry and His Best Man
Like Brooksbank, Harry picked his brother as his attendant. Harry and Prince William both wore their military uniforms.
Eugenie's Bridesmaids and Page Boys
Princess Charlotte and Prince George were joined by five other bridesmaids, one other page boy and two special attendants. They included: Savannah Philips, 7, Isla Philips, 6, Mia Tindall, 4, Theodora Williams, 6, Louis de Givenchy, 6, Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, 14, and Viscount Severn, 10.
Meghan's Bridesmaids and Page Boys
George and Charlotte made an appearance at their Aunt Meghan and Uncle Harry's wedding, too. They were part of the 10-person wedding party, joined by Zalie Warren, Florence Van Cutsem, Jasper George Galloway Dyer, Remi and Rylan Litt, Ivy Mulroney, and her twin brothers Brian and John Mulroney.
The Queen and Prince Philip at Eugenie and Jack's Wedding
The Queen arrived wearing a pale blue coat designed by Angela Kelly. And, though it had been reported that Prince Philip may miss the event, he decided to come last-minute. Just like for Meghan and Harry's wedding, the Queen hosted a champagne reception at Windsor Castle for Eugenie and Jack on Friday afternoon.
The Queen and Prince Philip at Meghan and Harry's Wedding
The Queen wore a lime green dress and coat by Stuart Parvin and a purple hat designed by Angela Kelly for Meghan and Harry's nuptials. And though he was recovering from hip surgery, Prince Philip, walked into the event, determined not to miss the big day.
"In fact, one of the reasons that Prince Harry has wanted this wedding to happen quite quickly-this is really whirlwind by royal standards-is because his 96-year-old grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, is retired now and Prince Harry really wants him to be at his wedding," royal reporter Katie Nicoll told ET.
The Mother of the Bride at Eugenie's Wedding
Sarah Ferguson wore a bright green dress with a structured hat in a matching hue. She sat in the front row with her ex-husband, Prince Andrew - a sign that, after many years of tension, she has been welcomed back into the royal fold.
The Mother of the Bride at Meghan's Wedding
Meghan's mom, Doria Ragland, escorted the bride to the ceremony wearing a mint green dress and coat designed by Oscar de la Renta. During the vows, she sat in the second row, across from the Queen and Prince Philip.
The Father of the Bride at Eugenie's Wedding
Prince Andrew walked his daughter Eugenie down the aisle at St. George's. He wore a traditional morning suit for the occasion.
The Father of the Bride at Meghan's Wedding
Thomas Markle was unable to attend the wedding due to health issues. So, Meghan's new father-in-law Prince Charles walked her down the aisle.
Kate Middleton at Eugenie and Jack's Wedding
The Duchess of Cambridge wore a vibrant fuschia Alexander McQueen dress with a matching velvet Philip Treacy hat.
Kate Middleton at Meghan and Harry's Wedding
She stayed busy at her brother-in-law's wedding corralling the wedding party, which included her two older children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte. She wore a yellow coatdress by Alexander McQueen with matching hat.
Celebrities at Jack and Eugenie's Wedding
Friends of the couple like Cara Delevigne, Kate Moss, Ellie Goudling, and Naomi Campbell made an appearance.
Celebrities at Harry and Meghan's Wedding
David and Victoria Beckham, George and Amal Clooney, and plenty of Markle's actor friends from the U.S. were at the event.
Eugenie's Arrival
Eugenie arrived to the ceremony with her father, Prince Andrew of York.
Meghan's Arrival
Meghan rode with her mom, Doria Ragland, in a vintage Rolls-Royce.
The Carriage at Eugenie's Wedding
Though they'd originally planned to take an open-top carriage ride, the newlyweds changed plans to take the closed Scottish State Coach due to strong winds. Still, they took a romantic ride through the town of Windsor before heading off to their champagne reception.
The Carriage at Meghan's Wedding
After saying "I do," Meghan and Harry rode in an Ascot Landau carriage around Windsor. Two of the horses who pulled Eugenie and Jack's carriage - Tyrone and Storm - pulled Eugenie and Jack's, as well.
Eugenie and Jack's Wedding Cake
The bride and groom went with red velvet-and-chocolate cake made by London baker Sophie Cabot who described it as “a traditional cake with a modern feel.” The bottom layer features the couple's monogram.
Meghan and Harry's Wedding Cake
The couple broke with tradition with an un-tiered cake made by Claire Ptak of London's Violet Bakery. The three lemon and elderflower portions were decorated with a simple swiss meringue frosting and fresh flowers.
Eugenie and Jack's Kiss and Meghan and Harry's Kiss
The couples both stopped upon exiting the church to share a sweet kiss under an arch of white flowers.
Eugenie and Jack's Getaway Car
The couple left for their reception in an Aston Martin DB10 - a car that was made for the James Bond film Spectre.
Meghan and Harry's Getaway Car
The newlyweds made a chic exit in a 007-esque light blue 1968 Jaguar E-Type Concept Zero. "We've been overwhelmed by the positive reaction to the Jaguar E-Type Zero concept," Tim Hannig, director of the Jaguar Land Rover Classic division, said in a statement after the wedding.
Eugenie and Jack's Reception Venue
The nighttime wedding reception was held at the Royal Lodge in Windsor, which is located three miles from Windsor Castle.
Meghan and Harry's Reception Venue
The new couple celebrated with a reception for 200 at Frogmore House. The event was hosted by Prince Charles at the official royal residence not far from Windsor Castle. The estate was a special place for the couple, who took their official engagement photos on the grounds.
('You Might Also Like',)
