Princess Eugenie and her boyfriend of 8 years, Jack Brooksbank, wed at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on Friday, October 12.
Who is Princess Eugenie?
Princess Eugenie (her full title is Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie Victoria Helena of York) is the second daughter and youngest child of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson. She is the granddaughter of the Queen of England and 9th in line to the throne. Eugenie is currently a director at the London art gallery Hauser & Worth. Eugenie is 28 years old.
Who is Jack Brooksbank?
Jack is the eldest child and first son of George and Nicola Brooksbank. His father George has worked as a chartered accountant and company director. Jack was educated at the private Stowe school, but skipped university and went to straight to work. He currently works as the European Manager for Casamigos Tequila. He has one younger brother. Jack is 32 years old.
Their Love Story
The pair met when Eugenie was 20 and Jack was 24 during a ski trip in Verbier, Switzerland in 2010. Jack has said it was love a first sight, while Princess Eugenie admits calling her mum to tell her about Jack the very day they met. The couple fell in love over their shared passions and similar drive for life.
The Engagement
The couple officially announced their engagement on January 22, 2018. Jack got down on one knee and proposed to Eugenie next to a lake in Nicaragua at sunset. It reportedly happened on New Year's Eve. Jack actually proposed without a ring because he wanted the Princess to have input in the design. The couple came up with a blush-colored padparadscha sapphire surrounded by diamonds set on a yellow gold band.
The Big Day
Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank married at St. George's Chapel at Windsor castle, the same venue where her cousin Prince Harry married Meghan Markle five months prior. The ceremony was led by the Dean of Windsor, the Rt. Revd. David Conner, who gave the address at the wedding and officiated the vows.
Andrea Bocelli performed two songs during the service and was joined by musicians from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. State Trumpeters from the Band of the Household Calvary preformed a fanfare written for the occasion.
The event was a family affair with Eugenie's father HRH Prince Andrew of York escorting his daughter up the aisle, Sarah Ferguson taking on mother of the bride duties, and Princess Beatrice and Thomas Brooksbank serving as maid of honor and best man.
The couple included several Eugenie's cousins' children in their wedding party including Mia Tindall, Isla Phillips, Princess Charlotte, Savannah Phillips, and Prince George.
Readings were done by Princess Beatrice and Jack's cousin.
Eugenie's wedding dress was created by designers Peter Pilotto and Christoper De Vos under the Peter Pilotto label. The dress was embroidered with thistles for Scotland, shamrocks for Ireland, York roses, and ivy. The dress featured a neckline that folds around the shoulder and a low back that drapes into a flowing full length train.
The bride accessorized with the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik tiara, a loan from the Queen, and diamond and emerald drop earrings which were a gift from the groom.
Eugenie made the unconventional choice to forgo a veil on her wedding day. This choice was made as to not obstruct the low back feature of the dress that the Princess had specifically requested. Princess Eugenie wanted to show her scar from a surgery she had at the age of 12 to correct scoliosis.
Jack and Eugenie's guest list included over 800 friends and family, including celebrity guests Naomi Campbell, Liv Tyler, Kate Moss, Demi Moore, Ellie Goulding, Cara Delevingne, Pippa Middleton Matthews, and James Blunt.
Eugenie's Royal cousins William and Harry were also in attendance with their wives Kate and Meghan. The Fab Four quickly entered the chapel through a side door as to not upstage the bride and groom. Prince Charles was also in attendance sans his wife Camilla, who had a prior engagement.
The Duchesses defaulted to their go to designers for their wedding attire - McQueen and Givenchy respectively.
Following the ceremony the newlyweds took a short carriage ride through the town of Windsor.
Following the carriage ride the bride and groom and their 800+ guests enjoyed an afternoon reception hosted by The Queen at Windsor castle.
Celebrity florist Rob Van Helden used flowers and foliage that were sourced locally from Windsor Great Park. The seasonal display included roses, hydrangeas, dahlias, and berries. Sophie Cabot created a five-tier chocolate and red velvet cake for the couple and their guests to enjoy.
The newlyweds left their daytime reception in an Aston Martin DB10 which was made specifically for the 2015 Bond film Spectre.
The couple held an intimate reception later that evening at Royal Lodge, the York family home. Princess Eugenie followed in the footsteps of Kate and Meghan and changed in to a second dress for her black tie reception. The bride chose a blush gown by American designer Zac Posen. The color was inspired by the shade of an English rose. Jack ditched his morning suit for a dapper tuxedo with bow tie.
It Didn't End There...
The new husband and wife threw a carnival for 300 the following day, on Saturday, October 13. It featured game booths, a Ferris wheel, carousel, carnival fare, bumper cars, and a performance by Ellie Goulding!
It was reported that Eugenie wore a white mini dress and a custom made 'Mrs. Brooksbank' bomber jacket with the writing in her own scrawl.
What's In a Name?
Jack was not given a royal title upon marrying the Princess; however, Eugenie will retain her royal title. She can go by Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie or York or Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie, Mrs. Jack Brooksbank.
