With Queen Elizabeth in attendance, a rare public appearance from Prince Philip, and Prince Harry taking time away from his newborn son Archie, the guest list at Gabriella Windsor’s wedding showed the esteem in which she’s held by the royal family.
Gabriella married Thomas Kingston at St George’s Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle, surrounded by family and friends, on May 18, 2019.
Sadly the couple were to enjoy less than five full years of marriage before Mr Kingston’s untimely death aged 45, which was announced by Buckingham Palace on Tuesday evening.
Other royals in attendance on the couple’s big day included Sarah, Duchess of York with her ex-husband Prince Andrew, their daughter Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Marpelli Mozzi Princess Anne.
The Middleton family were also out in force with Kate’s parents Carole and Michael and sister Pippa in attendance – thanks to her longstanding friendship with the groom.
The couple tied the knot at St George’s Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle, surrounded by family and friends, on May 18, 2019
The Queen looked overjoyed as she beamed outside St George’s Chapel, carrying the order of service for the wedding
The beaming bride arrived at St George’s chapel in a claret-coloured vintage car, accompanied by her father Prince Michael of Kent.
She stunned in an ivory lace gown by Italian designer Luisa Beccaria, featuring a bateau neckline, sheer embroidered sleeves and an A-line skirt.
Gabriella, known as Ella to her friends, wore a breathtaking six-metre long veil, which was arranged by the designer on the steps of the chapel.
She selected the Russian Fringe-style tiara, also worn by her grandmother, Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent, and mother, Princess Michael of Kent, on their wedding days.
The dazzling diamonds of the headpiece glittered beneath Lady Gabriella’s long white veil as she made her entrance at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.
Meanwhile, Thomas, who was a director of Devonport Capital, specialising in providing finance for companies in ‘frontier economies’, chose a classic morning suit for the big day.
The Bristol University graduate previously worked in Baghdad, Iraq, according to the Telegraph, working to procure the release of hostages after joining the Diplomatic Missions Unit of the Foreign Office.
His financial career credentials included roles at Voltan Capital Management and IDC Securities.
Thomas was a close friend of Pippa Middleton and the pair were seen out and about together on numerous occasions.
He attended her wedding to James Matthews in May 2017, accompanied by Lady Gabriella.
Lady Gabriella, who is a writer and contributing editor, had been dating Thomas for a number of years when he proposed on the island of Sark in 2018.
Buckingham Palace later released details about the wedding service, with the hymns sung by the congregation including Tell Out My Soul, Be Thou My Vision and Love Divine, All Loves Excelling.
The readings were taken from Ecclesiastes III, Philippians IV, a passage from Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost, and O Tell Me The Truth About Love, by WH Auden.
Flowers arrangements inside the chapel featured coral sunset peonies, coral and white roses, white hydrangea, white delphiniums, apricot stocks and seasonal flowers, as well as the creamy ivory ‘Ella’ rose, by David Austin, named after the bride.
The charming cherry and apple blossom trees that stood outside St George’s were from Hillier Nurseries.
Isabella and Maud Windsor – Lady Gabriella’s nieces – and the other bridesmaids wore ivory dresses with blush underlays and sashes, completed with flower garlands.
The wedding reception was held at Frogmore House, where Harry and Meghan staged their wedding dinner, and the bride and groom cut a cake made by Fiona Cairns, who also made the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s cake.
The three-tiered confection was crafted from three recipes: fruit cake, Victoria sponge and Limoncello sponge.
It featured pale blush icing, adorned with seasonal sugar flowers and a delicate leaf border, drawing inspiration from the exquisite fabric found within Frogmore House.
Guests at the reception were served smoked Scottish salmon and asparagus risotto and canapes, as well as Caragh Chocolates from the Isle of Sark, where the couple were engaged.
The beautiful flower displays at the reception were created by John Plested.
The wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston was the third at St George’s Chapel in less than a year – following the star-studded nuptials of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank.
The royal couple looked happier than ever as they exited St George’s Chapel following their wedding ceremony
The bride stunned in an ivory lace gown by Italian designer Luisa Beccaria, featuring a bateau neckline, sheer embroidered sleeves and an A-line skirt
Lady Gabriella Windsor and Prince Michael of Kent arrive for her wedding to Thomas Kingston at St George’s Chapel
Thomas was a close friend of Pippa Middleton, pictured, with the pair often seen out and about together
Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York spoke to Dean of Windsor the Right Rev David Conner outside the chapel
Lady Gabriella Windsor and her father Prince Michael of Kent pictured at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle
Lady Gabriella and Thomas Kingston posed on the steps of St George’s chapel alongside their bridesmaids and page boys
Thomas and Lady Gabriella pictured on the steps of the chapel after their wedding at St George’s Chapel in Windsor
Thomas pictured as he arrived for his wedding to Lady Gabriella Windsor at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle on May 18, 2019
Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston pictured leaving St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, following their wedding in 2019
Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston smiled with their family members as they posed for a photo at St George’s
Guests arrived on a vintage Green Line London-Grays bus adorned with a sign that read ‘Wedding Day Special’
Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, Sophie Winkleman and Lord Frederick Windsor posed for photos after the wedding
Gabriella and Thomas were beaming as they exited St George’s Chapel after getting married in 2019
The couple shared a kiss following their ceremony at Windsor, as they tied the knot during their 2019 wedding
Lady Gabriella stood with her mother, Princess Michael, who has previously made headlines for her outspoken comments
Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston waved as they departed St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle
St George’s Chapel was adorned with pink and white spring flowers for the royal wedding in 2019