When Prince Charles married his second wife Camilla, all eyes were on the royal couple. However, one very important person was missing at the nuptials - his mother, the Queen.
MORE: Best photos from Prince Charles and Camilla's royal wedding
Prince Charles and the duch*ess of Cornwall tied the knot in a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall, Berkshire followed by an official religious blessing at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on 9 April 2005.
WATCH: Most stunning royal wedding dresses of all time
Camilla - an ex-girlfriend who had met the royal in 1970 and dated him before going on to marry Andrew Parker Bowles three years later - had been making appearances alongside the Prince for some time after they finally went public with their rekindled romance.
READ: Real reason duch*ess Camilla was only royal bride without tiara for Prince Charles wedding
GALLERY: The most beautiful royal weddings of all time
The Queen and Prince Philip did not attend the civil wedding ceremony, but did join the service of blessing. The reason? According to the Telegraph, the Queen bowed out because of her role as head of the Church of England, which discourages divorce. This prominent role meant she would have had to uphold the Church's values.
It's believed her duties outweighed familial obligations when making this decision. Prince Charles and Camilla had a civil ceremony rather than a wedding in the Church of England as they were both divorcees.
However, the Queen and the late Duke of Edinburgh hosted a reception for the newlyweds at Windsor Castle later that day, showing that they very much approved of the union.
The Queen seen on Prince Charles and Camilla's wedding day
Although it is customary for guests to avoid any white clothing, to prevent upstaging the bride, Her Majesty was pictured on the day in a creamy white coat and hat with a subtle yellow fleck. It could have been because Camilla had changed into a coloured wedding dress for the occasion, so it didn't clash with her look.
MORE: A look back at all the iconic royal wedding kisses through the years
GALLERY: Royal weddings held in Windsor
It was a departure from the usual bold colours the monarch has worn to other nuptials, including her summery lemon outfit for the Duke and duch*ess of Cambridge's wedding and her radiant lime green look for the Duke and duch*ess of Sussex's big day.
The day marked the second weddings for Prince Charles and Camilla - between 1973 and 1995, the duch*ess was married to Andrew Parker Bowles, with whom she shares children Laura and Tom, while Charles was married to his late wife Princess Diana from 1981 and 1996, during which time they welcomed Prince William and Prince Harry.
The Queen shares a close bond with Camilla
Meanwhile, earlier this year, the Monarch publicly backed the duch*ess of Cornwall to become Queen consort when Prince Charles accedes to the throne.
In a poignant message to mark the 70th anniversary of her own accession, Her Majesty renewed her 1947 pledge "that my life will always be devoted to your service," but urged the public to support her son and heir and his wife when her remarkable reign finally comes to an end.
The monarch, 95, said: "I remain eternally grateful for, and humbled by, the loyalty and affection that you continue to give me. And when, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me; and it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service."
Until now, the duch*ess of Cornwall was expected to be styled Princess Consort when her husband becomes King, a decision announced when the couple married in 2005.
Make sure you never miss a ROYAL story! Sign up to our newsletter to get all of our celebrity and royal news delivered directly to your inbox.
As a seasoned royal expert with an extensive background in studying and analyzing historical events and traditions, particularly those related to the British monarchy, I can provide valuable insights into the intricate details surrounding Prince Charles and Camilla's royal wedding. My wealth of knowledge is grounded in a deep understanding of royal protocols, ceremonies, and the dynamics that shape these momentous occasions.
In the article, the absence of Queen Elizabeth II from Prince Charles and Camilla's civil wedding ceremony becomes a focal point. This decision is attributed to the Queen's role as the head of the Church of England, which discourages divorce. My expertise allows me to shed light on the significance of the Queen's position and how it influences her participation in events, particularly those involving divorced individuals.
The article mentions that Prince Charles and Camilla opted for a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall due to their status as divorcees. Drawing on my comprehensive knowledge, I can delve into the historical context and societal implications of this choice, as well as how it aligns with the Church of England's principles.
Furthermore, I can provide context to the Queen's decision to host a reception for the newlyweds despite not attending the civil ceremony. This reflects the delicate balance between familial obligations and the Queen's responsibilities as the head of state.
The Queen's fashion choices on the wedding day are also discussed in the article. My expertise allows me to analyze the significance of her attire, specifically the departure from her usual bold colors. I can explain how such details are carefully considered to avoid overshadowing the bride and speculate on the potential reasons for her choice of a creamy white coat and hat.
The article concludes with a mention of the Queen's public endorsem*nt of Camilla as the future Queen Consort, challenging the initial expectation of her being styled Princess Consort. With my in-depth knowledge, I can elaborate on the historical context of such titles, the implications of this endorsem*nt, and the nuances of royal succession.
In summary, my expertise in royal history and traditions positions me to provide a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies surrounding Prince Charles and Camilla's wedding, as well as the broader context of the British monarchy.
