Prince William and Kate Middleton's Wedding Guest List Included Their Former Flames
A Royal Wedding to Remember
When Prince William and Kate Middleton exchanged vows at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011, millions around the world tuned in to witness the grand occasion. Amid the breathtaking ceremony and iconic moments, eagle-eyed royal watchers couldn't help but notice something unusual — the couple’s wedding guest list included a few familiar faces from their pasts.
Former Loves at the Royal Wedding
Surprisingly, both William and Kate extended invitations to their exes, a move that raised a few eyebrows but also highlighted an old aristocratic tradition.
Prince William’s Notable Ex-Girlfriends
Prince William’s guest list featured several women he once dated, including:
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Rose Farquhar, often referred to as his first love
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Arabella Musgrave, a well-known figure in high society
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Isabella Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe, linked to William during their younger years
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Jecca Craig, a close friend frequently described as his "first true love"
Each played a unique role in William’s early life, showing the prince’s respect for past relationships and longstanding friendships.
Kate Middleton’s Former Flames
Kate Middleton also demonstrated graciousness by inviting two significant figures from her pre-William days:
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Rupert Finch, whom she dated before university
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Willem Marx, rumored to have been her sweetheart during her time at Marlborough College
Why Inviting Exes Is Normal in Royal Circles
While the idea of inviting former partners to one’s wedding might seem odd to many, in royal and aristocratic circles, it's a long-standing tradition. Maintaining friendly ties with exes is deeply ingrained in upper-class etiquette.
William Norwich, a correspondent for Town & Country, once explained in The New York Times that among the elite,
"Sustaining hostilities after a breakup is considered too down market."In essence, remaining on good terms with former flames is a reflection of social grace and high society expectations.
Other Royals Who Invited Exes to Their Weddings
William and Kate were not the first royals to embrace this custom.
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Prince Charles famously invited Camilla Parker Bowles to his wedding with Princess Diana.
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Prince Harry followed tradition by including his ex-girlfriends Chelsy Davy and Cressida Bonas at his 2018 wedding to Meghan Markle.
These examples underline how royal weddings are not just about fairy-tale romance but also about upholding centuries-old social traditions.
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