CIVIL WEDDING
Guildhall, Windsor, April 9, 2005
One day later as scheduled - due to the funeral of Pope John Paul II - the civil wedding of the Prince of Wales and Camilla Parker Bowles took place in the Ascot Room within the Guildhall at Windsor. Bride and groom had spent the night apart from each other. The Prince of Wales had spent the night at Highgrove, Gloucestershire, with his sons William and Harry. Camilla Parker Bowles had spent the night at Clarence House. She left Clarence House at 10.08 in the morning in a black Audi, her motorcade heading past Buckingham Palace en route to Windsor Castle, 25 miles away. She wore a blue jacket, waved and smiled to reporters as the car swept past. A crowd of around 100 people, mostly foreign tourists, watched from behind barriers. In the meantime crowds were beginning to assemle in the centre of Windsor, some fanatics even camped in the streets overnight. Security was extra tight around Windsor with marksmen on rooftops, officers mingling in the crowd and police with sniffer dogs patrolling the route.
Shortly before 11.00 the band of the Coldstream Guards marched from the town's barracks towards Windsor Castle, leading the changing of the guard, much to the pleasure of the waiting people in the streets. Registrar Clair Williams, who conducted the civil marriage, arrived at the Guildhall at noon. She was dressed in a pale pink skirt and jacket and a cream hat. She said she was 'nervous but excited'. By her side was her deputy Claire Paterson, wearing a royal blue skirt and jacket, who recorded the wedding in the register. At 12.14 the 28 guests for the civil wedding left Windsor castle in a minibus to be driven down the High Street to the Guildhall. They arrived only shortly before the Prince of Wales and Camilla Parker Bowles. Major Bruce Shand and Tom Parker Bowles led the party, which was greeted at the steps by Sir Malcolm Ross, of the Lord Chancellor's Office, to the Ascot Room inside the hall.
At 12.25 the Prince of Wales and Camilla Parker Bowles left Windsor Castle via the King George IV gate and were driven the short journey down the Long Walk through Windsor Great Park, through the Cambridge Gate, up Park Street, and on to the town's High Street in a Rolls Royce. Camilla waved to the crowds outside. At the Guildhall a jazz band comprising pupils from the local boys' school struck up a spirited rendition of Congratulations as the Prince and Camilla stepped from the car and walked side-by-side into the Guildhall.
After a preliminary meeting in the Mayor's Parlour at which the Registrar confirmed details, the marriage ceremony itself followed at the Ascot Room of Windsor Guildhall. The flowers in the Ascot Room had been cut from the gardens at Highgrove and Raymill. Bunches of Lily of the Valley - a favourite of both Charles and Camilla - also decorated the room. Traditionally, Lily of the Valley symbolise the return of happiness. The 28 guests were seated in three rows of five chairs on either side of the aisle while Charles and Camilla took two dark brown padded chairs in front of a matching table. Prince William of Wales and Tom Parker Bowles were the witnesses to the marriage. There was no music and no additions, such as poetry or other readings, to the standard register-office order. No media were allowed inside and aides kept further details strictly private. A stern-looking Queen Victoria watched over the proceedings. Her portrait hangs in the room which is decorated with a central chandelier and a pair of stained-glass windows along one side.
At 12.51 the Prince of Wales and the new Duchess of Cornwall emerged arm-in-arm from the red doors of the Guildhall under loud applause. The Prince smiled broadly and waved to the crowd. He mouthed "Thank you very much" to the cheering crowds. Camilla, looking nervous, pressed closely to his side as they stepped back in to the Rolls-Royce to return to the Windsor Castle for the blessing ceremony in St George's chapel. Their first public appearance as a married couple lasted perhaps less than 30 seconds. Crowds outside the Cambride Gate cheered as the royal couple travelled back to Windsor Castle. The new Duchess of Cornwall gave a broad smile and a royal wave. On the minibus behind them, Princes William and Harry both peered from of the window, waving and laughing.
More than 20,000 people cheered the couple in Windsor. There were two arrests, one for streaking and another for what police described as a minor offence.
The Duchess of Cornwall's wedding outfit
The Duchess of Cornwall wore an oyster silk basket-weave coat with herringbone stitch embroidery and a chiffon dress with appliqué woven lacquered disc detail. The design team, Robinson Valentine, wanted a crisp clean look with subtle detailing for the ceremony at Windsor Guildhall. To achieve this, the designer team used two fabrics with very different textures. The lacquered discs were made in Switzerland to Robinson Valentine’s specifications while the hand worked herringbone detail on the coat was embroidered in-house using silk thread. The garment is hand finished. Work on the outfit started on 21st February and continued until the final fitting on Tuesday 5th April. There were two initial meetings followed by eight fittings.
Shoes
The Duchess of Cornwall wore an elegant court shoe in pale beige suede, with an almond toe and a 5 cm heel by Linda Bennett, designer and founder of LK Bennett. She is known for her elegant and wearable designs.
Hat
The Duchess of Cornwall wore a natural straw hat overlaid with ivory French lace and trimmed with a graphic fountain of feathers, designed by Philip Treacy.
Bag
The handbag was an ‘East/West’ clutch bag made from embossed calf leather, lined with suede and made with a half flap. The inside is imprinted with the Launer name and Royal Warrant and also includes a matching coin purse and leather covered mirror.
Hair
The Duchess of Cornwall's hair was prepared by Hugh Green of Hugh and Stephen, based at Ebury Road, London.
Make-up
The Duchess of Cornwall's make-up is by Julia B.
Wedding rings
The wedding rings were hand made in court style by Wartski, using Welsh gold supplied by Cambrian Goldfields Limited. The gold used was from the Clogau St. David's mine and the river Mawdach in the Kings Forest, where it was recovered from deep pools using sub-aqua equipment. It was then refined and alloyed to pass 22ct. gold standard and hallmarked at the London Assay Office.
The Car
The Prince of Wales and Mrs Parker Bowles arrived at and depart from the Guildhall by car, from Windsor Castle. They were driven in a Rolls-Royce Phantom VI painted in Royal claret livery, which was used by The Queen for over 25 years. The Phantom VI was presented to The Queen in 1978 for her Silver Jubilee and has been used regularly for official duties since. It was used during The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh’s State Visit to Russia in 1994 and also by the Earl and Countess of Wessex for their wedding in 1999.
Flowers in the Guildhall
There were growing jasmine plants in the hall. The flowers in the Ascot Room for the Civil Ceremony were cut from the gardens at Highgrove and Raymill. Bunches of Lily of the Valley - a favourite of both the Prince of Wales and Mrs Parker Bowles – will also decorate the room. Traditionally, Lily of the Valley symbolise the return of happiness. At the request of Mrs Parker Bowles, all flowers and plants were donated to local hospices. Mrs Parker Bowles worked closely with Shane Connolly of Shane Connolly Flowers Ltd for the flowers and arrangements.