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4w ago

Empty Seat at Eugenie’s Wedding Reveals Enduring Royal Protocol Under King Charles III

Buckingham Palace confirms that leaving the front pew vacant preserves the monarch’s sightline during key ceremonies.

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Overview

  • At Princess Eugenie’s October 2018 wedding at St George’s Chapel, the seat directly in front of Queen Elizabeth II remained empty to prevent any obstruction of her view.
  • The late queen chose to sit in the second row alongside senior royals including Prince Charles, Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
  • This custom of vacating the chair before the monarch dates back decades and was observed at Prince Harry’s wedding in 2018 and at Queen Elizabeth’s 2021 funeral.
  • Since ascending the throne in 2022, King Charles III has maintained the tradition, leaving the corresponding seat empty at his mother’s committal service and other major events.
  • Princess Eugenie’s close relationship with Queen Elizabeth II was also highlighted by the monarch’s decision to entrust her with the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara for her wedding day.