She sat in the second row during the civil ceremony, dressed in a refined white coat with a matching hat that had faint touches of yellow. To balance the look, she added black gloves, a black handbag, and black shoes.
Viewers watching from home were puzzled. White is traditionally reserved for the bride, so many wondered why the Queen chose that color. The confusion grew even more when Camilla appeared in a soft blue outfit instead of the expected white gown.
In reality, the choice had been carefully planned. Royal stylists had advised the Queen to wear a cream-toned outfit because Camilla had already selected an oyster-blue ensemble. Since both Charles and Camilla had been married before, and Camilla was 57 at the time, she opted for a more understated and elegant look rather than a traditional bridal dress.
The Queen, known for her love of bold colors, especially shades of blue like teal, cobalt, and powder blue, adjusted her outfit to avoid clashing with the bride’s choice.
This practical explanation differs from a popular theory among fans of Princess Diana, who believe the Queen wore white as a subtle tribute to Charles’s first wife, who passed away in 1997. Some supporters have interpreted the choice as a quiet sign of respect.
Charles and Camilla’s relationship had long drawn public attention, especially since it overlapped with his marriage to Diana. Diana herself once famously remarked in a BBC interview that “there were three of us in this marriage,” highlighting the controversy.
Despite earlier reservations, particularly due to her role as head of the Church of England and the fact that Camilla’s former husband was still alive at the time, Queen Elizabeth II ultimately gave her approval for the marriage. However, she did not attend the later religious blessing at St George’s Chapel.
