Hansley Beard

Royal Weddings of the Past: Part 3

On Friday 9th June, 1961, The Daily Mail ran a special Souvenir Royal Wedding feature showing images from the previous day’s wedding of the Duke of Kent to Miss Katherine Worsley in York Minster titled the ‘Dazzling Duchess’.

Referring to the departure of the Bride from her home village:

‘The Queen was there. Almost all the Royal Family were there. The guest list was splattered with high-sounding European Royal names ... But country girl Katie Worsley looked more regal than them all as she walked up the aisle of York Minster on the arm of her father to marry the man she loves, the Young Duke of Kent. Her head was held high. Her veil floated from a little diamond coronet. And in her tight bodiced dress with its incredibly long sweeping train, she looked like a medieavel princess ...’

‘... she promised to obey, all the same. It had been announced that the couple would use the modern form of vows, which does not include the word “obey”. And the new form was printed in the order of service. There was a small smile on the face of the Archbishop of York, Dr Michael Ramsey, as he slipped in the vital word ... Why did Katie say “obey”? After the reception the Archbishop explained: “A few days ago a message reached me saying the bride had changed her mind, and that she now wanted the word included in the ceremony”.

‘Just 160 paces from the Altar to the door of the Minster ... But to the Duke of Kent and his bride it must seem the longest walk in the world. The eyes of the congregation and of millions of television viewers are on them ...’:

‘The Wedding Group picture for the Royal Album’:

‘Off got the Newlyweds: The new Duchess of Kent waves as she and her bridegroom drive from York Minster after the wedding’:

‘A piper plays, the bells chime and the gay Duke and his bride leave the Minster under a triumphal arch of swords’:

‘Back at Hovingham Hall, the Duchess turns to wave as dressers adjust the yards of train and veil’:

Finally, here’s an article talking about the huge success done by the BBC and the ITV on the TV footage of the wedding….

Back now to the 2011 BBC and ITV TV footage of the 2011 Royal Wedding ...and a huge congratulations to the new Princess Catherine and Prince William ...

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Posted Fri, 29 Apr, by Jennie Beard
Categories: Royal Weddings, Vintage Weddings
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