Like all brides she wanted every aspect of her wedding to be perfect, not least the venue.
St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle couldn’t have been more to Meghan Markle’s liking – historic and picturesque with long family ties… it had it all.
The only problem was, apparently, the smell. According to well-placed royal sources, the musty odour of the 15th century chapel did not find favour with the soon to be Duchess of Sussex, who asked for air fresheners to be deployed before her guests arrived.
Meghan’s big day was held inside the 15th century St George’s Chapel in Windsor. The request to use atomisers – hand-held devices for spraying water or perfume – specifically came from Meghan’s office at Kensington Palace
Meghan Markle was met by the Prince of Wales half way up the aisle amid the splendour of St George´s Chapel on her big day
Meghan Markle walked down the aisle as she arrived in St George´s Chapel at Windsor Castle for her wedding to Prince Harry
The same insiders report that Meghan’s request to use the atomisers did not find favour with Buckingham Palace, which swiftly pointed out that the chapel was a regular place of worship for the Queen – as it had been for successive monarchs since 1475 – and if it was good enough for them, it would be good enough for her.
The fascinating vignette about the royal wedding on May 19 comes amid speculation about Meghan’s friendship with her sister-in-law the Duchess of Cambridge – which is not believed to be close – after it was announced that Meghan and Prince Harry are to move out of Kensington Palace to live in Frogmore Cottage, Windsor, early next year.
There have also been suggestions that Meghan and Harry are proving unpopular with royal staff, and can be difficult and ‘dictatorial’.
Harry and Meghan in a carriage procession in Berkshire on their wedding day. According to well-placed royal sources, the musty odour of the 15th century chapel did not find favour with the soon to be Duchess of Sussex
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex ride in an open-topped carriage through Windsor Castle this May to a jubilant crowd who had gathered to see the two royals
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were pictured leaving Windsor Castle for their Frogmore House reception. They now plan to live in an estate near Frogmore House
The Duchess of Sussex was seen wearing a ring which belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales. Anything to do with the chapel – the venue for several royal marriages– is a matter for the Queen, who had to give them permission to use it
Recent reports have suggested that despite Harry telling staff ‘What Meghan wants, Meghan gets’, they also clashed with the Queen’s household over which tiara Meghan could wear, until the Queen stepped in. She was also said to have warned her grandson about their behaviour.
It is understood that the request to use the atomisers – hand-held devices for spraying water or perfume – to create a pleasant aroma for guests at St George’s Chapel specifically came from Meghan’s office at Kensington Palace.
Although she and Harry organised the wedding themselves with an in-house team, anything to do with the chapel – the venue for several royal marriages including Queen Victoria’s and burial place of ten monarchs – is a matter for the Queen, who had to give them permission to use it.
St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle couldn’t have been more to Meghan Markle’s liking – historic and picturesque with long family ties… it had it all. The only problem was, apparently, the smell. She and Harry organised the wedding themselves with an in-house team
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh during the wedding service. They also clashed with the Queen’s household over which tiara Meghan could wear, until the Queen stepped in. She was also said to have warned her grandson about their behaviour
Harry and Meghan arrive at the altar inside the chapel for their wedding. It had been the venue for several royal marriages including Queen Victoria’s
Harry and Meghan leave the chapel after their wedding ceremony. Harry and Meghan also became the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on their big day
That meant all of the arrangements needed to be passed by the Lord Chamberlain’s Office at Buckingham Palace, which is in charge of ceremonial matters such as state visits and garden parties. And when the request to use the atomisers was raised, the response was, well, a little sniffy.
The source said: ‘Apparently Meghan didn’t like the smell of the chapel, which, as you would expect, is a little musty. It’s not unpleasant at all, though.
‘It just smells how you would expect an old building to smell. And that’s something the Royal Family are particularly used to.
‘Meghan wanted staff to go around with these atomisers, like spritzer guns, and spray the chapel with scent before anyone arrived.
‘Royal Household staff stepped in and told her office politely, but firmly, that this was the Queen’s Chapel and it simply wasn’t appropriate.
‘I don’t believe they said no because they thought it could affect the chapel in any way. It was simply the principle of the thing.
‘This is a place that has held royal weddings, funerals and even contains the Royal Vault. I don’t believe a request of that nature had been made before.’
Harry kisses Meghan outside of the chapel after their wedding. Buckingham Palace pointed out that the chapel was a regular place of worship for the Queen
Harry and his best man, the Duke of Cambridge, wore the frockcoat of the Blues and Royals on Harry and Meghan’s big day. The day was a warm weekend, with thousands gathered on the streets surrounding the Windsor chapel
Harry and Meghan kiss for the waiting crowds after their wedding service. There have also been suggestions that Meghan and Harry are proving unpopular with royal staff, and can be difficult and ‘dictatorial’
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are pictured inside the chapel walking from their wedding ceremony. The chapel had been decorated, but Meghan had complained of a musty smell, according to insiders
The source stressed there had been ‘no falling out’ between the two households, but that there was a certain amount of surprise at the request. ‘Frankly it was all a bit ridiculous and rather over the top,’ they said.
A second source, while also confirming that atomisers had been requested, said: ‘The two households worked very well together. I don’t believe they [the atomisers] caused concern.’
St George’s Chapel was built by successive monarchs starting with Edward IV in 1475 and completed by Henry VIII in 1528. Kensington Palace declined to comment last night.
Insiders have previously suggested there has been no acrimony between the Cambridges and the Sussexes (pictured at a service of remembrance at Westminster Abbey earlier this month). The fascinating vignette about the royal wedding on May 19 comes amid speculation about Meghan’s friendship with her sister-in-law the Duchess of Cambridge
Harry and Meghan’s new home of Frogmore Cottage, pictured, is situated in the private Home Park and looks out onto the stunning grounds of Frogmore House, right
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are pictured leaving Windsor Castle after their wedding to attend an evening reception at Frogmore House