Inside Lady Gabriella's wedding to Thomas Kingston at St George's chapel - with Queen Elizabeth as guest of honour - as she mourns his sudden death, aged 45

The loved-up couple tied the knot in 2019, at St George's Chapel in Windsor  READ MORE:  Who is Lady Gabriella Windsor? Late Queen's cousin mourns sudden death of her husband

With Queen Elizabeth in attendance, a rare public appearance from Prince Philip, and Prince Harry taking time away from his newborn son Archie, the guest list at Gabriella Windsor’s wedding proved the esteem in which she’s held by the royal family.

Prince and Princess Michael of Kent’s daughter married financier Thomas Kingston at St George’s Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle, surrounded by family and friends, on May 18, 2019.

Sadly the couple were to enjoy less than five full years of marriage before Mr Kingston’s untimely death aged 45, which was announced by Buckingham Palace on Tuesday evening.

Other royals in attendance on the couple’s big day included Sarah, Duchess of York with her ex-husband Prince Andrew, their daughter Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Marpelli Mozzi and Princess Anne.

The Middleton family were also out in force with Kate’s parents Carole and Michael and sister Pippa in attendance – thanks to her longstanding friendship with the groom. 

The couple tied the knot at St George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle, surrounded by family and friends, on May 18, 2019

The couple tied the knot at St George’s Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle, surrounded by family and friends, on May 18, 2019

The Queen looked delighted as she smiled outside St George's Chapel, carrying the order of service for the wedding
Prince Harry and The Queen shared a smile as they spoke after leaving the royal wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston

The Queen looked delighted as she smiled outside St George’s Chapel, carrying the order of service for the wedding. Pictured right, Prince Harry and The Queen shared a smile as they spoke after leaving the royal wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston



Prince Philip appeared overjoyed as he attended the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston at St George's Chapel on May 18, 2019 in Windsor

Prince Philip appeared overjoyed as he attended the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston at St George’s Chapel on May 18, 2019 in Windsor

Dubbed the ‘biggest society wedding of the year’ at the time, guests also included Julian Fellowes, who is well known as creator of TV period drama Downton Abbey.

Prince Philip, who retired from royal duties in May 2017, made a rare public appearance at the wedding in 2019, arriving alongside Queen Elizabeth at St George’s Chapel.

Prince Harry was also at the wedding, attending just 12 days after the birth of Archie, his first son with wife Meghan Markle – and on the eve of their first wedding anniversary.

The late Queen appeared to be overcome with emotion following the wedding, an emotional video from the big day revealed. It shows the late monarch wiping away a tear of joy as she waved the happy couple off.

Further showing the importance of the glittering occasion, the Royal Family’s official website shared three official photographs from the wedding day.

One of the photographs was a family portrait showing the delighted late Queen and her beaming husband sitting together in front of other relatives.

The beaming bride arrived at St George’s chapel in a claret-coloured vintage car, accompanied by her father Prince Michael of Kent.

She stunned in an ivory lace gown by Italian designer Luisa Beccaria, featuring a bateau neckline, sheer embroidered sleeves and an A-line skirt.

Gabriella, known as Ella to her friends, wore a breathtaking six-metre long veil, which was arranged by the designer on the steps of the chapel.

The royal couple looked happier than ever as they exited St George's Chapel following their wedding ceremony

The royal couple looked happier than ever as they exited St George’s Chapel following their wedding ceremony

The bride stunned in an ivory lace gown by Italian designer Luisa Beccaria, featuring a bateau neckline, sheer embroidered sleeves and an A-line skirt

The bride stunned in an ivory lace gown by Italian designer Luisa Beccaria, featuring a bateau neckline, sheer embroidered sleeves and an A-line skirt

Lady Gabriella Windsor and Prince Michael of Kent arrive for her wedding to Thomas Kingston at St George's Chapel

Lady Gabriella Windsor and Prince Michael of Kent arrive for her wedding to Thomas Kingston at St George’s Chapel

She selected the Russian Fringe-style tiara, also worn by her grandmother, Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent, and mother, Princess Michael of Kent, on their wedding days.

The dazzling diamonds of the headpiece glittered beneath Lady Gabriella’s long white veil as she made her entrance at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.

Meanwhile, Thomas, who was a director of Devonport Capital, specialising in providing finance for companies in ‘frontier economies’, chose a classic morning suit for the big day.

The Bristol University graduate previously worked in Baghdad, Iraq, according to the Telegraph, working to procure the release of hostages after joining the Diplomatic Missions Unit of the Foreign Office.

His financial career credentials included roles at Voltan Capital Management and IDC Securities.

Thomas was a close friend of Pippa Middleton and the pair were seen out and about together on numerous occasions.

He attended her wedding to James Matthews in May 2017, accompanied by Lady Gabriella.

Lady Gabriella, who is a writer and contributing editor, had been dating Thomas for a number of years when he proposed on the island of Sark in 2018.

Thomas was a close friend of Pippa Middleton, pictured, with the pair often seen out and about together

Thomas was a close friend of Pippa Middleton, pictured, with the pair often seen out and about together

Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York spoke to Dean of Windsor the Right Rev David Conner outside the chapel

Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York spoke to Dean of Windsor the Right Rev David Conner outside the chapel

Queen Elizabeth, Prince Andrew, Prince Harry, Princess Beatrice, Edoardo Marpelli Mozzi and Princess Anne are all pictured at the wedding in 2019

Queen Elizabeth, Prince Andrew, Prince Harry, Princess Beatrice, Edoardo Marpelli Mozzi and Princess Anne are all pictured at the wedding in 2019

Prince Philip pictured chatting to the Duke of Sussex when attending the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor in 2019

Prince Philip pictured chatting to the Duke of Sussex when attending the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor in 2019

Queen Elizabeth II at the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston on May 18, 2019

Queen Elizabeth II at the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston on May 18, 2019

Lady Gabriella Windsor and her father Prince Michael of Kent pictured at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle

Lady Gabriella Windsor and her father Prince Michael of Kent pictured at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle

Lady Gabriella and Thomas Kingston posed on the steps of St George's chapel alongside their bridesmaids and page boys

Lady Gabriella and Thomas Kingston posed on the steps of St George’s chapel alongside their bridesmaids and page boys

Buckingham Palace later released details about the wedding service, with the hymns sung by the congregation including Tell Out My Soul, Be Thou My Vision and Love Divine, All Loves Excelling.

The readings were taken from Ecclesiastes III, Philippians IV, a passage from Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost, and O Tell Me The Truth About Love, by WH Auden.

Flowers arrangements inside the chapel featured coral sunset peonies, coral and white roses, white hydrangea, white delphiniums, apricot stocks and seasonal flowers, as well as the creamy ivory ‘Ella’ rose, by David Austin, named after the bride.

The charming cherry and apple blossom trees that stood outside St George’s were from Hillier Nurseries.

Isabella and Maud Windsor – Lady Gabriella’s nieces – and the other bridesmaids wore ivory dresses with blush underlays and sashes, completed with flower garlands.

The wedding reception was held at Frogmore House, where Harry and Meghan staged their wedding dinner, and the bride and groom cut a cake made by Fiona Cairns, who also made the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s cake.

Thomas and Lady Gabriella pictured on the steps of the chapel after their wedding at St George's Chapel in Windsor

Thomas and Lady Gabriella pictured on the steps of the chapel after their wedding at St George’s Chapel in Windsor

Thomas pictured as he arrived for his wedding to Lady Gabriella Windsor at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on May 18, 2019

Thomas pictured as he arrived for his wedding to Lady Gabriella Windsor at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle on May 18, 2019

Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston pictured leaving St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, following their wedding in 2019

Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston pictured leaving St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, following their wedding in 2019

Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, Sophie Winkleman and Lord Frederick Windsor posed for photos after the wedding

Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, Sophie Winkleman and Lord Frederick Windsor posed for photos after the wedding

The couple shared a kiss following their ceremony at Windsor, as they tied the knot during their 2019 wedding

The couple shared a kiss following their ceremony at Windsor, as they tied the knot during their 2019 wedding

Lady Gabriella stood with her mother, Princess Michael, who has previously made headlines for her outspoken comments

Lady Gabriella stood with her mother, Princess Michael, who has previously made headlines for her outspoken comments

Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston waved as they departed St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle

Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston waved as they departed St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle

The three-tiered confection was crafted from three recipes: fruit cake, Victoria sponge and Limoncello sponge.

It featured pale blush icing, adorned with seasonal sugar flowers and a delicate leaf border, drawing inspiration from the exquisite fabric found within Frogmore House.

Guests at the reception were served smoked Scottish salmon and asparagus risotto and canapes, as well as Caragh Chocolates from the Isle of Sark, where the couple were engaged.

The beautiful flower displays at the reception were created by John Plested.

The wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston was the third at St George’s Chapel in less than a year – following the star-studded nuptials of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank.

Yesterday, Mr Kingston’s tragic death was described as a ‘great shock to the whole family’. His wife paid tribute to her husband in a joint statement with his family, describing him as an ‘exceptional man who lit up the lives of all who knew him’.

An inquest will be held to establish the cause of death but there are no suspicious circumstances and no other parties involved.

Lady Gabriella, who is not a working member of the Royal Family, released a personal photo she took of her husband, showing him smiling and dressed in a casual pink shirt as he stood near a stretch of water in the sunshine.

In a statement with Mr Kingston’s family, she said: ‘It is with the deepest sorrow that we announce the death of Thomas Kingston, our beloved husband, son and brother.

‘Tom was an exceptional man who lit up the lives of all who knew him. His death has come as a great shock to the whole family and we ask you to respect our privacy as we mourn his passing.’

King Charles and Queen Camilla have sent their ‘most heartfelt thoughts and prayers’ to Lady Kingston and Mr Kingston’s family.

Mr Kingston was found dead at an address in Gloucestershire on Sunday evening, with emergency services called to the scene shortly after 6pm.

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