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Royal WeddingsThe Yorks

Duke of York gives candid speech at Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank’s wedding reception

While the wedding reception lunch hosted by Her Majesty The Queen was a private one, tidbits have emerged.

Around 800 guests attended the stand-up reception in Waterloo Chamber, the Grand Reception Room and St. George’s Hall in Windsor Castle and snacked on finger foods such as little scotch eggs and bites of beef in Yorkshire pudding.

The beautiful wedding cake, designed by London-based baker Sophie Cabot, was a five-tier red velvet and chocolate cake inspired by the vibrant colours of autumn. Eugenie and Jack cut the first ceremonial piece before mingling with their guests. It is expected that, as tradition, the top tier will be saved to be used at their first child’s christening.

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The Duke of York also gave a candid speech, which he admitted in an interview aired before the wedding that he had not written before, and told a story about his new son-in-law and the family dog. A source told People magazine that the Duke joked saying, “The Duke told a story about their dog Jack [a Norfolk terrier]. One day, I think it was early in the relationship, he shouted ‘Jack, get off the chair!’ And the dog didn’t move. But Jack did!”

His Royal Highnesses speech also included many touching moments where he talked about Eugenie’s childhood moments, and then to many people’s surprise, the Duke hugged Jack at the end of his remarks.

According to Hello!, he told the guests he was going to do something he’d never done before and then proceeded to hug his new son-in-law.

Jack also spoke during the reception where he thanked their guests for sharing in their special day and brought many to tears as he expressed his deep love for his new bride, calling her the light of his life.

After the reception, the newly married couple left Windsor Castle in a silver Aston Martin DB10 that had been made for the James Bond film Spectre. Princess Beatrice helped her younger sister get in the car and helped fold the dress to fit inside, while a proud Prince Andrew stood by chuckling at the difficulty of getting Eugenie’s gown to fit before closing her car door and waving them off. Eugenie and Jack headed off to their evening reception at the Duke’s residence, the Royal Lodge.

The party continues tomorrow with a fairground celebration and food stalls.

About author

Brittani is from Tennessee, USA. She is a political scientist and historian after graduating with a degree in the topics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in December 2014. She also holds a master's degree from Northeastern University. She enjoys reading and researching all things regarding the royals of the world. She's been researching, reading, and writing on royalty for over a decade. She became Europe Editor in October 2016, and then Deputy Editor in January 2019, and has been featured on several podcasts, radio shows, news broadcasts and websites including Global News Canada, ABC News Australia, WION India and BBC World News.