On the momentous occasion of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s wedding, nerves were palpable in St. George’s Chapel.
Broadcasted to nearly two billion viewers worldwide and with throngs of excited well-wishers lining the streets of Windsor, the day was a grand spectacle.
Amidst this whirlwind of emotions, the late Queen Elizabeth II, renowned among her family for her sharp humor, attempted to lighten the mood with her characteristic wit.
This was a day filled not only with anticipation and excitement but also quite a bit of pressure, especially for the couple and their photographer.
Photographer Alexi Lubomirski, who had captured the couple’s engagement photos, returned for the wedding day.
However, he found himself feeling a bit anxious about impressing the royal family.
Seeking guidance, he turned to Harry for advice.
The prince candidly informed him, “My grandparents have taken so many pictures in their lives; it’s not their favorite activity.
If you don’t get it right quickly, they might just move on.”
And Harry’s insight proved to be astute.
As Lubomirski was setting up, the Queen, alongside Prince Philip, arrived earlier than anticipated.
The photographer, taken aback, apologized for the delay, to which the Queen responded dryly, “It’s not me you need to worry about.” This quip was, of course, a nod to her husband, who had a reputation for being less than patient when it came to waiting for photographers.
Royal biographer Ingrid Seward has noted that the Queen was “a master of understatement,” often delivering her wisecracks with her classic deadpan expression.
Prince Philip was notorious for occasionally losing his patience during photo ops, even letting the odd curse word slip.
At the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, for instance, he famously barked, “Just take the f picture!” while surrounded by World War II veterans, leaving onlookers, including Prince William, suppressing smiles.
Over nearly five decades, veteran royal photographer Arthur Edwards revealed the challenges of capturing the Duke’s picture.
He noted that photographing the Queen was a true privilege, while engagements with Prince Philip were often a bit more fraught.
“He treated us photographers like telegraph poles,” Arthur quipped, alluding to the Duke’s indifferent stance towards the media.
Meanwhile, some photographers highlighted Philip’s sense of humor as a redeeming quality.
Samir Hussein, who had captured images of the Duke for 15 years, appreciated Philip’s spirited nature, adding a sprinkle of lightness amidst his confrontational tendencies.
However, impatience with the press was a trait that seemed to run in the family.
Annie Leibovitz, an esteemed American photographer, relayed her own experience with the late Queen during a BBC documentary.
When Leibovitz sought to capture a regal image of the monarch on horseback, she received a mere 25 minutes at Buckingham Palace instead.
Arriving late and appearing flustered, the Queen remarked, “I don’t have much time,” highlighting her own struggle with being photographed.
Even Prince Charles wasn’t immune to such moments.
While on a skiing trip in 2005, he was caught on a live microphone grumbling about photographers, expressing his irritation with comments like, “Bloody people” and specifically criticizing BBC’s Nicholas Witchell—a sentiment that led to some public backlash.
As Harry made his entrance into the chapel on May 19, 2018, his body language revealed his unease.
Body language expert Judi James noted that he exhibited various anxiety cues, from wringing his hands to tugging nervously at his suit.
His apparent worry was so profound that he even asked his brother, Prince William, “Is Meghan here?”
The couple’s journey down the Long Walk was equally nerve-wracking for Meghan.
After catching a glimpse of the crowds behind them, she turned to Harry, seemingly exclaiming, “Oh f!”—a candid moment that was caught on camera and shared with the public.
As the couple rode away in their horse-drawn carriage, Harry jokingly remarked, “My hair is going to go grey.” This casual humor may have been a welcome relief amidst the gravity of the occasion—one that would easily unnerve even the most seasoned royals.
The remarkable wedding brought with it a flurry of emotions.
Yet, among all the pomp and circumstance, Queen Elizabeth‘s subtle humor reminded everyone that even within the royal family, levity has its place, even in the most serious of settings.
