Wedding of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, and Katharine Worsley


The wedding of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, and Katharine Worlsey took place on Thursday, 8 June 1961 at York Minster in York, England. Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, is the eldest son of Prince George, Duke of Kent, and Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark, while Katharine Worlsey is the only daughter and fourth child of Sir William Worsley, 4th Bt., and Joyce Brunner.

Engagement

The Duke of Kent met Miss Katherine Worsley, daughter of Sir William Worsley, 4th Bt., while he was based at Catterick Garrison near the bride's family's ancestral home, Hovingham Hall.
The engagement of the Duke of Kent to Miss Katharine Worsley was announced on 8 March 1961 at Kensington Palace. The Duke presented Miss Worsley with an engagement ring made of an oval sapphire with round diamonds on either side.

The wedding

The couple were married by The Most Rev. and Rt Hon. Michael Ramsey, Archbishop of York, in York Minster, the "Westminster Abbey of the North," according to the Book of Common Prayer. This was the first royal wedding held in York Minster since Edward III married Philippa of Hainault in 1328.
Following the service, the couple and their guests returned to the bride's family home, Hovingham Hall, for the wedding breakfast. The newlyweds then departed for their honeymoon at Birkhall on the Balmoral estate.

Music

The newlywed couple recessed to Widor's "Toccata" from Symphony for Organ No. 5.

Clothing

The bride's wedding dress, designed by John Cavanagh on the recommendation of her future mother-in-law, was made of 237 yards of French-made diaphanous white silk gauze. It featured a tight bodice, stiff neckline, and a full skirt with a 15-foot double train. She anchored her white tulle veil with a diamond bandeau tiara which belonged to the bridegroom's late grandmother, Queen Mary.
The Duke wore the uniform of his regiment, the Royal Scots Greys with the riband of the Royal Victorian Order.

Attendants

The bridegroom was supported by his brother, Prince Michael. The bride was attended by eight bridesmaids, led by Princess Anne, and three pageboys.

Guests

Notable guests in attendance included:

[British royal family]

It was at this wedding that Infante Juan Carlos of Spain became better acquainted with Princess Sophia of Greece and Denmark. The pair would marry the following year and accede to the Spanish throne in 1975.

Other notable guests