Honeymoons fit for a king: where the British royals began married life

Honeymoon like the royals

The honeymoons enjoyed by the British royals have always been truly regal affairs. From stately homes to far-flung boltholes, they've begun married life in a style most of us can only dream of – even if the marriages themselves haven't always stood the test of time. 

Read on to discover the gorgeous locations Britain’s newlywed royals have spent their honeymoons over almost two centuries, from lavish Surrey estates to private tropical islands...

Queen Victoria & Prince Albert: Windsor Castle

Queen Victoria married her German prince in 1840, in what’s since been dubbed one of the greatest love matches in history.

The pair, who were first cousins, had nine children together and when Albert died 21 years after their union, the grief-stricken Queen famously mourned him by wearing black for the next 40 years.

Queen Victoria & Prince Albert: Windsor Castle

She may have been Queen of the British Empire, but after their wedding, Victoria honeymooned for just three days at Windsor Castle.

She later wrote about her “gratifying and bewildering” wedding night in her diary, saying they “kissed each other again and again.” 

King George VI & the Queen Mother: Surrey

When King George VI married the Queen Mother he was known as Prince Albert, the Duke of York, while she was Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon.

George VI had to propose three times before she would agree to marry him, but they eventually wed at Westminster Abbey in April 1923.

King George VI & the Queen Mother: Surrey

Afterwards, they honeymooned at Polesden Lacey, a lavish mansion in Surrey, which was owned by wealthy socialite Maggie Greville. With its glittering chandeliers, 17th-century paintings and Fabergé animals, the house would have provided a lavish backdrop for the newlyweds.

The bedrooms had en suites and telephones, considered the height of luxury at the time, with great attention to detail. The bath water even flowed in from the bottom, to minimise splashing. 

King George VI & the Queen Mother: Surrey

During their break, the future King enjoyed exploring the estate gardens with his Queen, playing golf and practising their strokes on the tennis court. When Maggie Greville died in 1942, she left the house to the National Trust.

Today you can walk the estate, explore the gardens and take a tour inside the mansion.

Edward VIII & Wallis Simpson: Venice

King Edward VIII caused an international scandal when he abdicated from the throne after just 326 days in 1936, so he could marry American divorcée, Wallis Simpson.

The controversial couple wed in secrecy at the Château de Candé in France the following year with just 20 guests. 

Edward VIII & Wallis Simpson: Venice

They honeymooned at country house hotel Schloss Wasserleonburg, in the Austrian mountains, before heading on to Venice in Italy.

Here they took a boat trip up the Grand Canal, the stunning waterway that traverses the romantic city. In a recently-revealed letter written to her cousin, Wallis also said she hoped to enjoy some “sea bathing”.

Queen Elizabeth & Prince Philip: Hampshire

Queen Elizabeth II married the Duke of Edinburgh at Westminster Abbey in November 1947 after a decade of courtship. After a reception that included a nine-foot-high wedding cake, the happy couple set off for their honeymoon under a shower of rose petals.

They chose Broadlands for their break, the magnificent Hampshire home of Philip’s uncle, Earl Mountbatten.

Queen Elizabeth & Prince Philip: Hampshire

The Palladian-style mansion is set on the banks of the River Test, within a 6,000-acre estate. The sweeping drives and rolling lawns were the handiwork of English landscape architect Capability Brown.

The house, which is open for guided tours from late June to early September, has a Sculpture Hall, paintings by acclaimed artists Van Dyck, Raeburn and Reynolds, as well as a collection of Wedgwood. 

Queen Elizabeth & Prince Philip: Hampshire

It’s testament to the Queen’s fondness for Broadlands that she and Prince Philip chose to return there for their official diamond wedding anniversary photographs in November 2007.

Sixty years on, they even seemed to recreate their original honeymoon pose, with the Queen holding Philip's arm and wearing the same double strand pearl necklace and brooch.

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Princess Margaret & Anthony Armstrong-Jones: the Caribbean

Princess Margaret married photographer Anthony Armstrong-Jones (later to become Lord Snowdon) in May 1960, before setting sail on the Royal Yacht Britannia.

The 412-foot-long (126m) ship was commissioned by King George VI and served the royal family for 44 years, before it was decommissioned in 1997. 

Princess Margaret & Anthony Armstrong-Jones: the Caribbean

The loved-up pair headed to the Caribbean, no doubt drawn by the pristine beaches and crystalline seas. During their six-week cruise Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon visited Antigua, which is famously said to have over 365 white-sand beaches, one for every day of the year.

They also docked in Mustique, a lush island dotted with frangipani and bougainvillea flowers. 

Princess Margaret & Anthony Armstrong-Jones: the Caribbean

The owner of Mustique, Colin Tennant, was one of Margaret’s best friends and even gave the lucky princess a piece of land there as a lavish wedding gift. She went on to build a luxurious five-bedroom villa on the site, and frequently holidayed there throughout her marriage, enjoying the privacy it afforded her.

Rumours abounded of wild cocktail parties attended by rock stars and royalty alike. Sadly the marriage was less successful, and the pair divorced in 1978.  

Princess Anne & Captain Mark Phillips: the Galápagos

Queen Elizabeth II’s only daughter married Captain Mark Phillips in 1973, at Westminster Abbey. The couple then flew to Barbados, where they boarded the Royal Yacht Britannia, reportedly to the sound of calypso music playing the Love Story theme tune.

Unfortunately, their first week at sea was beset by fierce storms, which left them seasick. Perhaps it was an omen, for the pair divorced in 1992.

Princess Anne & Captain Mark Phillips: the Galápagos

Princess Anne and Captain Phillips ended their honeymoon in the Galápagos, a series of volcanic islands 600 miles (965km) off the coast of Ecuador.

The archipelago is known for its fantastic wildlife, which shows very little fear around humans. Visitors can get up close to giant tortoises, turtles, sea lions and even albatross colonies.

Prince Charles & Princess Diana: the Med & Scotland

Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer's ill-fated marriage started with an 11-day cruise of the Mediterranean, aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia.

Some 750 million people across the globe were glued to their TV screens as the pair said their vows at St Paul’s Cathedral on 29 July 1981. 

Prince Charles & Princess Diana: the Med & Scotland

During their honeymoon, the couple soaked up the sun in Tunisia, Sardinia, Greece and Egypt. Diana is also said to have enjoyed swimming in the sea around Britannia. A strict protocol on board the yacht meant the crew weren’t allowed to shout orders, using hand signals instead.

They also wore white plimsolls, to keep their footsteps quiet. Britannia’s crew included 220 yachtsmen – if one of them met a member of the royal family, he had to stand still and look directly ahead until they'd passed.

Prince Charles & Princess Diana: the Med & Scotland

After their cruise, the couple then returned to Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where Diana had been introduced to the royal family the year before. The couple stayed at Craigowan Lodge, a hunting lodge on the estate.

As they held hands and strolled through heather, there was little to suggest they would divorce 15 years later. 

Prince Edward & Sophie Rhys-Jones: Scotland

Some 200 million TV viewers tuned in to watch the Queen’s youngest son, Prince Edward, marry PR consultant Sophie Rhys-Jones in June 1999.

After their wedding at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, the newlyweds travelled to Birkhall, a grand hunting lodge in Scotland. 

Prince Edward & Sophie Rhys-Jones: Scotland

The Jacobean mansion, close to the River Dee, is set amid the sprawling 50,000-acre Balmoral Estate. Bought by Queen Victoria in 1849, Birkhall has been passed down through the royal family and when the Queen Mother died in 2002, she handed it to Prince Charles.

It’s said that the Earl and Countess of Wessex had initially planned a seven-day honeymoon, but extended it because the weather was so warm.

Prince Charles & Camilla Parker Bowles: Scotland

Prince Charles followed in his younger brother’s footsteps when he and Camilla Parker Bowles also honeymooned at Birkhall in April 2005.

The couple, who married at Windsor Guildhall and are now the King and Queen, even broke off their romantic holiday to open a children’s playground in the nearby town of Ballater.

Peter Phillips & Autumn Kelly: South Africa

Peter Phillips became the first of the Queen’s grandchildren to marry, when he wed Canadian student Autumn Kelly at Windsor Castle in May 2008.

Afterwards, the pair jetted off to South Africa, where they stayed at Tuningi Safari Lodge, a luxury resort set in the Madikwe Game Reserve. 

Peter Phillips & Autumn Kelly: South Africa

Tuningi Safari Lodge offers incredible opportunities to spot rhino, buffalo, elephants, lions, leopards and cheetahs. The luxury suites have private wrap-around decks and the pool overlooks a watering hole, which is popular with elephants.

Guests can sip a sundowner from their private bar, while watching the wildlife.

Peter Phillips & Autumn Kelly: South Africa

Bedrooms feature gigantic bathrooms with oversized baths, each with a view of the reserve.

Massages are available on the private decks, while meals are served under a fig tree, overlooking the watering hole. 

Zara Phillips & Mike Tindall: Cyprus

Zara Phillips chose Edinburgh as the location for her July 2011 marriage to rugby ace Mike Tindall. In what was a relaxed affair (by royal standards at least), she wore an off-the-peg dress.

When it came to the vows, she chose to honour rather than obey her new husband. 

Zara Phillips & Mike Tindall: Cyprus

The couple’s sporting careers meant they had to delay their honeymoon by three months, but in October 2011 they travelled to the five-star Columbia Beach Resort, near Limassol in Cyprus.

The couple spent their break swimming, reading and sunbathing, with the odd trip to the beach bar. 

Zara Phillips & Mike Tindall: Cyprus

It might have been a honeymoon, but Zara didn’t let her fitness slide, reportedly hitting the hotel gym.

Hopefully she also made good use of the hotel spa, which has an indoor pool, sauna, hot tub, plunge pool and steam room, as well as yoga and aerobics studio.

Prince William & Kate Middleton: the Seychelles

Their fairy-tale wedding in April 2011 was broadcast across the globe, with thousands of well-wishers lining the streets around Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace.

But when it came to their honeymoon, Prince William and Kate Middleton – now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge – wanted a rather more private affair.

Prince William & Kate Middleton: the Seychelles

The lovebirds flew to the Seychelles, where they spent 10 days relaxing on a secluded private island, only accessible by helicopter or boat.

The remote location, coupled with strict local privacy laws, meant the couple could enjoy an intimate break, away from the glare of the paparazzi. 

Prince William & Kate Middleton: the Seychelles

William and Kate reportedly stayed in North Island, in a £5,000 ($6,700) a night luxury villa with its own pool, personal chef and butler.

The Seychelles are famous for their white sandy beaches and glittering azure waters, teeming with tropical marine life. 

Prince Harry & Meghan Markle: still a secret

When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got married in St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle on 19 May 2018, it was one of the biggest television events on the planet, with over a billion people tuning in. The interest in where the glamorous couple would go on their honeymoon was just as intense.

To ensure some semblance of privacy for the newlyweds, a number of possible destinations were leaked to throw the press off the scent, including Botswana, Namibia, Nevis, India and even Birkhall, the Queen’s royal residence in Scotland.

Prince Harry & Meghan Markle: still a secret

Indeed, where the couple honeymooned remains a closely guarded secret to this day. Harry did reveal in his memoir, Spare, that it was "somewhere in the Mediterranean." Cyprus (pictured) was touted as the most likely destination, but that was never confirmed.

The couple were mindful of their royal duties too. The honeymoon was delayed for three days so they could attend King (then Prince) Charles’ 70th birthday garden party on 22 May and return in time for the Trooping The Colour on 9 June.

Princess Eugenie & Jack Brooksbank: also still a secret

Princess Eugenie married businessman Jack Brooksbank in St George’s Chapel just six months later, on 12 October 2018. Around 1,200 members of the public were invited into Windsor Castle's grounds to join the celebrations.

The couple followed Harry and Meghan’s example of keeping their chosen honeymoon destination close to their chest too.

Princess Eugenie & Jack Brooksbank: also still a secret

There was speculation that they would honeymoon in Verbier (pictured), the Swiss ski resort where the couple met. Or Nicaragua, where they became engaged.

The destination remains a secret to this day, although the bride’s mother, Sarah Ferguson, told the Daily Mail that the newlyweds spent the first night of the marriage at the Royal Lodge, eating pizza with the whole family at the kitchen table.

Princess Beatrice & Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi: South of France

As royal weddings go, the betrothal of Princess Beatrice, on 17 July 2020 was an unusually understated affair.

She married the millionaire property developer Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, in a small family ceremony at the Royal Lodge in Windsor. As we can see in this photo, featuring the late Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, social distancing rules were strictly observed.

Princess Beatrice & Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi: South of France

Their honeymoon options were somewhat limited too, with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office having only just lifted a global advisory against "all but essential" travel.

Hence the couple opted for a small, impromptu affair in the South of France, where the couple was spotted driving a "small car absolutely packed to the roof with stuff," according to The Telegraph.

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