About 600 guests filled St. George's Chapel for the royal wedding today, but one seat was apparently left vacant - and royal fans had their own ideas as to why that was. While following along with the nuptials, viewers noticed there was an empty seat next to Prince William on the royal family's side of the congregation. The supposed explanation? It was reserved for Prince Harry's late mother.
Royal fans got emotional over what they thought was a touching tribute to Princess Diana.
Royal reporter Rebecca English, however, put those rumours to rest when she clarified that the empty chair at the wedding wasn't a tribute to Princess Diana. Instead, it's protocol to leave the seat in front of the Queen empty.
But even with the vacant chair aside, there were plenty of tributes to Princess Diana at the nuptials, including Meghan Markle's veil, her bridal bouquet, the reading from Lady Jane Fellowes, Diana's sister and a special piece of jewellery given to Meghan by Harry for the wedding reception.
There was also apparently an empty chair left at the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's wedding in Westminster Abbey seven years ago. Viewers at the time also speculated on Twitter that it was a nod to the groom's late mother, but presumably it was for the same reason as above.
Every photo you need to see from the Royal Wedding
Erica Gonzales is the Deputy Editor, Digital Content at ELLE, where she helps to oversee coverage and strategy. She was previously the Senior Culture Editor at ELLE and an editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com. She’s probably listening to Lorde right now.
