The sun was shining, the places cards were set, but the Duchess of Cambridge, née Kate Middleton, was notably absent from a high-society wedding over the weekend.
Kate and Prince William were due to attend the wedding of estate agent Bear Maclean and socialite Daisy Dickson at All Saints Church in Thurlestone, South Devon on Saturday but the 33-year-old was a late no-show.
According to royal insider, Sebastian Shakespeare the royal’s absence was so unexpected the wedding planners had little time prepare.
“The hosts appeared to have been informed so late that Kate’s name was still on the seating plan at the reception in a marquee overlooking the village green,” Shakespeare told the Daily Mail.
“They were due to sit at the top table. Kate had been expected to attend.”
While the Duchess was an absentee William wasn’t left to go to the celebrations stag, with his sister-in-law Pippa Middleton, 31, attending in Kate’s place.
While royal whisperers might like to speculate over why the Duchess didn’t attend the nuptials, it is likely Kate simply stayed home to help care for the couple’s two children to free William up to make the wedding of his old friend. Bear has been a close chum of Will’s for years and attended the royal couple’s wedding in 2011.
Like most young parents Kate has her hands full after becoming a mum for the second time in May, when she welcomed newborn Princess Charlotte.
Last month William, who recently started his new job as an air ambulance pilot, sang his wife’s praises saying: “Catherine has been doing an amazing job as a mother and I’m very proud of her.
“It has been fantastic and [Charlotte] is a little joy of heaven. But at the same time it is more responsibility, looking after two little ones, especially when George is around. He’s a little monkey.”
Kate would have been delighted to send Pippa in her place. The pair are extremely close, both in age and physical similarities, so when they choose to dress alike it’s often hard to tell them apart.
Here are ten times the Middleton sisters almost wore the same thing and it was hard to tell them apart.
The Duchess of Cambridge was a no-show for a friend’s wedding so Prince William turned up with his sister-in-law, Pippa Middleton instead.
Pippa Middleton wore something striking similar to her sister Kate at the Christening of Princess Charlotte earlier this year.
Stylish sisters: Kate and Pippa wore very similar outfits to the Christening of Prince George in 2012.
That Middleton olive skin looks divine in shades of pastel blue.
Kate and Pippa are often spotted dressing up a summer dress with a chic jacket.
Sisters in stripes.
Looking radiant in blush pink.
Colorful coats.
Smart style: Warding off that London cold in fitted turtle neck dresses.
A classy knee-length frock in a graphic print and matching fascinator is the classic wedding day costume for The Duchess of Cambridge and her sister.
Yellow can be a tough colour to pull off but the shade seems to lend itself to both of the tanned brunettes.
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