Queen Elizabeth is usually well-versed in matters of etiquette, but she didn’t seem to mind showing up uninvited to a stranger’s wedding on Friday.
The 85-year-old monarch was visiting Manchester Town Hall when she was told that local couple John and Frances Canning had just exchanged vows inside.
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The queen was delighted to learn of the nuptials and went in to congratulate the couple and pose for wedding photos, with her husband Prince Philip in tow.
“It was very special — it was so lovely that she took the trouble to speak to us,” bride Frances told The Sun newspaper.
“She said I looked lovely and she wanted to wish us all the best for the future. We’re going to have to get a bigger wedding album now. Not many people will have pictures like that!”
Prince Philip — who is notorious for making inappropriate comments — also rose to the occasion, keeping his foot out of his mouth and impressing the newlyweds.
“He was a charming fella — for me it was the icing on the cake,” John Canning said.
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Queen Elizabeth was in Manchester to visit a number of sites as part of her Diamond Jubilee tour.