The awkward Queen Elizabeth II moment you never saw at Prince William and Kate's royal wedding


The Prince of Wales tied the knot in 2011 to his beautiful bride, the then-Kate Middleton – here's the off-camera moment that made one guest so embarrassed


Queen Elizabeth II with Carole Middleton and Queen Camilla© Getty
Rachel Avery
Rachel AveryHomes Editor
Updated: July 19, 2026

The Prince and Princess of Wales tied the knot in 2011, with the whole world watching. While the royal wedding day may have seemed to go without a hitch, there were, of course, a few tense behind-the-scenes moments.

One of which has been revealed by TV presenter Ben Fogle, who was a guest at the wedding. He has admitted he was left red-faced when his wife Marina accidentally clashed with Queen Elizabeth II's big arrival ahead of the nuptials.  

Explaining the situation, Ben wrote in his Telegraph column: "We had been asked to arrive at Westminster Abbey early – two hours, I recall. So early that Marina needed a pregnancy-induced wee just before the bride and groom arrived. 

"My sisters-in-law seized the opportunity to join her in a not insignificant dash across the Abbey, getting caught in the aisle just as the Queen arrived." He then added: "I remember my face reddening at that."

pregnant marina and husband ben at wedding© Getty Images
Marina was pregnant at the royal wedding

While Princess Kate's arrival was highly anticipated, so was Queen Elizabeth II's – and the monarch stunned in a butter yellow ensemble.

Knowing the late Queen's temperament, we're sure she wouldn't have minded the bustling aisle, and instead, all her focus would have been on her beloved grandson, William.

WATCH: Take a look back at the incredible royal wedding day

Lifestyle Editor, Nichola Murphy explains the protocol behind the arrival: "The royal family typically arrive at formal events, such as weddings, in order of rank. At the time of the Prince and Princess of Wales' royal wedding, etiquette dictated that Queen Elizabeth II, who was the most senior, was the last person to arrive before the bride.

Prince William holds the hand of his bride Catherine© Getty Images
Prince William holds the hand of his bride inside Westminster Abbey

"Technically, since Marina had already arrived, she didn't break etiquette - but I feel for her nonetheless! If it brings her any comfort, other celebrities also suffered mishaps at the royal wedding, such as David Beckham wearing his OBE medal on his right lapel."

How do Ben Fogle and Prince William know each other?

The presenter filmed with Princes William and Harry in 2010 for a safari show in Africa, but that wasn't Ben's first meeting with William.

Prince William poses with TV presenter Ben Fogle in 2010 in Maun, Botswana© Getty Images
Prince William poses with TV presenter Ben Fogle in 2010 in Maun, Botswana

"I met him many years ago. Marina’s family know William. It's how I got to know him, and I’ve seen how loyal everyone is around him."

Ben's wife Marina's sister, Olivia Hunt, actually once dated William, but William's relationship with the family continued after the relationship didn't pan out.

Ben upstages Princes William and Harry

The heartbreaking truth behind Prince Harry’s school experience revealed© Getty
The princes went under the radar in Africa

The TV legend has since recalled an incident while filming in Africa where he accidentally upstaged both William and Harry. Speaking to Lorraine, Ben said: "I was in Botswana, making a film about conservation work with Prince William and Harry - a number of years ago now, and a guide of ours rushed up to all three of us, and said, 'Oh my gosh! I can't believe you are here' and I assumed he was talking to one of the princes, but he recognised me."

 He continued: "I obviously felt quite proud, thinking he recognised me from my rowing the Atlantic show or one of the hundreds of shows I have done throughout the years, and he said, 'Your show Cash in the Attic was my favourite'."

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