George and Charlotte's Starring Moment! Pippa Confirms That the Young Royals WILL be Page Boy and Bridesmaid on Her Big Day (But There's No Official Role for Kate)
- Pippa, 33, will marry James Matthews at St Marks' Church in Englefield, Berkshire, on 20 May
- As these interior shots show, there are plenty of seats for her royal family and society friends
- The 12th-century St Mark’s is six miles from Bucklebury where Pippa grew up
- On private estate owned by Tory MP Richard Benyon, so no joy for gawpers hoping to catch a glimpse of bride
Daily Mail UK, 11 April 2017
Royal fans have been eagerly hoping to see Princess Charlotte as an adorable bridesmaid and proud Prince George accompanying Pippa down the aisle as page boy.
And now, following months of speculation, the bride-to-be has finally confirmed that her niece and nephew will be given these roles on her big day on May 20, when she ties the knot with financier James Matthews at St Marks' Church in Englefield, Berkshire.
Spencer Matthews, James's reality TV star brother, will be best man, but it's also been confirmed that there's no official role for Kate, despite Pippa acting as her bridesmaid when she married William in 2011.
According to tradition, Pippa would have to make Kate the maid of honour rather than a bridesmaid, a role that goes to an unmarried female family member.
However, the royal was said to be anxious not to upstage her younger sister, 33, on her big day and although at one point she was rumoured to be giving a reading, a source has confirmed that she will be taking a backseat during the nuptials.
Prince Harry is also officially on the guest list, although there's still no word on whether he'll be allowed to bring his girlfriend Meghan Markle who he will have been dating for almost a year by the time the wedding comes around.
Princess Charlotte and Prince George will act as bridesmaid and page boy for their aunt Pippa on her wedding day on May 20, the bride has confirmed
Prince George, three, will accompany his aunt down the aisle as a page boy, while the groom's brother Spencer Matthews is best man
The sisters are known to be incredibly close, but Kate won't be taking on a formal role as she's eager not to upstage the bride
The 12th-century St Mark’s is six miles from Bucklebury where Pippa grew up. It is on a private estate owned by Tory MP Richard Benyon
Pippa's wedding will also be a lot more of an intimate affair that her sister's nuptials at Westminster Abbey where she exchanged her vows in front of some 2,000 guests.
As these interior shots show, there are plenty of seats for her royal family and society friends and lots of outdoor space for confetti throwing and photos following the ceremony.
The 12th-century St Mark’s is six miles from Bucklebury where Pippa grew up. It is on a private estate owned by Tory MP Richard Benyon, so no joy for gawpers hoping to catch a glimpse of the bride.
The Duchess of Cambridge's little sister shot to public attention when she wore a bottom-hugging bridesmaid's dress at the royal wedding in 2011.
Pippa Middleton will tie the knot on 20 May at St Marks' Church in Englefield, Berkshire, with the reception taking place back at the Middleton family home in Bucklebury a few miles away
Pippa is said to have wanted a smaller, more intimate 'family' wedding when she weds wealthy hedge fund trader James Matthews compared to her sister's lavish wedding
Pippa Middleton and fiance James Matthews at a Christmas Day church service in Englefield
But she is said to have wanted a smaller, more intimate 'family' wedding when she weds wealthy hedge fund trader James Matthews.
The couple are believed to be setting a marquee up in the garden of Michael and Carole Middleton's mansion in Bucklebury a few miles away with posh Portaloos brought in for the occasion.
Trendy designer Giles Deacon is rumoured to be making Pippa's dress after he was spotted carrying garment bags into the £17 million house with his and hers bathrooms she and James share in London.
Likewise, society milliner Stephen Jones was last week seen leaving James and Pippa’s house, carrying an enormous bag - hinting that a spectacular head dress and veil may be in the offing.
Chelsea florist Lavender Green is arranging the flowers – likely to include spring blooms like daffodils.
The couple are believed to be setting a marquee up in the garden of Michael and Carole Middleton's mansion after the church service