When you think of a royal wedding, you probably picture poise, tradition, and flawless choreography.
But even the most regal occasions come with their fair share of behind-the-scenes nerves—and a surprising dose of humour.
On Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding day back in May 2018, St George’s Chapel was filled with not just royals and dignitaries, but also plenty of butterflies in stomachs.
As nearly two billion people tuned in across the globe and fans packed the streets of Windsor, the pressure was palpable.
Yet amid the tension, Queen Elizabeth proved once again why she was the family’s master of dry wit, easing nerves in the most classic way—through humour.
A Photographer’s Royal Welcome
Photographer Alexi Lubomirski, who’d already taken the couple’s engagement photos, was brought back to capture their big day.
Seven years later, he shared a video on TikTok revealing what it was really like behind the lens at the royal wedding.
He admitted he was nervous—understandably so.
Wanting to impress, he asked Prince Harry for advice on photographing the royal family. Harry’s tip? Work fast.
“My grandparents have taken so many pictures in their lives, it’s not their fun part,” he reportedly warned.
“If you don’t get it quickly, they’re just going to move out.”
True to form, the Queen and Prince Philip showed up before the set was even ready.
Alexi recalls apologizing, saying, “I’m terribly sorry, your Majesty, we’re going to be about five minutes.”
The Queen replied, completely unfazed: “It’s not me you need to worry about.” Translation: brace yourself for Philip.
Philip’s Legendary Impatience with Photographers
That little quip wasn’t just for show. Prince Philip had a well-earned reputation for not suffering photographers gladly.
One infamous moment came during the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain in 2015, when the then 94-year-old lost his patience while sitting for a photo with fellow veterans.
He shouted at the photographer, “Just take the f****** picture!” as Prince William stood behind him, smiling awkwardly.
Veteran royal photographer Arthur Edwards once reflected on his experiences, saying that working with the Queen was “an absolute joy,” but Prince Philip? Not so much.
“He had not a lot of time for the media,” he said, likening Philip’s attitude to treating photographers like “telegraph poles.”
Still, not everyone saw him as prickly. Photographer Samir Hussein, who spent 15 years snapping shots of the Duke, said Philip’s dry humour and mischievous streak made him enjoyable to work with.
Even the Queen Had Her Limits
Queen Elizabeth, though famously composed, wasn’t always thrilled to be on the other side of the camera either.
Celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz got a taste of this in 2007 when shooting the Queen for a BBC documentary.
Hoping to photograph Her Majesty on horseback at Windsor Castle, she was instead given 25 minutes at Buckingham Palace.
The Queen arrived late, not amused, and reportedly said, “I don’t have much time.”
Let’s just say, she wasn’t in the mood for posing.
Royal Grumbles Aren’t New
And the royal impatience isn’t just limited to Elizabeth and Philip.
King Charles had his own on-mic slip-up in 2005 while skiing in Switzerland with Princes William and Harry.
Caught unaware by a hot mic, he muttered, “Bloody people.
I hate doing this,” and took aim at a BBC royal correspondent, saying, “I can’t bear that man.
He’s so awful, he really is.” Not exactly Buckingham Palace PR-approved.
Jitters on the Big Day
The Sussexes weren’t immune to the day’s emotional weight either.
Body language expert Judi James noted that Harry looked visibly anxious upon entering St George’s Chapel—wringing his hands, fiddling with gloves, and adjusting his frockcoat no less than 12 times.
According to expert lip reader Terry Ruane, Harry was so nervous he turned to Prince William to ask, “Is Meghan here?” Later, the groom joked, “My hair is going to go grey.”
And Meghan had her own candid moment. After their horse-drawn carriage completed the Long Walk, she reportedly turned to Harry and said, “Oh f***!”—a reaction caught on camera as she clutched her chest, clearly overwhelmed.
Harry, meanwhile, was seen saying, “I’m ready for a drink now.”
A Day of Love, Laughter, and a Few F-Bombs
Despite the nerves and impatience, there were genuine moments of levity, humanity, and connection.
Even Queen Elizabeth, usually a symbol of stoicism, showed her softer, funnier side. And in that sense, the day was more than just a historical event—it was a reminder that the royals, for all their formality, are human too.
Who Is Alexi Lubomirski?
Alexi Lubomirski isn’t just the man behind the Sussexes’ dreamy wedding and engagement photos—he’s a fashion photography heavyweight.
Born in the UK to a Peruvian-English mother and a Polish-French father, Alexi grew up partly in Botswana and trained under the legendary Mario Testino in Paris.
He’s photographed everyone from Angelina Jolie and Beyoncé to Julia Roberts and Nicole Kidman, gracing covers of magazines like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.
Despite his celebrity status, Alexi had never done an engagement shoot before Harry and Meghan.
But their chemistry made the job easy. “They were so deliciously in love,” he said, recalling how little directing was needed.
The prince-photographer (yes, he’s actually a Polish prince by heritage) has also written books—one offering advice to his sons and another highlighting underrepresented beauty in fashion.
All proceeds go to Concern Worldwide, a charity fighting global poverty, where he serves as an ambassador.