LONDON, ENGLAND – October 13, 2025 – In a heartwarming nod to enduring love, Princess Eugenie marked her seventh wedding anniversary with husband Jack Brooksbank by sharing a never-before-seen snapshot from their magical 2018 nuptials. The intimate photo, posted on her Instagram, captures a tender embrace that has royal watchers swooning all over again. But as fans scrolled through nostalgic wedding throwbacks, eagle-eyed observers unearthed a quirky detail from the big day that’s sparking endless chatter: an empty chair in the front pew at St. George’s Chapel. What could it mean? The real story behind that vacant seat is a touching tribute to royal tradition and grandmotherly affection – and it’s got everyone talking.

Their October 12, 2018, ceremony at St. George’s Chapel was a who’s-who of royalty, with little Prince George and Princess Charlotte stealing hearts as pageboy and bridesmaid. Among the 850 guests were the era’s biggest names: a teary-eyed Jack walking his bride down the aisle (a role he took on to honor Eugenie’s absent grandfather), and a front-row lineup including Sarah Ferguson, Princess Beatrice, and Zara and Mike Tindall. But wait – rewind those archival clips. There’s that empty chair on the far left of the prime front-row pew, right next to where Prince Andrew eventually settled beside Fergie. Social media exploded back then (and is buzzing anew today) with theories: Was it a solemn nod to a lost loved one? A no-show VIP? Or just bad planning?

Hold onto your tiaras, because the truth is far more enchanting – and quintessentially royal. It all boils down to protocol, comfort, and an unbreakable grandmother-granddaughter pact with the late Queen Elizabeth II. As per longstanding Windsor etiquette, the monarch and senior royals claim the right-hand choir pews at St. George’s Chapel – the spots hugging the altar for the best vantage. Crucially, no one sits in front of Her Majesty; her view must remain crystal clear, unobstructed by hats, heads, or hype. That primo front-row seat? The Queen nixed it for herself, deeming it too uncomfortable for her liking. Instead, she cozied into the second row with Prince Philip, flanked by then-Prince Charles, William and Kate Middleton, and newlyweds Harry and Meghan (fresh off their own chapel vows just months earlier).

This thoughtful tweak ensured “Grannie” – as Eugenie affectionately called her – had an uninterrupted eyeful of her granddaughter’s joyous vows. It was a small gesture with big heart, allowing the Queen to beam at Eugenie without a single soul blocking the magic. And let’s not forget their special tiara connection: As a wide-eyed girl, Eugenie was promised the dazzling Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara (a 1942 heirloom from the Queen Mother). Elizabeth kept her word, even turning down Meghan’s polite borrow request earlier that year. “For the wedding of Eugenie and Jack, the small detail [of the empty chair] meant that the Queen was comfortable and could get a full view of her granddaughter as she married the love of her life,” as one report poetically put it.

The Queen’s absence from that seat feels even more poignant now, three years after her 2022 passing. Eugenie and Beatrice poured their hearts into a raw Instagram tribute ahead of her funeral: “We’ve not been able to put much into words since you left us all… You were our matriarch, our guiding hand… Thank you for making us laugh, for including us, for picking heather and raspberries, for our teas, for comfort, for joy.” Eugenie later shared hopes that her firstborn, August (born 2021), would inherit “her patience, her calmness, and her kindness, while always being able to laugh at himself and keep a twinkle in his eye.” Little brother Ernest arrived in 2023, carrying on the legacy.

Today, as Eugenie and Jack – parents to their boisterous boys – juggle life between London’s Ivy Cottage at Kensington Palace and sunny Portugal (where Jack reps Discovery Land Company’s luxe developments) – this anniversary double-feature reminds us why their story endures. From a surprise snap to a selfless seat, it’s all about love, legacy, and leaving room for the ones who matter most. Here’s to seven years… and seven hundred more. What a royally riveting ride.

The couple tied the knot at St George’s Chapel in Windsor on 12 October 2018, with Prince George and Princess Charlotte among those chosen to be in their bridal party. Eugenie, Jack, and their two children, Ernest and August now split their time between Ivy Cottage at Kensington Palace in London and Portugal, where Jack works at a property development business, Discovery Land Company.

The anniversary post, simply captioned “Happy Anniversary… 7 years and counting!”, arrived like a burst of confetti on October 12, exactly seven years after Eugenie and Jack said “I do.” In the exclusive image, snapped by acclaimed Canadian photographer Sandra von Riekhoff, Jack, 39, wraps his arms around his bride from behind in a quiet, post-ceremony moment. Eugenie, 35, faces away from the lens, her silhouette elegant in a custom pale pink suede jacket – a sweet touch personalized with “Brooksbank” subtly embroidered on the back in matching thread. Von Riekhoff, who documented the couple’s big day, also treated followers to bonus behind-the-scenes gems, including one of Eugenie gazing thoughtfully from the back seat of a vintage Bentley en route to the chapel. There, she donned her stunning Lowther Hill gown by designers Peter Pilotto and Christopher de Vos: a masterpiece with a daring low V-back (showcasing her scoliosis scar as a symbol of strength), portrait neckline, flowing full skirt, and delicate embroidery of the White Rose of York – a heartfelt homage to her parents, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, the Duke and Duchess of York.

This latest reveal is the cherry on top of a love story that’s straight out of a fairy tale. Eugenie and Jack first locked eyes in 2010 on the snowy slopes of Verbier, Switzerland, during a ski trip. “Love at first sight,” Eugenie gushed in their 2018 engagement interview. Seven years of adventures later, Jack dropped to one knee by a shimmering lake in Nicaragua, bathed in what Eugenie called “a special light I had never seen.” Despite the long courtship, the proposal caught her off guard: “I was over the moon… a complete surprise. But it was the perfect moment; we couldn’t be happier.” He sealed the deal with a stunning ring centered on a rare padparadscha sapphire, encircled by sparkling diamonds – a gem as unique as their bond.