Royal Engagements

Not a week goes by without some prediction on when an engagement will be announced between Prince William and Kate Middleton. New Years? Birthdays? Valentine's Day? Christmas? One day someone will be right, but for now we're left to speculate. Looking back on the last 150 years engagements have been announced at various times. Note the short time between the engagement and the wedding dates!

Spring Engagements

King George V and Queen Mary: May 3rd, 1893 (Married July 6th, 1893)

Princess Anne and Captain Mark Philips: May 29, 1973 (Married November 14, 1973)

Summer Engagements

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip: July 9, 1947 (Married November 20, 1947)

Autumn Engagements

King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra: September 9, 1862 (Married March 10, 1863)

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert: November 23rd 1839 (Married on February 10, 1840)

Princess Alexandra and Angus Ogilvy : November 19, 1962 (Married April 24, 1963)

Winter Engagements

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth: January 15, 1923 (Married April 23, 1923)

Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones : February 26, 1960 (Married May 6, 1960)

Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Katherine Worsley: March 8, 1961 (Married June 8, 1961)

Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer: February 24, 1981 (Married July 29, 1981)

Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson: March 19, 1986 (Married July 23, 1986)

Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones: January 6, 1999 (Married June 19, 1999)

Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles: February 10, 2005 (Married April 9, 2005)

Judging by this list, winter, specifically early in the year, seems to be the preferred season to announce engagements. Giving enough time to prepare for a summer royal wedding. Maybe predictions of a winter engagement for William and Kate may not be so far off after all?

Related Articles:

Royal Weddings
Royal Engagement Rings
Royal Wedding Dresses
Royal Wedding Trivia
Question: Royal Wedding Tradition?

© Marilyn Braun 2008