According to royal experts, Pippa Middleton was concerned that Meghan Markle would “overshadow” her on her wedding day.

On May 20, 2017, the Duchess of Cambridge’s younger sister married James Matthew in a magnificent wedding at St Mark’s Church in Englefield, with nephew Prince George and niece Princess Charlotte serving as pageboy and bridesmaid, respectively.

Kate chose not to be a bridesmaid or maid of honour in order to keep all eyes on the bride.

Judy Wade, an author and royal journalist, told People magazine that she chose not to “upstage her sister,” and instead served as Pippa’s matron of honour.

But the primary concern was Meghan Markle, who had only recently begun dating Prince Harry.

Their romance, which they had successfully kept hidden for five months, was again in the spotlight, and royal admirers were eager to see the new couple together.

According to the report, Pippa and her mother Carole were anxious that Meghan’s attendance would “overshadow the primary event.”

The writers also say that on the day of the wedding, a headline comparing Pippa and Meghan’s bottoms was the final straw.

“Harry and Meghan agreed that she couldn’t possibly show up at the chapel, barely fifty yards away from a specially organised media pen, after such a vulgar cover storey,” they wrote.

“If they had been concerned that their presence would spark a media frenzy despite their best efforts, they now had no doubt that it would.

“Meghan’s church gown and Philip Treacy hat would have to wait till another occasion.”

Instead, Harry left Meghan off at another wedding guest’s Airbnb before driving alone to the chapel.

During this time, Meghan prepared for the reception and awaited Harry’s return so they could have lunch together before returning to the Middletons’ home for the evening ceremonies.

But when they arrived, Meghan wasn’t able to spend the evening with Harry at her side as she had hoped.

“Sitting together in the bespoke glass marquee that has been constructed on the eighteen-acre property should have been a delightful night for the pair,” Scobie and Durand write, “but, per Pippa’s request, no couples sat together.”