Ella Mountbatten Weds Insurance Broker in Traditional Yet Modern Celebration

Ella Mountbatten, daughter of King Charles's cousin Lord Ivar Mountbatten, recently married insurance broker Fergus Wright in a ceremony that blended tradition with contemporary touches. The wedding, which took place earlier this month, saw approximately 200 guests in attendance, including Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh. Prince Edward, Ella's godfather, played the special role of signing the marriage register.

The ceremony was held at St Luke's Church in Milland, West Sussex. Ella, who studied at Bristol University, and Fergus, an Edinburgh University graduate, began their romance during the pandemic. They had been housemates in Clapham after graduating when Ella's planned move to New York was canceled.

Ella's father, Lord Ivar Mountbatten, was accompanied by his husband, James Coyle. Lord Ivar made history in 2018 as the first member of the extended royal family to have a same-sex wedding. Ella's mother, Penny, who divorced Lord Ivar amicably in 2011 after 17 years of marriage, attended with her current partner, Toby Constantine.

In a modern twist, Ella delivered a speech at the reception, a role traditionally reserved for the father of the bride, groom, or best man. "When else are you going to get all your favourite people in one place to say thanks for all the effort that everyone put in?" she told the Daily Mail. She also noted that several friends have given speeches at recent weddings, inspiring her own.

The bride wore a bespoke ivory silk-satin gown by Ella May London, featuring a corseted bodice, full skirt, and a sweeping train. She chose a delicate Moussaieff leaf-motif tiara instead of a heavier family heirloom. For the reception, Ella changed into a shimmering backless top and a dramatic fringed skirt, designed in collaboration with her sister Luli.

Following the ceremony, the newlyweds made their exit in the original Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car, a childhood dream of Ella's. Her godmother, Mary Montagu Scott, had even taken special driving lessons for the occasion.

The reception was held at Great Trippetts Estate, the home of Ella's uncle George Mountbatten, 4th Marquess of Milford Haven, and his wife Clare. This venue provided a solution after Lord Ivar sold Bridwell Park, the family's former Devon estate where Ella had lived for 27 years, just months before her engagement.

"It was slightly annoying timing," Ella said, "But it worked out because my father now lives literally next to his brother. Actually, it was such a perfect place to get married. I'm very grateful to my uncle."

A remarkable coincidence emerged when it was discovered that Fergus had unknowingly booked their honeymoon at Tongabezi lodge in Zambia, the same location where Lord Ivar had taken Penny on their honeymoon approximately three decades prior.

The wedding cake was a tower of mochi, soft Japanese rice cakes, inspired by Penny's nickname for her daughter. The couple's first dance was to Fred Again and Obongjayar's "Adore U."

Ella acknowledged that much of the day passed in a blur due to the scale of the celebrations. "I honestly wish I could have been more present in all the moments," she said. "That's why it's so nice hearing everyone's perspective of the day."