Queen Drops In On Manchester Wedding, Stuns Newlywed Couple

Royal Wedding Crasher: Queen Elizabeth II Turns Up At Wedding

A newlywed couple had a royal wedding of their very own Friday when the Queen made an unexpected appearance at their Manchester ceremony, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Joined by Prince Philip, the Queen met John and Frances Canning who had reserved the Manchester Town Hall well before the royal visit was announced, notes the BBC.

"It was surreal, I couldn't believe it," bride Frances Canning told the Sun.

"The Queen spoke to us by our first names. She said I looked lovely and she wanted to wish us all the best for the future," she said.

But the visit wasn't unprompted, explains the Manchester Evening News. After learning the Queen would be in Manchester as part of her Diamond Jubilee--honoring 60 years as Britain's monarch--the groom wrote a letter to Buckingham Palace inviting her to attend the wedding.

Though she politely declined the invitation, it was secretly arranged for the Queen to meet with the bride and groom to avoid spoiling the couple's day.

To top it off, the royals even stuck around for photos after giving a royal blessing to the couple.

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