Prince Charles’ goddaughter India Hicks has said it’s ‘been really lovely saying, “my husband”‘ after wedding her beau of 26 years David Flint Wood last year – as she reveals a stunning selection of photos from her ‘very English countryside’ nuptials.
The granddaughter of Earl Mountbatten, 54, who was a bridesmaid at the wedding of Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, shared an unseen photo album of her big day – which took place on September 10 2021 at Brightwell Baldwin Parish Church in Oxfordshire – with American bridal magazine Brides.
India, a mother of five, said that she had been saying, “No, no, I did not, I wasn’t married.” It didn’t make sense for me to become someone’s wife. His vows didn’t have to be said. In fact, it was something that I felt I had to do. His wife was the one I wanted to be. It was meaningful to go together to a church. It was wonderful to hear my husband say it, and my wife repeat it.
The bride shared a selection of spectacular photographs from her ceremony, in which India’s bridesmaids were led by her daughter Domino, who like her mother wore an Emilia Wickstead gown. Eloise and Paloma Louboutin, Christian Louboutin’s twin daughters aged six years each, were also present.
Prince Charles ‘ goddaughter India Hicks has said it’s ‘been really lovely saying, “my husband”‘ after wedding her beau of 26 years David Flint Wood last year – as she reveals a stunning selection of photos (pictured) from her ‘very English countryside’ nuptials
Earl Mountbatten’s granddaughter (pictured right, with Lady Pamela Hicks), 54 shared photos of the big day with Brides magazine.
India and David were seen also cutting the three-tier wedding cake with white roses. The lavish celebration took place at an outdoor marquee on the evening before.
Her eldest son walked the bride down the aisle, and her three other sons followed her. She donned a borrowed brooch from her mother Lady Pamela Hicks, who she can be seen with in a touching photo ahead of the bride’s nuptials.
The couple enjoyed a party the night before with 100 guests – and said they were ‘proud’ none of those invited ‘had Covid or left with it’ – before heading to a pub lunch with their loved ones after their traditional nuptials.
One of their sons read the reading, and there were many hymns.
‘We wanted it to feel very English countryside, and totally unpretentious,’ said India. ‘I’m a planner, so I planned my own wedding from the party the night before to the pub lunch to what the bridesmaids were going to wear to where my mother would draw up in a car to the stamps that went on the invitations to the colour of the flowers – every part, every moment, every detail of a wedding, I planned. It was a great experience.
India, mother-of-5, said as she reflected on her wedding (pictured): “For 26 years, I had said, “No, we didn’t, and I didn’t need to get married.” It didn’t make sense for me to become someone’s wife. His vows didn’t have to be said. In fact, it was something that I felt I had to do. His wife was the one I wanted to be. It was meaningful to go together to a church. My husband and his wife have said it so beautifully.
Pictured with her mother, the bride, and her daughter, India, are sharing a number of stunning photographs taken at her wedding. India’s maids of honor were led by Domino, her daughter, who wore an Emilia Wickstead dress, as did her mother. Christian Louboutin’s twin girls, Paloma (age six), and Eloise (6 years old) were the others.
India and David also cut their 3-tiered wedding cake (pictured), which was decorated with white roses during their extravagant reception. This took place at an outdoor marquee on the evening before the wedding.
While her youngest son walked her down the aisle, her three younger sons did so in front. She donned a borrowed brooch from her mother Lady Pamela Hicks, who she can be seen with in a touching photo ahead of the bride’s nuptials
‘Was I, perhaps, over-invested? Certainly, but I think most brides will be, aren’t we?’ she added. ‘I was very aware of Covid! Since my mother, who was 92 years old, we wanted everyone to complete a test. We were extremely fortunate that it was not sent with anyone; nobody left it behind; and no one even had it. I’m very proud of that.’
India wore an Indian mermaid gown with lace details and ribbon sleeves by Naeem Khan on the night. She wore a custom-made ivory lace dress by Emilia Wickstead on her wedding day. It took 17 months for the design.
‘Emilia Wickstead created a dress that felt perfectly at home in a church deep in the English countryside,’ India reflected. Christian Louboutin heels completed the bridal look.
She added that the diamond brooch ‘with a touch of blue’ that she borrowed, which had belonged to her grandmother, was pinned to the back of her dress.
‘Emilia Wickstead didn’t want anything on the front because she thought it would ruin the look- the very clean look that we’ve spent 17 months designing.’
The couple (pictured David with his sons) enjoyed a party the night before with 100 guests – and said they were ‘proud’ none of those invited ‘had Covid or left with it’ – before heading to a pub lunch with their loved ones after their traditional nuptials
The ceremony included a reading from one of the sons, and many hymns. India, getting ready to celebrate her special day
India, pictured right, wore a white long mermaid gown with lace details and ribbon sleeves by Naeem Khan on the night. India, India’s little girl.
India was pictured on her wedding day with her mother and sister. She wore an ivory lace custom made gown by Emilia Wickstead. The dress took India 17 months to make.
India (pictured on her wedding day) added that the diamond brooch ‘with a touch of blue’ that she borrowed, which had belonged to her grandmother, was pinned to the back of her dress
‘My daughter Domino, as always, was my shadow,” India added. ‘We spent the night before the wedding curled in bed together at my mother’s house, whilst David was with his brothers, sons, and best man.’
Describing the moment she walked down the aisle, India said: ‘I was overcome with the sensation of being in exactly the right place at exactly the right time – there by the altar was the man I would finally call my husband with all five of our children witnessing the ceremony about to happen.’
India took off her wedding wing designed by Charlotte Chenais, which was chosen by David in Paris last spring, after they had exchanged vows. Engraved inside are the words ‘amor vincit omnia’, which means ‘Love conquers all’ in Latin.
Following the nuptials, the newlyweds took their guests to family-run Lord Nelson Pub, where they all celebrated with Bloody Mary’s, Pimm’s, and lunch outside.
Describing the moment she walked down the aisle, India (pictured) said: ‘I was overcome with the sensation of being in exactly the right place at exactly the right time – there by the altar was the man I would finally call my husband with all five of our children witnessing the ceremony about to happen.’
Inside the church (pictured left) her son Conrad read a passage by Morgan Harper Nichols, an African American Christian writer, while friend of the couple Charles Finch, read the Psalm of David, which had been printed in the order of service in David’s own handwriting
Instead of hurrying off on their honeymoon, they spent their weekend at home with their children.
‘Looking back, that was the most special moment, reliving every wonderful memory of the wedding, just absorbing it and feeling the warmth from it and not having to rush off or pack or get on an aeroplane or go anywhere,’ said the bride.
Reflecting on her decision to get married, India said: ‘David was stunned, all the way up to the very last minute. He’d say, “I still haven’t accepted your offer.” So it was surprising to find him waiting for me at the altar.
We were probably all stunned until the last minute. I won’t ever forget driving to the church with my two eldest children. Felix followed me behind, Wesley driving. Felix replied “Mum,” “This feels so strange and so different from you.” “I’m sure you understand,” Felix replied behind my veil. It was like we were going to get a tattoo or drink.
The newlyweds spent their weekend at home with their children instead of hurrying off to honeymoon.
Reflecting on her decision to get married, India (pictured left) said: ‘David was stunned, all the way up to the very last minute. He’d say, “I still haven’t accepted your offer.” So it was surprising to find him waiting for me at the altar’
She continued: ‘I didn’t really expect being married to feel any different than not being married. For 26 years, we had been in a love-filled relationship.
‘But it took my breath away to find how spiritual it felt to walk into the church on the arm of my eldest son and to say those vows to David in front of all our friends and family, in the church where I had been christened and where my father lay buried just outside. It felt intensely intimate.’
Jamie Cullum (jazz singer) and Sophie Dahl, Sophie’s ex-model wife, were among the high-profile guests to the glamorous affair. Brooke Shields from America and Christian Louboutin the legendary shoe designer are also on the list.
The stylish reception was decorated with cascading foliage while dinner was held on a simple oak table decorated with greenery, white roses and candles, while bulb string lights were scattered around the tent.
India’s son Felix, 24, walked her down the aisle and the mother carried a bouquet by Pulbrook & Gould London . In 1960, the company made India’s mother’s bouquet. Right, India getting ready for her wedding and reception
The bride was driven to the church – which is where she was christened and where her father is buried – by her son Wesley (pictured together) in David’s 1966 Mercedes Cabriolet
Lady Pamela Hicks (the bride’s mom), was also present at the celebrations wearing a navy silk shirt and hat. The bride was seated in a wheelchair. Photo of the bride and her family
Inside the church her son Conrad read a passage by Morgan Harper Nichols, an African American Christian writer, while friend of the couple Charles Finch, read the Psalm of David, which had been printed in the order of service in David’s own handwriting.
India’s son Felix, 24, walked her down the aisle and the mother carried a bouquet by Pulbrook & Gould London. The company poignantly made her mother’s wedding bouquet in 1960.
The bride was driven to the church – which is where she was christened and where her father is buried – by her son Wesley in David’s 1966 Mercedes Cabriolet. After his mother’s death from cancer, India and David adopted Wesley to the Bahamas.
Lady Pamela Hicks was the bride’s mother and attended the celebrations in a navy blue silk shirt and hat. In a wheelchair, she joined the festivities.