Margaret Abrams on how Grace van Cutsem quickly became an Internet sensation - and what she's up to now
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The year was 2011 and it was a much simpler time. Prince William still had a full head of hair. Prince Harry didn’t live in Los Angeles with a Suits star. And friends were allowed to gather in groups of 10 to enjoy the royal wedding.
The royal wedding was one for the ages, with brides asking for Kate’s glorious gown and Pippa’s slinky white dress inspiring wedding parties all over the world.
But one of the most memorable moments came from a young bridesmaid who was downright grumpy. As the rest of the world looked on in awe, she looked like she’d rather be anywhere else, inspiring memes aplenty.
The grumpy bridesmaid was then 3-year-old Grace van Cutsem, who was captured looking forlorn as the royal couple kissed behind her like a Disney prince and princess during the Happily Ever After. The noise from the crowd proved too much for the tot's tiny ears.
She was temporarily Internet famous, also known as the Royal Wedding Girl and Frowning Flower Girl.
While she likely didn’t attend Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding (she was not spotted pouting in the crowd), her younger cousin did the family proud.
Prince Harry’s goddaughter Florence van Cutsem, 3, was a bridesmaid, although her presence did not spark a thousand memes.
The Van Cutsem family is quite close with the royals, as Grace’s grandfather, Hugh van Cutsem was one of Prince Charles' closest pals after the pair met at Cambridge.
Grace’s parents are Rose Astor and Hugh van Cutsem , who were married in 2005.
Prince William was an usher at their wedding and is Grace’s godfather. They’ve given Grace (now 12) two younger brothers, Rafe and Charles.
Rose Astor is from the New York Astor family - William Waldorf Astor was once the richest person in America (think Waldorf Astoria and Astor Place).
She spoke to the Sunday Times about raising her children and said while she previously homeschooled them temporarily in Sri Lanka, they now attend a private school for "practical reasons."
She said, "I just want them to be happy, confident and have good manners and a work ethic.
Astor, a yoga instructor who vibes out to Fleetwood Mac, used to document their lives on Instagram, including trips to Sri Lanka and yoga lessons, although she has apparently now deleted her Instagram or made it private.
She was active on Twitter until last year. She mentioned her kids' favorite song was ‘I Took a Pill in Ibiza.’
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