Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, was the eldest son of Prince George, Duke of Kent, and Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark, while Katharine Worsley was the only daughter and fourth child of landowner Sir William Worsley, 4th Baronet.

It was the first royal wedding held in York Minster since Edward III married Philippa of Hainault in 1328.

[2] The engagement of the Duke of Kent to Katharine Worsley was announced by the groom's mother, Princess Marina, on 8 March 1961 at Kensington Palace.

The Duke presented Worsley with an engagement ring made of an oval sapphire with round diamonds on either side.

[5] The bride's wedding dress, designed by John Cavanagh on the recommendation of her future mother-in-law, was made of 237 yards of French-made diaphanous white silk gauze.

[10] She anchored her white tulle veil with a diamond bandeau tiara which belonged to the bridegroom's late grandmother, Queen Mary.

[13] They would marry the following year and accede to the Spanish throne in 1975. Notable guests in attendance included:[5][14] The reception was held at Hovingham Hall.