The Worst Royal Wedding Nights In History

Before his wedding, rumors swirled about William III, the Prince of Orange's sexual orientation, per History Ireland. The royal wedding night did little to assuage the gossip, as reported in James Johnson's "A Profane Wit: The Life of John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester." In fact, the cool reception he showed his bride, Mary II, on

Before his wedding, rumors swirled about William III, the Prince of Orange's sexual orientation, per History Ireland. The royal wedding night did little to assuage the gossip, as reported in James Johnson's "A Profane Wit: The Life of John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester." In fact, the cool reception he showed his bride, Mary II, on their honeymoon soon became the fodder of gossip among Europe's nobility. Just 15 years old, Mary II had cried for days after learning she had to marry her 26-year-old cousin, which likely put an extra damper on the whole situation.

William of Orange kept his bride and the king of England, Charles II, waiting until midnight while he went into town to grab a bite to eat. His lack of interest and presence at the bedding ritual raised eyebrows. What's more, when he arrived for the big event, he refused to remove the woolen drawers he wore. When the king of England suggested he remove them, he said simply he'd grown accustomed to wearing them to bed and wasn't about to change.

Adding to the awkwardness of the whole event was Charles II. According to Kevin Haddick-Flynn's "Orangeism: A Historical Profile," the king acted drunk and cheered on the newlyweds, proclaiming, "Now nephew, to work! Saint George for England!" Despite the English king's enthusiasm, the couple never welcomed an heir.

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