Kate Middleton's mum was forced to apologise over Pippa's wedding 'inconvenience'

Back in 2017, Pippa Middleton and James Spencer's nuptials caused controversy for a number of reasons.

Not only was her mother Carole - who is also mum to Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales - forced to issue a formal apology for a major disturbance on the night, but guests Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were kept apart for the entire festivities.

Let's start with the first 'inconvenience', shall we?

For those in need of a little reminder, Kate's little sister Pippa announced her engagement to British former professional racing driver and businessman back in 2016, after he popped the question during a vacay in the Lake District.

(This was also the same year that Harry and ex-Suits actress Meghan first went public with their romance, but that'll become relevant later...).

Pippa and James wed in 2017 (JUSTIN TALLIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

One of the most hotly-discussed aspects of the wedding was the disturbance that the afterparty inflicted upon the Middleton family's neighbours.

The initial ceremony took place at St Mark's Church, at Englefield Estate in Berkshire in May of that year, after which Pippa and James' reception was held at the Middleton's former home Oak Acre, which boasted a staggering 18-acre grounds.

Unfortunately, however, the colossal celebration saw noisy cars coming and going all day, and even a Spitfire plane fly-by.

As a result, Pippa's mother Carol was forced to apologise for any 'inconvenience' caused by the big day in advance, HELLO! reports.

Now, onto another juicy controversy.

Prince Harry and then-girlfriend Meghan - who themselves were set to tie the knot the following year - had also been invited to Pippa's nuptials that year, with Harry's big brother being Pippa's brother-in-law, Prince William.

And whilst Pippa and James' ceremony wasn't expected to be as lavish or brimmed with formalities as Kate and William's royal wedding had been in 2011, there was still certain royal regulations in place for attendees.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were reportedly kept apart for the day (DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images)

One of said rules was deemed highly controversial at the time, and saw the now-Sussexes kept apart for the festivity's preparations.

According to reports, Harry attended Pippa's wedding with big brother William, the two having been escorted from their royal residences in London.

Meghan, meanwhile, was understood to have been booked into an Airbnb in the area of South England, where she did her own hair and make-up for the big day.

The couple's separation didn't just apply to their arrivals to the ceremony, however, and according to HELLO!, Pippa had also made it perfectly clear that she didn't want Harry and Meghan sat side-by-side during the vows.

The magazine reported at the time that the Middletons were concerned that the media fascination with new lovers Harry and Meghan might overshadow Pippa and James' day.

As such, Meghan sat beside Roger Federer's wife Mirka, whilst Harry was perched next to ITV News at Ten presenter Tom Bradby.

Apparently, however, no couple were permitted to sit together during the ceremony, and the move wasn't personal to the Sussexes at all.