When it comes to royal protocol, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle don't always follow the rules. (Harry is sixth in line to the throne, so the pair don't have to quite the way that Will and Kate do.) And today, on their wedding day, the newlyweds just broke some of the biggest royal wedding traditions.
1. They wed on a Saturday
Royal weddings are traditionally held on weekdays, and then that day is granted a national bank holiday. Kate Middleton and Prince William were married on April 29, 2011, which was a Friday. Since Harry and Meghan chose to get married on a Saturday, May 19, is not a day off of work for British citizens.
2. Harry watched Meghan walk all the way down the aisle
In American wedding culture, it's traditional for the groom to watch the bride walk all the way to the altar. However, Myka Meira of Beaumont Etiquette told Good Housekeeping, "At a British wedding, the groom and his best man (or supporter) will face the altar as the bride walks down the aisle. He won’t turn to look at her until she is beside him."
Prince William kept with the tradition and only glanced backward at Kate Middleton walking down the aisle.
3. They chose an untraditional flavor for their wedding cake.
In March, Kensington Palace announced that Claire Ptak would be making Meghan and Harry's wedding cake. As for the flavor, the Palace tweeted, "Prince Harry and Ms. Markle have asked Claire to create a lemon elderflower cake that will incorporate the bright flavours of spring. It will be covered with buttercream and decorated with fresh flowers." Yum!
However, it's an age-old tradition that an special royal occasion—whether it's a wedding or a christening—is celebrated with fruitcake, a dessert made with candied or dried fruits, nuts, and spices. Despite being made with lemons, Meghan and Harry's cake doesn't quite make the cut.
The wedding cake is to be served at the Reception. It was designed by Claire Ptak and features elderflower syrup made at The Queen’s residence in Sandringham from the estate’s own elderflower trees, as well as a light sponge cake uniquely formulated for the couple. #royalwedding pic.twitter.com/kt5lE4tEn9May 19, 2018
4. Harry's wearing a wedding ring, and it's not Welsh gold
Unlike his brother who does not wear a wedding ring, Prince Harry is wearing one. It's traditional for brides in the royal family to wear Welsh gold rings, but Harry's is a textured platinum.
5. An American Bishop gave the wedding sermon
Bishop Michael Curry of the Episcopal Church gave the sermon during Meghan and Harry's ceremony, the first American bishop to do so at a royal wedding. He talked mostly about love, and even quoted Martin Luther King Jr. in his speech.
6. Music was provided by a cellist
Traditionally, an organ is played during royal weddings, but Meghan and Harry opted to have cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason (he's very dreamy, btw). According to CNN , "the rich tones of the cello played by award-winning young musician Sheku Kanneh-Mason again emphasized the couple's desire to break the mold."
Meghan and Harry have honored a number of other royal wedding traditions, including, making an official engagement announcement, having the bride wear a tiara on her wedding day, and presenting Meghan a Welsh gold wedding ring at the altar.
Since Harry is sixth in line for the throne, he can afford to break a few timeless traditions—and we're positive the newlyweds will continue to break many more rules down the road.
Follow along here as we report on the royal wedding in real-time—from the dress to the tiara to Harry and Meghan's most adorable moments.
