30 Strict Marriage Traditions the Royal Family Must Follow

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published 29 November 2017

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's romance has broken many age-old traditions. However, with just under 48 hours until the royal wedding, there are still some strict wedding rules we can expect them to abide by. Ahead, 30 marriage traditions that have existed throughout royal history.

1/30

The bride must wear white on her wedding day.

The well-known tradition actually started with Queen Victoria in 1840.

2/30

There's always an engagement announcement.

Could Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's get anymore adorable? Probably not.

3/30

They must take an official wedding portrait...

...like this one from Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding. Perhaps we'll get another peek at baby Prince Louis with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's portrait?

4/30

There's always an interview following the engagement announcement.

There's actually a big difference between Prince William and Prince Harry's interviews—from the atmosphere to the body language to the outfits. See for yourself here.

5/30

Queen Elizabeth sends out the wedding invitations.

The Queen sent out 1,900 invitations for Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding. Meghan and Harry's invitations were sent out in March.

6/30

The reception normally includes two cakes...

Would you LOOK at the details on Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding cake?

7/30

...and the traditional flavor is fruitcake.

On the left is the royal wedding cake of Prince Charles and Princess Diana in 1981, and on the right Prince William and Kate's from 2011. Harry and Meghan broke this tradition and chose a spring-inspired lemon elderflower cake. Learn more about the royal wedding menu here.

8/30

The bride leaves her bouquet at the grave of the "Unknown Warrior..."

...which is a spot in Westminister Abbey where all brides since the late Queen Mother have left their bouquets following the wedding. Meghan and Harry will marry in Windsor Castle, so they won't be following this tradition.

9/30

Speaking of bouquets, the bride always carries a sprig of myrtle.

Using this flower in the wedding bouquet is a royal tradition dating back to Queen Victoria. It’s known as the “herb of love.” Harry and Meghan enlisted florist Philippa Craddock to decorate their venue.

10/30

The most traditional site for a royal ceremony is the Chapel Royal at St. James Palace.

It housed the weddings of Queen Anne (1683), George III (1761), George IV (1795), Queen Victoria (1840), and George V (1893). Kate Middleton and Prince William's wedding took place in Westminister Abbey. Kensington Palace announced Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wedding will take place at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle—straying from tradition.

11/30

The bride always wears a tiara.

Queen Elizabeth gave the "Cambridge Lover's Knot Tiara" to Princess Diana as a wedding gift and it's often seen on Kate Middleton. This is the tiara Meghan may wear to her wedding.

12/30

The royal family typically travels in a Glass Coach to and from the wedding venue.

However, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge traveled by car and Princess Diana and Prince Charles took a carriage. Harry and Meghan will be riding in a carriage, as well, the first time we see them as a married couple.

13/30

They have designated "page boys" for the wedding.

A.k.a. groomsmen. The page boys and bridesmaids of Prince William's wedding are pictured above. Prince George was a page boy at Pippa Middleton's wedding and will also be a page boy at Harry and Meghan's wedding. See the full list of bridesmaids and page boys here.

14/30

If the bridegroom is a member of the royal family, he has "supporters" instead of a best man.

However, Prince William broke this tradition when he named his brother best man. According to The Guardian, "Bridegrooms in royal weddings traditionally chose a 'supporter' instead of a best man. The Prince of Wales chose his brother Prince Andrew to be his supporter when he married Diana at St Paul's Cathedral in 1981." Harry chose William to be his best man as well.

15/30

All royal wedding bands contain Welsh gold.

This began with the wedding of the Queen's late mother in 1923. It's three times more valuable than gold from Australia or South Africa (!!!). Speaking of rings, you can get a peek at Meghan Markle's engagement ring here and see our predictions on what her wedding ring will look like here.

16/30

The royal family pays for the wedding...

...even though American tradition calls for the bride's family to pay for the wedding.

17/30

The royal family sits on the right side of the church during the ceremony.

The only exception is if the groom is not royal, in which case they sit on the left.

18/30

The 1701 Act of Settlement prohibits royals from marrying Catholics.

The royals are the head of the Church of England, which is a Protestant Anglican church. The goal of the Act is to keep the Protestant heritage alive and well. Markle was baptized into the Church of England before the wedding.

19/30

Hats are required for female guests.

They're known to make an appearance at royal events, and weddings are no exception—especially in the spring. They're also shockingly similar to Kentucky Derby hats.

20/30

There are two wedding receptions.

Most British weddings are held at noon and are followed by a seated luncheon called a "wedding breakfast." There's also a gathering in the evening. Harry and Meghan will have a luncheon at St. George's Hall after the wedding service and an evening reception at Frogmore House, hosted by Prince Charles.

21/30

Royals must get the Queen’s permission to marry...

True story. The Royal Marriages Act of 1772 requires it. Meghan Markle met the queen multiple times and spent quite a bit of time with her before Harry proposed. The Queen then signed a document called the Instrument of Consent, which made it official.

22/30

...especially if they're marrying a commoner.

Lookin' at you, Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton.

23/30

Women who marry royal male successors assume their husbands' titles.

The honor of having the princess title precede your first name is reserved for ladies born into the royal family. Therefore, Meghan Markle won't be called "Princess Meghan."

24/30

So even if a woman is marrying a Prince, it doesn’t mean she’s automatically a Princess.

There's a big difference between a Princess and a Duchess, and people are still debating whether Kate Middleton is both. Technically Princess Diana shouldn't even be called Princess Diana—she's Diana, Princess of Wales. Meghan Markle won't be considered a princess because she doesn't have royal blood.

25/30

Instead of a bachelor party, the male has a "Stag party"...

...and instead of a bachelorette party the woman has a "Hen party." (FYI Diddy and Kanye were not at Prince William's Stag...only in my dreams.)

26/30

Newlyweds and members of the royal family always make an appearance after the wedding...

...and wave kiss in front of the crowd. (We are all the little girl on the left.) Harry and Meghan won't have a balcony kiss because Windsor Castle doesn't have a grand balcony the way Buckingham Palace does, but we will get to see something.

27/30

The groom wears military regalia to the wedding...

...since it's tradition for royal males to serve in the military.

28/30

The wedding dress is typically made with lace.

Kate Middleton's gown was designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen and Princess Diana's dress was designed by Elizabeth Emanuel. Taking bets on who will design Markle's gown. Here's everything we know about the dress.

29/30

Once you’re married to a royal, you can’t be active in politics...

...because royals have to maintain a public role. Plot twist: Prince Harry had to meet with Melania to maintain bipartisanship because he's BFFs with Barack and Michelle Obama. (Kidding, but not...)

30/30

A piece of the wedding cake is mailed out as a 'thank you' to guests.

No, we're not kidding. Pictured above is a slice from William and Kate's 2011 wedding. Guess you can really have your cake and eat it too!

Rachel Epstein is a writer, editor, and content strategist based in New York City. Most recently, she was the Managing Editor at Coveteur, where she oversaw the site’s day-to-day editorial operations. Previously, she was an editor at Marie Claire, where she wrote and edited culture, politics, and lifestyle stories ranging from op-eds to profiles to ambitious packages. She also launched and managed the site’s virtual book club, #ReadWithMC. Offline, she’s likely watching a Heat game or finding a new coffee shop.