Royal Wedding Guest Experience: What Can They See?

Royal weddings are a grand affair, with a guest list that includes everyone from celebrities to foreign dignitaries. For instance, the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018 saw the likes ofsection George and Amal Clooney, Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian, and David and Victoria Beckham in attendance. Similarly, the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in 2011 was graced by Elton John, David and Victoria Beckham, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice, and many others. With such a diverse and esteemed guest list, it's no wonder that royal weddings are a spectacle to behold!

Guests must follow a strict dress code

Royal weddings are like real-life fairy tales, so when a monarch gets hitched, the whole world pays attention. With so many eyes on a royal wedding, guests are expected to bring their finest fashion game. In fact, Harry and Meghan reportedly sent their guests a seven-page etiquette guide to help them prepare for the big event.

For the ladies

Female guests are expected to wear a day dress with a hat. The dress should be on the conservative side, with covered shoulders, no cut-outs or sheer details, and a tasteful length—slightly above, below, or at the knee. Garish patterns are not acceptable, and neither are the colours black, white, or cream. Subtle patterns or bright, vibrant colours are ideal.

Hats are a sign of respect and are encouraged, especially large, colourful, and elaborately adorned ones. However, guests should be mindful of those seated behind them and consider removing their hat during the ceremony. Fascinators are also acceptable, but they should be impressive.

Only small handbags are permitted, and guests are expected to wear closed-toe shoes with low heels.

For the gentlemen

Male guests are expected to wear a uniform, morning coat, or lounge suit. A morning coat consists of a waistcoat and a fitted jacket with long tails, paired with striped trousers, a collared shirt, and a tie. A lounge suit, despite its name, is simply a regular suit. Suits should be dark in colour and paired with a subtle tie. Polished black shoes are a must, and hats are off-limits.

Gifts are expected, but not required

Gifts are expected but not required at a royal wedding. While it may seem strange to buy a toaster for a couple who occupy a royal residence, showing up empty-handed feels rude. It is considered a great honour to be invited to a royal wedding, so it is customary to bring a gift or make a charitable donation. For instance, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry chose donations for charities instead of gifts for their wedding.

If you do decide to bring a gift, don't bring it to the wedding itself. It is also important to choose a gift from a British company, as there is a longstanding tradition of keeping things patriotic at British royal weddings. For example, Princess Mary of Teck's aunt, Grand Duchess Augusta of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, contributed £1,000 towards her niece's wedding trousseau, which included outfits made from British-made silk, Irish poplin and lace, and Scottish tweeds.

If you're unsure about what to gift, a charitable donation to an organisation close to the couple's heart is always appropriate.

Guests should arrive an hour early

Royal weddings are grand affairs, and guests should be mindful of the many rules and traditions that come with them. One of the most important things to remember is to arrive at the venue an hour ahead of time. This is to ensure that you don't miss any part of the ceremony, and also to avoid tripping over the Queen if she arrives after you!

The Queen's presence is a key reason why it's crucial to arrive early. As the most senior member of the royal family, she will take her seat first, and the rest of the guests will follow. The royal family will also traditionally sit on the right side of the church, whether the bride or groom is the royal. So, arriving early is essential to ensure you find your allocated seat without causing a fuss.

Another reason to arrive early is to avoid causing a scene by rushing in at the last minute. Royal weddings are formal occasions, and it is respectful to be punctual. It also gives you time to navigate any security measures and find your way to the correct seating area without feeling flustered.

Lastly, arriving early allows you to settle in and take in the grandeur of the occasion. Royal weddings are steeped in tradition and pageantry, with intricate details to admire, from the bride's dress and bouquet to the elaborate hats and outfits of the guests. Arriving an hour early gives you time to appreciate the occasion and soak in the unique atmosphere before the ceremony begins.

Guests must follow dining etiquette

Dining etiquette is a crucial aspect of the royal wedding, and guests must adhere to the following rules:

Before the meal

Before sitting down to dine, it is advisable to use the lavatory, as leaving the table during the meal is considered poor form. Each guest will have their own menu card, written in French, detailing the menu and wine.

During the meal

Guests should wait to be seated at the table and allow the Queen to be seated first. It is important to note that the Queen's lead should be followed throughout the meal. Guests should not start eating until the Queen begins, and when she stops eating, everyone else should stop as well.

The royal family eats in the Continental style, holding their fork in their left hand and knife in their right. Food is conveyed to the mouth with the fork in the left hand, tines down. Unlike in North America, the fork is not transferred to the right hand. When finished, the fork and knife are placed parallel to each other on the plate with the tines up, in the 6:00 position.

It is also important to note that the royal family does not use special fish knives or forks when eating fish, as may be seen at formal dinners in North America.

Table setting

The table will be elaborate, and each guest will have their own butter dish, salt cellar, mustard pot, and pepper caster. There will be no need to pass anything, as footmen will serve the different courses.

Stemware

Each guest will have a water goblet, white wine glass, red wine glass, port glass, and two champagne glasses – one for toasts and the other for the pudding course. Stemware should always be held by the stem. When toasting, guests should raise their glasses but refrain from clinking, and definitely avoid clinking glasses to prompt the newlyweds to kiss.

Courses

Guests should be aware of the difference between the pudding course and the dessert course. The pudding course is what North Americans refer to as dessert, while the dessert course follows and is equivalent to the fruit course.

When the dessert course is served, guests will be presented with a dessert plate with a finger bowl, a serviette, and a fruit knife and fork. The correct way to set this up is to take the knife and fork and place them on the sides of the plate, then lift the finger bowl and serviette to the left of the plate. The finger bowl is used after the dessert course is served and eaten.

Tea

Tea is a significant aspect of dining etiquette, and guests should be mindful of the following rules:

• Never drink tea with the tea bag still in the cup.
• Always serve tea with a saucer.
• Only hold the saucer when standing.
• Stir tea from 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock, not clockwise or counterclockwise.
• Do not put your pinky up while drinking tea, as it is considered rude and elitist in the UK. Instead, the pinky should curl in towards the wrist to support the cup.

Guests must follow a specific greeting etiquette

Greeting someone correctly is an important part of attending a royal wedding. While the correct formal greeting varies throughout Great Britain, in London, the proper greeting is "How do you do?" and the formal reply is simply "How do you do".

As for gestures of greeting, the correct way to say hello depends on the context. In a business or social context, a handshake is appropriate, but one should not initiate a greeting with a hug. In more social situations with people you already know, a cheek kiss may be appropriate. While it's one kiss in America, it's two kisses in the UK — always start with the right cheek in both the US and UK.

If you are invited to a royal wedding, it is important to remember that there are rules surrounding the royal handshake, too. Handshakes should not be too long nor too short, and firm, but not too firm. Maintaining friendly eye contact is a must.

Frequently asked questions