Royals Calling Off Weddings: Is It Possible?

While calling off a wedding is a rare occurrence, it does happen. In the case of royals, there is an added layer of complexity due to the public nature of their lives and the traditions that surround royal weddings. In the lead up to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wedding, Meghan's half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., wrote an open letter to Prince Harry, urging him to call off the wedding, citing concerns about Meghan's character and their estranged relationship. Despite this, the wedding went ahead as planned, highlighting the challenges of calling off a royal wedding, even in the face of family opposition.

Royal weddings are a big deal, with huge guest lists and media attention

Fast forward to the 20th century, and the wedding of Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, in 2011 was attended by 1,900 guests at Westminster Abbey, with 2,640 members of the public also invited to witness the arrivals at the ceremony. The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in 2018 was slightly smaller, with 600 guests in attendance at St. George's Chapel, and 2,000 members of the public invited to the grounds of Windsor Castle. The media attention surrounding this wedding was intense, with speculation about the dress design and guest list running rampant in the weeks leading up to the event.

Royal weddings have traditionally been a cause for national celebration, with the public granted access to the grounds of the ceremony, or even invited to attend the wedding itself. For instance, 1,200 members of the public were invited to the grounds of Windsor Castle for the wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank in 2018. The public's fascination with royal weddings is not a new phenomenon. As far back as the marriage of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, people climbed into trees to catch a glimpse of the royal couple.

The media frenzy surrounding royal weddings has only increased over the years, with over 80 broadcasting organisations from 50 countries taking live pictures of the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana in 1981. The public's interest in these grand affairs is unlikely to wane, as royal weddings continue to capture the world's attention and imagination.

The Royal Marriages Act of 1772 requires royals to ask the sovereign's approval to wed

The Royal Marriages Act of 1772 was enacted to prevent unsuitable marriages within the royal family, as King George III had concerns about potential spouses. The Act required members of the royal family to obtain the king or queen's permission before getting married. This included the first six people in line to the throne.

According to the Act, any royal family member who wished to marry had to seek approval from the monarch. Additionally, if they were above the age of 25, they could provide a 12-month notice to the Privy Council. If both the monarch and the Privy Council did not approve of the proposed marriage, it would not be considered valid.

The Act further stated that any marriage contracted without the consent of the monarch was to be null and void, and the individual may lose their place in the line of succession. However, there is no instance where the sovereign's formal consent was refused.

The Royal Marriages Act was repealed in 2015 with the passing of the Succession to the Crown Act, which removed the requirement for the sovereign's consent for royal marriages.

Royal engagements are short, with weddings following just months later

Royal engagements tend to be short, with weddings following just months later. For example, Prince William and Catherine Middleton got engaged in October 2010 and married in April 2011. Similarly, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got engaged in 2017 and married in May 2018. Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank got engaged in January 2018 and married in October 2018.

There are several reasons why royal engagements are relatively short. Firstly, many royal weddings are planned with the understanding that the couple will eventually ascend the throne and become the monarch and their consort. In these cases, there is a sense of urgency to ensure a smooth transition of power and continuity of the monarchy.

Secondly, royal weddings are often considered national events that generate significant public interest and excitement. The anticipation and build-up to the wedding can be a source of celebration and joy for the public, especially during challenging times such as post-war periods or economic downturns. Therefore, a shorter engagement period can help maintain and build momentum for the highly anticipated wedding.

Finally, logistics and planning considerations may also contribute to the shorter engagement period. Royal weddings involve complex organisational aspects, including securing venues, managing guest lists, and coordinating various ceremonial traditions. Given the magnitude of these events, a longer engagement period may not always be feasible or necessary.

While royal engagements are generally short, there are exceptions. For instance, Queen Victoria's grandson, Prince George (later George V), and Princess Mary of Teck's wedding took place in July 1893, over a year after their engagement in May 1892. This extended engagement was due to the tragic passing of Prince Albert Victor, Mary's first fiancé and Prince George's older brother, in January 1892.

Royal stag and hen parties are often whole-weekend affairs

For Prince William, rumours circulated about his plans for a shooting weekend in Scotland or a night of clubbing in London. In contrast, Kate Middleton was speculated to be considering London and Berkshire for her hen party.

For those seeking style and adventure, here are some destination recommendations for royal stag and hen parties:

• Goa, India: Bask on pristine beaches by day and party at nightclubs or secret raves by night.
• Prague, Czech Republic: Ideal for male-bonding activities like clay-pigeon shooting and stunt plane flying, followed by a limo pub crawl.
• North Johnstone River, Australia: Whitewater rafting is a common stag weekend activity, with incredible landscapes of waterfalls and gorges.
• Champagne, France: Pop bottles and celebrate with Old World wines on a Champagne winery tour.
• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: An unforgettable hen night surrounded by beaches, rainforests, mountains, and beautiful people. Start with caipirinhas on the beach and then samba the night away.
• Napa Valley, California: For the ultimate relaxation, hen groups can indulge in therapeutic hot springs and enticing wines at award-winning spas.
• Whistler, British Columbia: For avid skiers like Kate Middleton, the Whistler Blackcomb ski resort offers slopeside bars, a brewpub, live music, and delicious food.
• Grindavik, Iceland: A unique spot for a hen getaway, offering skiing, surfing, and the famous Blue Lagoon geothermal spa with breathtaking views.
• Barcelona, Spain: One of the most popular non-UK hen party locations, offering sailing, go-kart racing, gambling, shopping, and a vibrant nightlife.

Royal bridesmaids are historically young girls, but Kate Middleton broke tradition

Royal bridesmaids are typically young girls, but Kate Middleton broke with tradition when she selected her sister, Pippa Middleton, to be her maid of honour at her wedding to Prince William.

Royal brides tend to have younger children as their bridesmaids. However, Kate chose her sister, who was 27 at the time, to be her maid of honour, a role that does not usually exist in royal weddings. Pippa wore a white, ivory satin-based crepe gown with a cowl neckline, designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen.

Pippa was one of the bridal party who rode with the couple in a carriage procession from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace after the ceremony. She also famously helped to adjust Kate's train, which was just under nine feet long.

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