Royal Wedding Guest List: Who Can Attend?

When it comes to royal weddings, the public is usually kept outside the chapel and the reception. However, for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, 2,640 locals, community representatives, and members of the public were invited to witness the celebrations from within the walls of Windsor Castle. The group included members of charities connected to the couple, local schools, residents of the castle, and members of the royal household. They were set up on the lawn opposite the chapel and along the roads leading to it, cheering as celebrities arrived and listening to the service via loudspeaker. The guests outside the chapel felt involved and described the day as spectacular, with a relaxed and intimate atmosphere.

Public guests are invited to royal weddings

The British Royal Family has a long history of wedding traditions, from the dress code to the guest list and seating plan. While most royal weddings involve at least 2,000 invitees, the public has been included in some royal wedding celebrations.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Wedding

Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle invited 2,640 people into the grounds of Windsor Castle to watch the arrivals of the bride and groom and their wedding guests, and to witness the carriage procession as it departed the castle. This group was made up of members of the public, individuals from charities and organisations close to the couple, pupils from local schools, Windsor Castle community members, and members of the Royal Households and Crown Estate.

The couple requested that the 1,200 members of the public chosen by regional Lord Lieutenant offices represent a diverse range of backgrounds and ages, including young people who demonstrated strong leadership and those who served their communities.

Public guests at the wedding shared their experiences, describing the day as "surreal" and "intimate," with a refreshing and powerful sermon by the head of the U.S. Episcopalian Church, Bishop Michael Bruce Curry. They felt involved in the celebrations and enjoyed the day's sunshine, cheering as celebrities arrived.

Other Royal Weddings

Historically, not all British royal weddings were grand affairs. Some, like the wedding of Princess Margaret's daughter, Sarah Armstrong-Jones, were low-key and intimate, with a small guest list of around 200 people.

Wedding Traditions

While royal weddings are steeped in tradition, each couple adds a personal touch. For example, Queen Victoria changed the course of bridal attire by wearing white, and Prince Albert chose to wear his military uniform at the altar, setting a trend for royal grooms.

Royal weddings also have specific protocols for guest attire, with men typically dressing in military uniforms, single-breasted coats with tails, or lounge suits, and women wearing conservative day dresses and elaborate hats or fascinators.

The public can watch the procession

Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle wanted their wedding day to be inclusive of the public and to allow members of the public to feel part of the celebrations. In addition to the Carriage Procession in Windsor, the couple invited 2,640 people into the grounds of Windsor Castle to watch the arrivals of the bride and groom and their wedding guests, and to witness the carriage procession as it departed from the castle. This group was made up of members of the public, people from charities and organisations close to the couple, pupils from local schools, Windsor Castle community members, and members of the Royal Households and Crown Estate.

The public guests were set up on the lawn directly opposite the chapel and along the roads leading to it, and they were able to chat with their neighbours and cheer as celebrities arrived. Although they were not inside the chapel or at the reception, these guests still felt they had front-row seats and were involved in the day's celebrations. One guest, who was nominated to attend for his work with wounded or sick members of the armed forces, said, "It's been surprisingly relaxed, and you do feel as though you're part of the day because it's very intimate." Another guest, the former mayor of the southern English town of Worthing, who was nominated for his work in the community, described the atmosphere as "incredible", and said that "everyone is kind of sharing it, so that excitement is tenfold".

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was not the first royal wedding to include the public in the celebrations. Traditionally, royal weddings have included a procession, with crowds gathering near the streets to watch the to-be-weds arrive at the ceremony. In the past, royal brides have arrived in a glass coach or a Rolls Royce, and after the ceremony, the couple has taken off in a carriage. The public has always taken a great interest in royal weddings, with huge crowds gathering to watch the procession and cheer on the happy couple.

The public can attend celebrations

The Royal Family has always been known for its exclusivity and secrecy, but in recent years, we've seen a shift towards greater public involvement and transparency. This is especially true when it comes to royal weddings, which have become more inclusive and celebratory affairs.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding is a prime example of this new approach. The couple wanted their wedding day to be shaped in a way that allowed members of the public to feel part of the celebrations. To that end, they invited 2,640 people into the grounds of Windsor Castle to watch the arrivals of the bride and groom and their guests at the chapel, as well as the carriage procession as it departed the castle.

This group was carefully selected to represent a diverse range of backgrounds and ages. It included members of the public from across the United Kingdom, nominated by regional Lord Lieutenant offices, with a focus on young people who demonstrated strong leadership and those who served their communities. The couple also invited individuals from charities and organisations they were closely associated with, as well as pupils from local schools and members of the Windsor Castle community.

The guests who were invited to attend the wedding celebrations inside Windsor Castle described the experience as "surreal" and "like a dream". They were dressed up, brought camping chairs and picnics, and even sparkling wine, to enjoy the day's sunshine and festivities within the palace walls. They chatted with their neighbours, cheered as celebrities arrived, and listened to the service via loudspeaker. Despite not being in the chapel or at the reception, these guests still felt involved and part of the special day.

The public involvement in royal weddings extends beyond just attendance. In the lead-up to the wedding, there is usually a public interview to announce the engagement, and royal couples often add their own personal touches while still upholding time-honoured traditions. On the day itself, there are cheering crowds, grand entrances, and, of course, those jaw-dropping gowns and dazzling tiaras.

The public can nominate to attend

The public can be involved in royal wedding celebrations. For example, when Prince Harry and Ms Meghan Markle got married, they wanted their wedding day to be shaped so that members of the public could feel part of the celebrations. They invited 2,640 people into the grounds of Windsor Castle to watch the arrivals of the bride and groom and their wedding guests at the chapel, and to watch the carriage procession as it departed from the castle.

Of the 2,640 people invited, 1,200 members of the public from across the United Kingdom were nominated to attend by nine regional Lord Lieutenant offices. The couple asked that those chosen were from a broad range of backgrounds and ages, including young people who have shown strong leadership, and those who have served their communities.

The Lord Lieutenant is the monarch's representative in each county and is chosen for their knowledge of the area and its people. The Lord Lieutenant's role is to support and encourage all that is positive in their county and to promote its growth and well-being.

If you want to be nominated to attend a royal wedding, you can contact your local Lord Lieutenant's office to express your interest. You can find the contact details for your regional Lord Lieutenant on the official website of the British Monarchy. It is important to note that the selection process may be competitive, as the couple will likely receive many nominations from across the country.

The public can be selected to attend

• 1,200 members of the public from across the United Kingdom, nominated to attend by nine regional Lord Lieutenant offices. The couple asked that those chosen come from diverse backgrounds and ages, including young people who have demonstrated strong leadership and those who have served their communities.
• 200 people from various charities and organisations with which Prince Harry and Ms. Markle have a close association, including those that Prince Harry serves as Patron.
• 100 pupils from two local schools: The Royal School, Great Park, Windsor, and St George's School, Windsor Castle, both of which have strong ties to the Windsor Castle community.
• 610 Windsor Castle community members, including residents and members of the St George's Chapel community.
• 530 Members of The Royal Households and Crown Estate.

Those selected to attend from outside the chapel felt involved and described the experience as "intimate" and "surprisingly relaxed". They were able to enjoy the day's sunshine and celebrations from within the palace walls, equipped with camping chairs, picnics, and sparkling wine. No screens were set up outside the chapel, but loudspeakers allowed guests to listen to the service.

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