The Royal Wedding: What's Share-Worthy And What's Not?

Royal weddings have always been a source of fascination for people around the world. From the lavish ceremonies and glamorous gowns to the rich traditions that date back centuries, there is much to admire and talk about. One of the most famous royal weddings in recent memory was that of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, which took place on May 19, 2018, at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. The wedding blended modern elements with time-honored traditions, captivating audiences worldwide.

The royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was not just a union of two people but also a fusion of old and new. While the couple incorporated longstanding royal traditions, such as the use of Welsh gold for their wedding bands, they also added their own unique touches. For instance, Meghan's wedding dress, designed by Givenchy's Clare Waight Keller, was a classic and minimalist gown, while her reception attire was a sophisticated halter dress by Stella McCartney.

In addition to the sartorial choices, the wedding ceremony itself broke with some traditions. Notably, Meghan was accompanied by Prince Charles, who walked her halfway down the aisle, a decision viewed as a marvellous and unconventional solution. The vows were also contemporary, with Meghan choosing not to promise to obey and the couple being pronounced husband and wife instead of the traditional man and wife.

The royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a true spectacle, and the world rejoiced in celebrating their union. It was a day filled with joy, love, and a modern twist on ancient traditions, captivating audiences worldwide and leaving an indelible mark in the history of royal weddings.

Royal wedding fashion: From the bride's dress to the groom's uniform, and the guests' attire

Royal weddings are a spectacle of fashion, with the bride's dress, the groom's uniform, and the guests' attire all coming together to create a stylish celebration.

The Bride's Dress

The royal bride's dress is often a highly anticipated aspect of the wedding, with the world eager to see the chosen design. Throughout history, royal brides have made a statement with their wedding gowns, from Queen Victoria's trendsetting white dress in 1840 to Princess Diana's iconic silk-and-taffeta creation in 1981. In recent years, Meghan Markle's classic Givenchy gown and Kate Middleton's lace-covered Alexander McQueen dress have also left their mark on bridal fashion.

The Groom's Uniform

When it comes to the groom's attire, royal weddings offer a range of styles. Grooms may opt for a classic tuxedo or suit, with the option to incorporate personal touches or cultural influences. For example, Prince Harry wore a uniform as a member of the British Army for his wedding to Meghan Markle, while Prince William chose a more casual suit for his nuptials with Kate Middleton.

The Guests' Attire

Guests at royal weddings are expected to dress to impress, with A-list attendees often setting fashion trends. From Victoria Beckham's navy look at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding to Princess Beatrice's floral dress and pale blue trench coat at a French royal wedding, the guest list is a who's who of fashionable figures.

For female guests, the dress code typically includes elegant gowns, sophisticated cocktail dresses, or dressy pantsuits. Male guests often opt for suits and ties, with the option to add a creative touch, such as a unique pocket square. Of course, the level of formality may vary depending on the wedding's theme or location, but guests are generally expected to adhere to a higher standard of dress at royal weddings.

Royal wedding venues: The locations chosen for the ceremony and celebrations

Royal weddings are known for their opulence, grandeur, and glamour. Over the years, the British Royal Family has chosen some of the most incredible places to tie the knot. Here are some of the most iconic royal wedding venues:

St Paul's Cathedral

St Paul's Cathedral in London was the venue for the elaborate celebration of the wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles on 29 July 1981. With 3,500 seats, it is the UK's second-biggest church and was fit for a prince. This was an anomaly at the time, as most royals married at the Royal Church at Westminster Abbey. The beautiful Gothic cathedral, with its ornate stained-glass windows, is an iconic London landmark.

Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey is perhaps the most famous of all British Royal Wedding locations. The Abbey, with its stunning Gothic architecture and ornate stained-glass windows, is situated opposite the Houses of Parliament in the heart of London. It has been the venue of choice for many royal weddings over the centuries, including those of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, and most recently, Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011. With a capacity of 2,000, it offers a combination of beauty, history, and intimacy.

Chapel Royal at St James's Palace

The Chapel Royal at St James's Palace is an intimate wedding venue that seats just 40 people. It is the most senior royal palace in the UK and has been a notable location for key events in London's history. Kings and Queens lived at St James's Palace for over 300 years, and it was the chosen venue for the marriage of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1840. The palace features elegant flagstone and wood-panelled floors and was decorated by the acclaimed German artist Hans Holbein.

St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle

St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle is a small but significant royal chapel. It has been the venue for several royal weddings, including that of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018, and Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005. The Gothic chapel, located inside the grand Windsor Castle, has a capacity of 800 people. It holds a wealth of significance for the British royals, as it is also where Prince Harry was christened.

Royal wedding food: The menu for the reception, and the wedding cake

Royal wedding menus are typically kept under wraps until after the ceremony, but some details have emerged over the years.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip (1947)

The menu for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip's wedding was a closely guarded secret, but we do know that they served "Filet de Sole Mountbatten" and "Perdreau en Casserole" (partridge in casserole). The "Bombe Glacée Princesse Elizabeth" was a dome-shaped ice cream dessert named after the Princess. The fruit used—strawberries—was a major luxury, as the wedding took place in November, and the fruit had to be grown in a hothouse. The couple also served a 500-pound, four-tier fruitcake, nicknamed "The 10,000-Mile Wedding Cake" because its ingredients were donated by the Australian Girl Guides.

Prince Charles and Princess Diana (1981)

Princess Diana's wedding menu featured "Quenelles de Barbue Cardinal" (fish dumplings made from brill in lobster sauce) and "Supreme de Volaille Princess de Galles" (chicken breast stuffed with lamb mousse). For dessert, there were strawberries and cream, followed by 27 wedding cakes, including a five-foot-tall fruitcake.

Prince William and Kate Middleton (2011)

Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding menu included marinated South Uist salmon and Lyme Bay crab for the starter, Saddle of North Highland Mey Select organic lamb for the main course, and a trio of Berkshire honey ice cream for dessert.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (2018)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding menu featured a selection of canapes, including Scottish Langoustines wrapped in smoked salmon and Garden Pea Panna Cotta with quail eggs. For the bowl food course, there was Fricassee of Free-Range Chicken, Pea and Mint Risotto, and Ten-Hour Slow-Roasted Windsor Pork Belly. For dessert, there was a lemon elderflower wedding cake, champagne and pistachio macaroons, orange crème brûlée tartlets, and miniature rhubarb crumble tartlets.

Royal wedding traditions: The customs and rules that must be followed

The Wedding Attire

The white wedding dress is perhaps the most famous tradition for royal brides, a custom that was started by Queen Victoria, who wore a white lace and silk dress for her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. Since then, nearly all royal brides have worn white, often with long sleeves and a long train, and a veil.

The groom, meanwhile, will usually wear a military uniform, adorned with sashes and medals. It is customary for senior royal men to undergo a period of military service and hold military ranks throughout their public careers. Prince Harry, for example, wore the frock coat of the Blues and Royals for his wedding, while Prince William wore the Irish Guards Mounted Officers uniform.

The Wedding Bands

Royal wedding bands are traditionally made from the same nugget of Welsh gold. This tradition was started by the Queen Mother and has been continued by Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Margaret, Princess Anne, Princess Diana, and Kate Middleton. The original nugget is now almost entirely used up, so more recent royal wedding bands have been crafted from a new nugget of Welsh gold.

The Bouquet

Royal brides carry a bouquet with a sprig of myrtle, a tradition that dates back to Queen Victoria, who was gifted a bunch of flowers containing the plant by her husband's grandmother in 1845. The myrtle used in royal bouquets is sourced from Osborne House, Queen Victoria's holiday home on the Isle of Wight, where it has grown for around 170 years.

In a more modern tradition, started by Princess Diana, royal brides will have two identical bouquets. This is a result of a mishap at Queen Elizabeth II's wedding, where her bouquet was misplaced, and she had to get dressed up in her wedding attire again for the official wedding portraits.

The Guest List

The guest list for a royal wedding is usually extensive, with most royals obliged to invite hundreds of guests they have never met in the interests of diplomacy. The Lord Chamberlain is responsible for drafting the guest list and arranging the seating plan.

The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior

Since the 1920s, royal brides have honoured fallen soldiers by laying their bouquets on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey. This tradition was started by the Queen Mother, then Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, in memory of her brother Fergus, who died in World War I.

The Wedding Cake

The traditional choice for royal wedding cakes is an elaborate tiered fruitcake. However, this precedent has been challenged in recent years, with Prince William and Kate Middleton serving a chocolate biscuit cake in addition to the typical fruitcake, and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle opting for a lemon and elderflower cake.

Royal wedding media coverage: How the public can watch the wedding, and how to avoid it

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018 was a grand affair, with the public invited to virtually attend the ceremony. For those who are not interested in the royal wedding, there are ways to avoid the media coverage. Here are some tips on how the public can watch the wedding and how to avoid it:

How the Public Can Watch the Wedding

The royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was highly publicised, with various media outlets providing live coverage of the event. The wedding took place on Saturday, May 19, 2018, at 12 p.m. UK time, and people around the world were able to tune in and watch the ceremony.

For those in the UK, the wedding was broadcast on several cable networks, including NBC's Today, PBS, ABC, CBS, FOX, and BBC America. Additionally, PeopleTV.com and the PeopleTV app provided live coverage of the event.

How to Avoid the Media Coverage

While the royal wedding captured the attention of many, some people may have wanted to avoid the extensive media coverage. Here are some ways to minimise exposure to the royal wedding in the lead-up to the event and on the day itself:

• Utilise social media muting features: On Twitter, users can mute specific words, phrases, hashtags, or usernames to hide related content from their notifications and timeline. Facebook allows users to mute specific people in their News Feed.
• Unfollow or mute on Instagram: If someone you follow is posting extensively about the royal wedding, you can unfollow or mute their Stories to avoid seeing the content.
• Use email filters: Create filters in your email inbox to automatically delete emails containing specific keywords related to the royal wedding.
• Install browser extensions: For Chrome users, the Word Replacer II extension can replace any mention of the royal wedding with alternative words of your choosing.
• Avoid specific locations: If you want to avoid seeing the wedding in person, it's best to stay away from the wedding venue and surrounding areas, as well as areas where the couple will make public appearances.

By following these suggestions, individuals can effectively manage their exposure to the royal wedding coverage and focus their attention on other topics of interest.

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