Royal Wedding Guest List: Invitations Sent And Received

Royal wedding invitations have been sent out months in advance of the wedding date. For instance, Prince William and Catherine Middleton's wedding invitations were sent out in early February for their April wedding. The invitations are usually produced by Barnard & Westwood, a company that has held a Royal Warrant for Printing & Bookbinding by Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen since 1985. The invitations are typically printed on thick, white cards and feature the Queen's stamp in gold with the text printed in black. The royal family tends to favour the joining preposition with between the names of the bride and groom, and the royal participant is always named first on the invitation.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding invitations

The invitations were addressed to the guests as follows:

> "His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales…requests the pleasure of the company of [guest name here] at the marriage of his royal highness Prince Henry of Wales with Ms. Meghan Markle at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle on Saturday, 19th May 2018 at 12 noon followed by a reception at Windsor Castle."

The use of "Ms." for Meghan Markle, instead of "Miss", acknowledged her previous divorce. Additionally, Meghan's legal first name, "Rachel", was not used, as she has always gone by her middle name, "Meghan".

Approximately 600 guests were invited to the ceremony and luncheon, hosted by the Queen at St. George's Hall, with 200 guests invited to the after-party at Frogmore House, hosted by Prince Charles.

Princess Eugenie's wedding invitations

The text of the invitations read:

> "His Royal Highness The Duke of York KG and Sarah, Duchess of York, request the pleasure of the company of [insert name] at the Marriage of their daughter Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie of York with Mr Jack Brooksbank at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on Friday 12th October, 2018 at 11 a.m. followed by a Reception at Windsor Castle."

The invitations also specified a dress code of "morning coat or a day dress with a hat" for the female guests, which was slightly more formal than the dress code for the weddings of Meghan and Harry, and William and Kate.

The wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank took place on 12 October 2018 at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, United Kingdom. The bride, Princess Eugenie of York, is a member of the British royal family and was eighth in line to the throne at the time of her engagement. The groom, Jack Brooksbank, is a British wine merchant, brand ambassador, and socialite. The couple had been dating for seven years before their engagement was announced in January 2018.

Royal wedding invitation templates

Royal wedding invitations have traditionally been formal and elegant, with specific protocols and aesthetics that reflect the grandeur of the occasion. Here are some guidelines and templates to help you create your own royal wedding invitation:

History and Etiquette of Royal Invitations:

The tradition of sending invitations has a long history, dating back to when a letter was delivered by a messenger or announced by a town crier. Royals and aristocrats would issue handwritten announcements, often sealed with a family crest. Today, royal wedding invitations typically adhere to strict protocols, including specific wording, formatting, and the use of elegant materials.

Template 1 - Navy Ornamental Invitation:

This design draws inspiration from royal embossing, featuring a Victorian-style scroll illustration for an old-world charm. The colour scheme is a restrained elegance, with a dark navy background and gold accents. The single typeface and elegant white space contribute to a timeless, classy look.

Template 2 - Gold Cameo Invitation:

This classic design evokes the timeless nature of love with its use of silhouettes and white space. The powder blue, gold, off-white, and taupe colour palette is regal and elegant. The cut corners frame adds balance, drawing attention to the wedding details.

Template 3 - Pink Royal Wedding Invitation:

This invitation seamlessly blends traditional and modern elements. The watercolour background and decorative border have an art deco feel, while the use of millennial pink gives it a contemporary touch. The simple, understated design highlights the wedding information elegantly.

Template 4 - Green Paisley Wedding Invitation:

This playful yet classical invitation features a paisley-inspired background and tasteful colour palette of olive green and sage green. The calligraphy-inspired font and chic sans serif font combination add to the overall charm.

General Guidelines:

• Royal wedding invitations are typically formal and elegant, with a focus on tradition and attention to detail.
• Use high-quality paper or card stock, such as thick white card stock, for a luxurious feel.
• Consider gold embossing and trim, as seen in royal invitations, for an opulent touch.
• Restrained colour palettes, such as black ink on off-white card stock, create an understated elegance.
• Limit the number of typefaces to one or two to avoid a messy or chaotic look.
• Include relevant illustrations or borders, such as Victorian-style scrolls or art deco-inspired designs.
• Ensure the wording follows royal protocols, with the royal participant's name appearing first and the use of appropriate titles ("Miss", "Mrs.", or "Ms.")

Royal wedding invitation rules

The Invitations

Royal wedding invitations are traditionally formal and elegant. They are often printed on thick, white card stock, featuring the Queen's stamp in gold with the text printed in black. The invitations are typically produced by a company with a Royal Warrant, such as Barnard & Westwood, which has held a Royal Warrant for Printing & Bookbinding by Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen since 1985.

The Wording

Royal wedding invitations follow specific protocols. The royal participant's name will always be mentioned first, followed by the non-royal partner. The joining preposition "with" is used instead of the more standard "to." The bride's title also varies depending on her marital history; for a first marriage, she is addressed as "Miss," while for a second marriage, "Mrs." or "Ms." is used.

The Envelope

In the past, royal invitations were handwritten announcements, sealed with a wax seal bearing the family crest. Today, they are still sent out in envelopes, with the inner envelope bearing the invitee's name and the outer envelope providing protection and directions for the messenger.

The Timing

It is customary to send out invitations approximately six weeks in advance of the wedding. For royal weddings, save-the-date notices may also be sent in advance, either by mail or fax.

The Guest List

The monarch, as the head of the Church of England, is in command of sending out the wedding invitations. However, the guest list is carefully curated, and even notable figures may not receive an invitation.

The Response

It is considered rude to forget to RSVP to a royal wedding invitation. Guests who have not responded are not expected to show up, as seen in the case of the King of Cambodia, who had to watch Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding on television due to his lack of response.

The Dress Code

The dress code for a royal wedding is formal and traditional. Men typically wear morning dress, including a black, navy, or grey single-breasted suit jacket with tails, waistcoat, pinstriped trousers, and a white shirt. Women are expected to wear dresses with covered shoulders, avoiding white, cream, or black colours, and often donning a hat or fascinator.

Royal wedding invitations over the years

Royal wedding invitations have evolved over the years, from town criers announcing the news of the day to the recent use of fax and email. Here's a look at some notable royal wedding invitations and the traditions they uphold:

Historical Perspective

The aristocracy in England and France during the 18th century, including royals, lords, and ladies, used handwritten invitations for their social gatherings. These invitations were often written by the lady of the house, the secretary, or the butler, as a mark of education. The printing press was considered in bad taste for these occasions.

Royal Wedding Invitations in Recent Times

In recent times, royal wedding invitations have become more standardised, with specific protocols in place. For instance, the royal participant's name always comes first, followed by the bride, and the joining preposition "with" is preferred over "to." The invitations are also traditionally issued by the town crier, who walks through the streets announcing the news.

Prince William and Catherine Middleton

The royal wedding invitation of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in 2011 was printed on a thick, eight-by-six-inch white card, featuring the Queen's stamp in gold with the text printed in black. The use of "Miss" before Catherine's name indicated that this was her first marriage.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

The invitations for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding followed similar traditions, with the royal's name appearing first. However, Meghan's previous marriage was acknowledged, and she was addressed as "Ms." The invitations were produced by Barnard & Westwood, a company holding a Royal Warrant for Printing & Bookbinding by Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen.

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank

Princess Eugenie's wedding invitations featured Prince Andrew's badge, including the white rose of York, in blue. This differed from Harry and Meghan's invitations, which featured Prince Charles's crest in gold. The crest at the top of the invitations signifies who paid for the wedding.

Frequently asked questions