Royal Wedding Invitations: Guest Names And Their Significance

Royal wedding invitations are a grand affair, with a strict code of etiquette to be followed. The invitations to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding were issued in the name of Harry's father, Prince Charles, and bore the Three-Feathered Badge of the Prince of Wales, embossed in gold. The invitations were die-stamped in gold and burnished with bevelled edges. The guest list for royal weddings is an interesting mix of celebrities, commoners, and members of the royal family. Around 600 guests were invited to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding, with 200 joining them for an evening reception hosted by Prince Charles at Frogmore House.

Royal wedding invitations are issued in the name of the father of the royal getting married

Royal wedding invitation cards are usually formal and steeped in tradition. The invitations are issued in the name of the father of the royal getting married, with the first line, or host line, of the wedding invitation generally reading:

> " [Father's name] requests the honour/pleasure of your presence..."

This is followed by the bride's name, usually just the first name and middle names without the surname, and the groom's full name, including their last name. For example:

> "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith cordially invite you to the marriage of their daughter, [Bride's name], to [Groom's name]..."

The royal wedding invitations for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were issued in the name of Harry's father, Prince Charles. The invitations read:

> "His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales requests the pleasure of the company of... at the Marriage of His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales with Ms Meghan Markle..."

The invitations are typically addressed to each guest by name and include their titles, first names, and last names. The outer envelope includes the name and full address of the guest(s), while the inner envelope can be more personal. The inner envelope is also where the names of invited children may be written if they are not included on a separate invitation.

While royal wedding invitations follow traditional etiquette, modern variations are sometimes incorporated, such as listing the bride's name first or using collaborative wording if the couple is hosting the wedding together with both parents.

The bride's name typically comes first, followed by the groom's

When it comes to wedding invitations, the bride's name typically comes first, followed by the groom's. This tradition stems from the custom of the bride's parents hosting and financing the wedding, thus inviting the guests to attend.

> Mr. and Mrs. John Smith cordially invite you to the marriage of their daughter, [Bride's name], to [Groom's name]...

In this example, the bride's name would be written first, typically just the first and middle names without the surname. The groom's full name, including his last name, would follow. This is because the bride's surname is inferred from her parents' names, which have just been mentioned.

While this traditional approach is still used today, modern couples have more freedom to follow their own preferences. For instance, if the couple is hosting the wedding together, a collaborative wording can be used:

> Together with their families, [Bride's name] and [Groom's name] request the pleasure of your company...

Even in this modern variation, the bride's name usually comes first, partly due to tradition and partly because it is still considered appropriate to let the lady go first.

However, it is not a definite rule. If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves and neither the bride's nor the groom's parents are mentioned, it is not uncommon to see the groom's name first, indicating that he is the head of the family or the main financier.

Ultimately, the most important thing is to ensure that the invitation reflects the couple's style and relationship. Same-sex couples, for instance, can choose to list their names alphabetically, by age, or simply by what sounds best.

The guest list includes celebrities, commoners, and people from charities associated with the royal couple

The guest list for a royal wedding is an extensive affair, and the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was no exception. The couple invited 2,640 commoners to join them on their special day, with a unique twist: these guests would not be attending the ceremony or reception but would instead be part of the celebrations outside Windsor Castle. This decision reflects the couple's desire to include members of the public in their celebrations.

Among the guests were a diverse range of individuals, from injured service members to schoolchildren and charity founders. Specifically, 1,200 people were nominated by nine regional Lord Lieutenants, who serve as the Queen's personal representatives across the UK. This selection included individuals like Philip Gillespie, a soldier who fundraises for charity after losing his leg in Afghanistan, and 12-year-old Manchester Arena bombing victim Amelia Thompson, who attended with Sharon Goodman, who lost her granddaughter in the attack. Pamela Anomneze, a manager at Studio 306 Collective CIC, who supports those with mental health issues, was also among the guests.

In addition to these inspiring individuals, the guest list also included celebrities and people associated with charities close to the royal couple's hearts. Markle's rumoured guest list included celebrities such as Serena Williams and Priyanka Chopra, as well as her former Suits co-stars Sarah Rafferty and Abigail Spencer. The Spice Girls and Elton John were also predicted to be on the guest list, with John even cancelling a Vegas performance to ensure his availability.

The couple also invited 200 guests from charities they supported, 610 members of the Windsor Castle community, 530 members of the royal household, and 100 students from nearby schools. This mix of celebrities, commoners, and charity associates created a diverse and inclusive atmosphere for the royal wedding, reflecting the couple's interests and values.

The invitations are often hand-addressed by a world-class calligrapher

When it comes to royal wedding invitations, the name of the guest is often hand-addressed by a world-class calligrapher, adding a personal touch to the invite. While modern wedding invitations may vary in format and style, traditional etiquette is typically followed for royal weddings. This means that the guest's name, including their title, first name, and last name, is elegantly handwritten on the outer envelope.

The outer envelope, also known as the mailing envelope, is addressed to the guest(s) and includes their full name and address. This is a crucial step, as it ensures that the invitation reaches the intended recipient without any confusion. The outer envelope may also include "and guest" if the invitee is encouraged to bring a plus-one.

The inner envelope, which contains the wedding invitation suite, typically includes the names of all invited guests. This is where the world-class calligrapher's expertise shines, as they carefully inscribe each guest's name, often using formal titles and last names only. This attention to detail ensures that the royal family can be explicit about who is invited and, by omission, who is not.

For married couples with the same last name, traditional etiquette suggests using "Mr. and Mrs." followed by the husband's first and last name on the outer envelope. However, for same-sex couples, either name can go first. On the inner envelope, the couple may be addressed as "Mr. and Mrs." followed by their last name or their first names only.

For married couples with different last names, the outer envelope can include both names on the same line, with the woman's name listed first. On the inner envelope, their names may be written separately, using their titles and last names or just their first names.

When addressing unmarried couples or couples living at the same address, both names are typically included on one line on the outer envelope, with the person closest to the couple listed first. On the inner envelope, their names can be written more informally, using their titles and last names or first names only.

In the case of inviting an entire family, the outer envelope may simply list the family name or the parents' names, while the inner envelope includes the names of all family members, including children.

While the format and style of wedding invitations may vary, the art of calligraphy remains a timeless tradition, especially for royal weddings. The hand-addressed invitations reflect the elegance and attention to detail that goes into every aspect of the royal nuptials.

The invitations are usually formal, with specific titles and names

Royal wedding invitations are formal and follow strict etiquette. The invitations are usually sent out 3 to 6 months before the wedding date, and it is customary to include the guests' names, adding a personal touch to the invitation.

The outer envelope of the invitation should include the guest's name and full address, while the inner envelope can be more personal. The outer envelope should also include the phrase "and guest" if the guest is invited to bring a plus one. The inner envelope contains the wedding invitation suite and is addressed to each guest by name.

The invitations are addressed using specific titles and names. For married couples with the same last name, the outer envelope is addressed to "Mr. and Mrs." followed by the husband's full name. For same-sex couples, either name can go first. For married couples with different last names, the outer envelope includes both names on the same line, with the woman's name first. If the combined names are too long, they can be listed separately.

For unmarried couples living at the same address, both names are included on one line, with the person closest to the couple listed first. Single females over 18 are addressed as "Ms.", while younger women are addressed as "Miss". Single males over 18 are addressed as "Mr.".

When inviting an entire family, only the parents' names are listed on the outer envelope, with the children's names included on the inner envelope.

Frequently asked questions