Franklin Dean
The royal family has a strict dress code with a long history of tradition. When it comes to weddings, the groom usually wears a ceremonial uniform or a morning suit. Princes William and Harry have both worn military uniforms to their weddings, as did Prince Philip and Prince Charles. Prince Harry wore the Blues and Royals uniform to his brother's wedding, and Prince William wore a red Irish Guards Mounted Officer's uniform to his nuptials. The tradition of wearing military uniforms for weddings goes back generations, with Prince George (later George V) wearing a full naval uniform to his wedding in 1893.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colour | Royals traditionally avoid wearing black unless in mourning. |
| Uniform | Princes often wear military uniforms to weddings. |
| Medals | Medals are standard when wearing a uniform and are markers of service, conduct and bravery in battle. |
| Hats | Big, elaborate hats are a hallmark of royal women's fashion. |
| Handbags | Clutch bags are used to signal staff or to avoid handshakes. |
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What You'll Learn
Military uniforms
For military weddings, the Mess dress uniform is worn for ultra-formal and formal weddings, typically featuring a dark-blue colour scheme for most branches. During summer, army and navy men may substitute white pants. The Class-A or Service dress uniform is appropriate for semi-formal events, resembling a suit in style and colour.
For military weddings, it is advisable to maintain uniformity among guests in military attendance. This can be achieved by specifying the desired uniform on the invitations, such as "Mess dress uniform invited" for formal weddings and "Class A uniform invited" or "Service dress uniform invited" for semi-formal weddings. This ensures that guests who are active or retired military personnel are aware of the expected attire and can attend in uniform if they choose to do so.
The groom and best man typically forgo gloves, as they will be handling the rings during the ceremony. The infusion of colour, impeccable fit, and classic lines of military uniforms elevate the overall aesthetic of the wedding party and make the groom a focal point for photographs. Military uniforms also carry historical significance, adding a layer of solemnity and joy to the occasion.
In the case of royal weddings, princes with military affiliations often wear their military uniforms. For instance, Prince Harry wore the Blues and Royals uniform for his wedding, while Prince William wore a red Irish Guards Mounted Officer's uniform.
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Medals
Prince William, who served as the best man at Harry's wedding, also wore his medals. The two princes wore the frock coat uniforms of the Blues and Royals, with differences in the medals and braids. Prince William wore a red Irish Guards Mounted Officer's uniform for his wedding in 2011. This uniform included a tunic, which is part of the Full Dress uniform of his regiment at the time, the Irish Guards.
Prince Charles wore medals at his wedding to Princess Diana in 1981. His medals included the Queen's Coronation Medal and Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal. He also wore a white enamelled Maltese Cross at his neck, indicating his position as Grand Master and Principal Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath. Below his medals, he wore the star emblem as a Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter and the Order of the Thistle Star.
Prince Philip, who married Queen Elizabeth II, wore his naval uniform to his wedding in 1947. He served in the Second World War and continued his active naval career until 1951. His medals included the star emblem of a Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, which he wore below his other medals, similar to Prince Charles.
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Trouser type
Trousers are a key component of a prince's wedding attire. While the specific type of trouser may vary, there are certain conventions that are typically followed. For instance, it is customary for young royal boys to wear shorts, with the transition to trousers usually occurring around 8 years of age. This tradition dates back to the practice of "breeching," which originated in the 16th century.
When it comes to wedding attire, a prince will often wear a military uniform, which includes trousers as part of the ensemble. For instance, Prince Harry wore the Blues and Royals uniform to Prince William's wedding, which is the ceremonial uniform worn by the Army Air Force. Prince William himself wore a red Irish Guards Mounted Officer's uniform for his wedding in 2011, which included a red tunic and full dress uniform trousers.
In addition to the type of uniform, the colour of the trousers can also hold significance. For example, at Prince George's wedding in 1893 (when he was known as the future George V), he wore a full dress naval uniform with blue trousers featuring gold lace down the side. This choice of attire may have been intended to convey a sense of regal elegance and tradition.
While the specific trouser type may vary depending on the prince's personal style and military affiliation, the trousers will typically be tailored to match the uniform jacket or tunic. It is worth noting that, while trousers are customary for princes, Meghan Markle has occasionally broken protocol by wearing trousers to less important royal occasions, showcasing a modern interpretation of royal fashion.
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Colour choice
Princes typically wear military uniforms in colours such as red and blue. For instance, Prince William wore a red Irish Guards Mounted Officer's uniform for his wedding in 2011, while Prince Harry wore the Blues and Royals uniform, which included a blue double-breasted tailcoat with gold buttons and gold epaulettes, blue trousers with gold lace down the sides, and a sword belt.
The colour choice for royal wedding attire can also be influenced by tradition and the specific regiment or military branch associated with the uniform. For example, Prince Harry could choose to wear the uniform of the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force, or the Household Cavalry's Blue and Royals, each with its own distinct colour scheme.
In addition to the colour of the uniform, medals and decorations play a significant role in a prince's wedding attire. These medals are typically worn with the uniform and serve as markers of service, conduct, and bravery in battle.
While the colour choice for a prince's wedding attire is guided by tradition and military associations, there is also room for individual preference and variation. Ultimately, the specific colour chosen by a prince for their wedding attire depends on various factors, including personal style, military affiliations, and royal protocols.
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Accessories
When it comes to accessories, a prince's wedding attire typically includes medals, which serve as markers of service, conduct, and bravery in battle. For instance, Prince Harry wore the Blues and Royals uniform, which is a ceremonial uniform, at his wedding. This uniform is different from the day-to-day uniform worn during active service.
In addition to medals, swords are another accessory that can be part of a prince's wedding attire. For example, Prince George (later King George V) wore a full-dress naval uniform with a sword and sword belt to his wedding in 1893. The uniform included a blue double-breasted tailcoat with gold buttons and epaulettes, blue trousers with gold lace, and his personal decorations and awards.
Prince William, who served as the best man at Prince Harry's wedding, wore his military regalia, specifically the red Irish Guards Mounted Officer's uniform, which included a tunic. This was a part of the Full Dress uniform of his regiment at the time.
While not exclusively worn by princes, hats are also a traditional accessory for male members of the royal family. For instance, King Charles III wore a hat with his military uniform when he married Princess Diana.
It is important to note that the choice of accessories for a prince's wedding attire may be influenced by various factors, including the specific uniform chosen, military traditions, and personal preferences or styles.
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Frequently asked questions
The Royal family has a very strict dress code for Royal outfits. The royal dress code spans from expected to strange, but most of it derives from decades of royal tradition. For instance, it was Queen Victoria who sparked the tradition for brides to wear white wedding dresses.
A groom in the Royal family has to wear a ceremonial uniform or a morning suit. Princes William and Harry have both worn military uniforms to their weddings.
Prince William wore a red tunic, which was the Full Dress uniform of his regiment, the Irish Guards. Prince Harry wore the Blues and Royals uniform, which is a ceremony uniform.
Royals traditionally only wear black during funerals. Princess Diana wore black occasionally for evening functions. At special events, the entire family sometimes chooses to wear one colour.
