The Royal Wedding Date: A Delicate Balance Of Duty And Desire

How does the English royal family choose their wedding dates? It's a combination of tradition, strategy, and personal preference.

Traditionally, Wednesday was considered the most auspicious day to get married, but nowadays, most weddings take place on Saturdays. Royal weddings are often chosen to take place on weekdays, with the public given the day off to celebrate.

Strategically, royal weddings are timed to boost the morale of the nation. For example, the wedding of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1947 took place two years after World War II, when the country was impoverished and society had changed.

Personal preference also plays a role, with some royals choosing dates that hold symbolic significance for them. For instance, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert married on February 10, 1840, with Victoria noting in her diary that she wanted to wear a fashionable ivory, silk, and satin dress instead of her royal robes.

Other factors that influence the wedding date include the availability of venues, such as chapels and palaces, and the schedules of key participants like the bride, groom, and close family members.

Overall, the English royal family considers a mix of traditional, strategic, and personal factors when choosing their wedding dates.

Queen's permission

The Queen's permission is a vital part of the process for any English royal wedding. The Royal Marriages Act of 1772, proposed by King George III, states that all marriages to a member of the British royal family are subject to the approval of the reigning monarch. This was to guard against marriages that could diminish the status of the royal house. The Act was repealed in 2015 and replaced with the Succession to the Crown Act, which states that only the first six people in line to the throne need the monarch's permission to marry and retain their place in the line of succession.

The Act of 1772 caused some controversy at the time, as it gave the sovereign the right to veto any marriage. Any marriage without the consent of the monarch was to be null and void. This was the case even if the marriage had taken place abroad. The Act also made it a crime to perform or participate in an illegal royal marriage.

The Act was proposed by King George III after his brother, Prince Henry, married a commoner, Anne Horton, in 1771. The King considered this match, and another similar union by his brother, to be highly unsuitable. The Act also prohibited the marriage of royal family members to divorced people or Catholics.

The Queen's formal consent is given via the Instrument of Consent, which is drafted by the Crown Office and illuminated on vellum. This document is sealed with the Great Seal of the Realm and presented to the newlyweds after the wedding.

The Queen gave her consent to Prince Harry's marriage to Meghan Markle in March 2018, and the wedding took place in May of that year. Without the Queen's blessing, Harry and his descendants would have been disqualified from succeeding to the crown.

The Queen's permission is also required for royal family members to marry commoners. This was the case for Kate Middleton, who became Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, after her marriage to Prince William in 2011.

Wedding date selection

Historically, Wednesday was considered the most auspicious day to get married, as shown in this old rhyme:

> Monday for wealth, Tuesday for health, Wednesday the best day of all. Thursday for losses, Friday for crosses, Saturday for no luck at all.

However, nowadays, most weddings take place on a Saturday.

In the past, royalty intermarried with other reigning families as part of strategic diplomacy for national interest. In Europe, this practice was most common from the medieval era until World War I.

In the United Kingdom, the 29th of February (in a leap year) is said to be the one day when a woman can propose to her partner.

In England, a marriage is only legally valid if the banns of marriage have been read or a marriage licence has been obtained. The banns are a notice, usually placed in the local parish church or registry office, announcing an upcoming marriage between two people.

There is no specific information on how English royalty chooses their wedding date. However, it is known that royals must get the monarch's permission to marry. For example, Queen Elizabeth gave her permission for Prince Charles to marry Camilla Parker Bowles, despite the fact that Camilla had been divorced.

In the case of Queen Victoria, her higher status demanded that she take the initiative and propose to her cousin, Prince Albert.

Some notable wedding dates of English royalty include:

• Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, married on the 10th of February 1840
• Princess Alexandra of Denmark and Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, married on the 10th of March 1863
• Princess Mary and Prince George (later King George V), married on the 6th of July 1893
• Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon and Prince Albert (later King George VI), married on the 26th of April 1923
• Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (later King and Queen), married on the 20th of November 1947
• Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones, married on the 6th of May 1960
• Princess Diana and Prince Charles, married on the 29th of July 1981
• Catherine Middleton and Prince William, married on the 29th of April 2011
• Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, married on the 19th of May 2018

Wedding attire

The wedding attire of the British royal family and their guests is a topic of great public interest. Queen Victoria set a trend for royal wedding dresses with her choice of a fashionable ivory, silk and satin dress, which has influenced the wedding dresses of many other royals since.

In 2011, Queen Elizabeth II issued a 22-page etiquette guide for the 1,900 guests invited to Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding. Here are some of the key points from the guide, as well as some observations from other royal weddings:

• Female guests should not wear white.
• Women should opt for formal day dresses, such as a dress and jacket, or a skirt or trouser suit.
• Heels should not be too high, especially when walking on a church floor.
• Bare legs are not okay; wear tights.
• Hats are encouraged but not required. However, if the wedding is after Easter, guests should wear straw hats, and fabric hats if before Easter.
• For men, "morning dress" is the daytime formal dress code. This includes a morning coat, waistcoat, tie, and striped trousers.
• Navy or grey suits are customary, and garish waistcoats or ties should be avoided.
• Elton John and David Furnish wore Gucci to the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
• Amal Clooney wore a yellow Stella McCartney dress and a matching hat to the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. George Clooney wore Giorgio Armani.
• Victoria Beckham wore a navy blue dress with bright burnt orange heels to the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
• Princess Eugenie of York wore a teal blue floral dress to the wedding of Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall.
• Princess Madeleine of Sweden wore a pink dress to the wedding banquet for Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and her husband, Prince Daniel.

Wedding venue

When it comes to choosing a wedding venue, the English royal family has a variety of options to choose from, including grand chapels, historic castles, and lavish palaces. Here are some of the notable venues they have used over the years:

The Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge, Windsor:

This historic chapel, located in the grounds of Princess Beatrice's family home, was the setting for a private ceremony when she married Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in July 2020. While it is typically reserved for select members of the royal household, staff, and residents of Windsor Great Park, it offers an intimate and exclusive setting for royal nuptials.

St. Paul's Cathedral, London:

St. Paul's Cathedral, where Prince Charles and Princess Diana exchanged vows in 1981, is another option for royal weddings. However, strict criteria govern who can marry there. Only specific groups, such as members of the local community, nearby churches, holders of British honours, and their children, are eligible to wed in this historic setting.

Windsor Guildhall, Windsor:

For those seeking a more low-key civil ceremony, the Grade I-listed Windsor Guildhall fits the bill. Prince Charles and Camilla chose this venue for their civil ceremony in 2005, and it also hosted the nuptials of pop royalty Elton John and David Furnish. This venue is more accessible than others, accommodating ceremonies for couples from both inside and outside the borough of Windsor.

Westminster Abbey, London:

Westminster Abbey has been the venue of choice for monarchs, including Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. However, it adheres to strict rules regarding eligibility. Only royal weddings and weddings for recipients of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath and their families are permitted here.

Kensington Palace, London:

Kensington Palace, home to Prince William, Kate, and their children, offers several spots for wedding ceremonies and receptions, including the King's Gallery, the King's Drawing Room, and the Sunken Garden. The Orangery, licensed for civil ceremonies, can accommodate 150 guests for the ceremony and up to 300 for a reception, making it a versatile option for royals.

Hillsborough Castle, Northern Ireland:

Hillsborough Castle, the official residence of the royal family when visiting Northern Ireland, is another regal option. This Georgian mansion boasts both indoor and outdoor spaces, including the State Rooms and the South Lawn, perfect for a summer wedding with up to 350 guests.

Hampton Court Palace, Surrey:

Hampton Court Palace, once the home of King Henry VIII, provides a resplendent backdrop for royal weddings. Couples can choose from various venues within the palace, such as the Little Banqueting House, the Garden Room, and the Orangery, all steeped in history and luxury.

Kew Palace, London:

For a more intimate affair, Kew Palace, located within Kew Gardens, is ideal. This former home of King George III and Queen Charlotte can accommodate up to 40 guests in the King's Dining Room or 60 guests for a unique reception in the Royal Kitchens, where banquets were once prepared for royalty.

Osborne House, Isle of Wight:

Osborne House, the family home of Queen Victoria, offers a range of stunning options for royal weddings. From the Duchess of Kent Suite to the picturesque Belvedere Terrace or even the beach, this venue provides a memorable setting for nuptials.

Wedding customs

The wedding customs of the English royalty have evolved over the years, with some traditions remaining intact while others have been adapted to suit modern times. Here is an overview of some of the notable wedding customs observed by the English royal family:

The Queen's Permission

According to the Royal Marriages Act of 1772, members of the royal family must obtain the monarch's consent before marrying. This law was repealed in 2013, and now only the first six people in line to the throne need the Queen's permission. If the monarch objects to the marriage, it cannot take place.

Wedding Date

While there is no specific rule for choosing a wedding date, royal weddings often take place on weekdays. For instance, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip married on a Thursday, while Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, chose a Friday for their nuptials.

Wedding Location

Royal weddings typically take place in chapels or abbeys with a rich historical significance. Popular venues include St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, the Chapel Royal at St. James's Palace, and Westminster Abbey.

Wedding Attire

The royal wedding dress is a highly anticipated aspect of the ceremony. In recent times, royal brides have opted for British designers and fabrics, continuing a tradition started by Queen Victoria, who wore a gown made from British silk and satin. The colour white has been a consistent choice, symbolising purity.

Wedding Rings

It is customary for royal wedding rings to be crafted from Welsh gold. This tradition began with Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, and has been continued by subsequent royal brides, including Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.

Bridal Bouquet

The bridal bouquet often includes a sprig of myrtle, which represents love, fertility, and innocence. This custom dates back to Queen Victoria, who was gifted a posey of myrtle by Prince Albert's grandmother in 1845.

Official Photographs

Official photographs are an integral part of royal weddings, capturing the happy couple and their wedding party. This tradition began with King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra's wedding, which was the first royal wedding to be photographed reliably.

Tomb of the Unknown Warrior

A touching tradition was established by Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, later known as Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. On her wedding day, she laid her flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey to honour her brother, Fergus, who died in World War I, and all those who perished in the war.

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