Royal Wedding Party: How Many Bridesmaids?

Royal weddings are steeped in tradition and pageantry, and the number of bridesmaids is no exception. While there is no set rule, British royal weddings typically feature young teenagers and children as bridesmaids, a tradition that has been in place since Queen Elizabeth's wedding. Royal bridesmaids are often nieces, cousins, or other young relatives of the bride or groom, and their presence adds a touch of youthfulness and charm to the ceremony. The number of bridesmaids can vary, but it is generally in line with the size and formality of the wedding, with larger weddings having more attendants.

Royal bridesmaids are often children or young teenagers

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle continued this tradition, with Princess Charlotte as one of the bridesmaids and Prince George as a page boy. Markle chose not to have a maid of honour, as she did not want to choose between her close friends. Instead, her friends actively helped her prepare for the wedding and supported her on the day before and the day of her wedding.

Historically, royal bridesmaids have been children or early teenagers. For example, Princess Elizabeth, who later became Queen, was nine years old when she served as one of eight bridesmaids at her uncle's wedding in 1935. Similarly, Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones was only nine years old when she was the sole bridesmaid at Princess Anne and Mark Phillips' wedding in 1973.

While the number of bridesmaids at a wedding can vary, with some couples choosing to have none at all, the average number is four. This allows for a balance between having enough support and not being overwhelmed by coordinating a large group. Ultimately, the decision on the number and age of bridesmaids is a personal choice, and there is no right or wrong answer.

Royal brides traditionally carry a sprig of myrtle in their bouquets

The tradition of including myrtle in royal bridal bouquets has been continued by several royal brides, including Queen Elizabeth II, Diana, the Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine Middleton, and most recently, the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle. The myrtle is said to bring luck and fidelity, adding a special touch to the royal weddings.

The choice of flowers in bridal bouquets is often significant, and myrtle has a rich history and symbolism that makes it a popular choice for brides around the world. In ancient Greece and Roman wedding rituals, myrtle represented love, and it has been associated with weddings for thousands of years. The Victorian language of flowers, or floriography, also connects myrtle with love and romance, making it an ideal addition to a royal bride's bouquet.

The tradition of carrying myrtle is not limited to British royal weddings. In 1874, Queen Victoria sent myrtle to Russia for the bridal bouquet of the Grand Duchess Marie, who married her second son, Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh. This demonstrates the widespread significance of myrtle in royal weddings across different cultures and countries.

Royal bridesmaids can be expensive

For example, the wedding of King George V and Princess Mary of Teck in 1893 was a relatively small affair, with a guest list of around 100 people. The couple had 10 bridesmaids, including all of the King's sisters and nieces. In contrast, the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of York in 1923 was a much larger event, and they had eight bridesmaids.

The number of bridesmaids at a royal wedding can also depend on the age of the bridesmaids. For instance, Princess Beatrice had all 10 of her nieces as bridesmaids at her wedding to Prince Henry of Battenberg in 1885. As they were all young children, they likely required less expensive outfits and gifts than older bridesmaids.

Royal bridesmaids' outfits can be costly, and the cost increases with the number of bridesmaids. For example, at the wedding of Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones in 1960, the four bridesmaids wore ivory tiered dresses. The more bridesmaids there are, the more outfits need to be purchased or tailored, which can quickly become expensive.

In addition to outfits, there are other costs associated with having a large number of bridesmaids. For instance, gifts for each bridesmaid can add up, and there may be expenses for their hair and makeup, transportation, and accommodation, if required. Therefore, while there is no set number of bridesmaids for a royal wedding, having a large number can certainly increase the overall cost of the wedding.

Royal bridesmaids are not required

Royal bridesmaids are not a requirement, and royal weddings differ from typical weddings in several ways. Firstly, royal bridesmaids are usually children or young teenagers, rather than adults. This tradition has been observed since Queen Elizabeth's wedding. For instance, Princess Charlotte served as a bridesmaid at Meghan Markle's wedding to Prince Harry.

Secondly, royal brides do not traditionally have adult female bridesmaids. While Pippa Middleton, the sister of Princess Kate, served as her bridesmaid, this was an exception rather than the norm. In another example, Princess Kate did not have adult female bridesmaids at her wedding.

Thirdly, royal bridesmaids are not expected to be the bride's closest friends, as is often the case in the US. Instead, they are chosen from among the royal family's young relatives. For instance, at the wedding of King George V and Princess Mary of Teck in 1893, all ten bridesmaids were the King's sisters and nieces.

Finally, royal weddings often include a large number of bridesmaids. For example, Princess Beatrice had all ten of her nieces as bridesmaids at her wedding to Prince Henry of Battenberg in 1885.

In summary, while royal bridesmaids are not required, royal weddings typically feature young female relatives as bridesmaids, reflecting long-standing traditions and the unique nature of royal nuptials.

Royal bridesmaids are not expected to match the number of groomsmen

Royal bridesmaids are typically children or young teenagers, a tradition that has been in place since Queen Elizabeth's wedding. This is in contrast to weddings in the US, where bridesmaids are usually adults and represent the bride's closest friends.

While there is no set number of bridesmaids that a bride should have, with the average number being four, royal bridesmaids are not expected to match the number of groomsmen. Royal weddings do not follow the tradition of having an equal number of bridesmaids and groomsmen. In fact, it is not uncommon for royal brides to have a large number of bridesmaids, such as Princess Beatrice who had all ten of her nieces as bridesmaids at her wedding to Prince Henry of Battenberg in 1885. Similarly, the wedding of King George V and Princess Mary of Teck in 1893 included all of the King's sisters and nieces, for a total of ten bridesmaids.

In more recent times, Meghan Markle chose not to have a maid of honour at her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018, despite her friend group including the likes of Serena Williams, Priyanka Chopra, and best friend Jessica Mulroney. Instead, Markle's friends actively helped her prepare for the wedding and supported her in the days leading up to the ceremony.

Overall, the number of bridesmaids at a royal wedding is not dictated by the number of groomsmen, and royal brides are free to choose as few or as many bridesmaids as they wish, regardless of age.

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