Royal Wedding Traditions: Bridesmaids Galore!

Royal weddings are steeped in tradition and pageantry, and one of the most charming aspects is the inclusion of young bridesmaids and page boys. While the number of bridesmaids at royal weddings can vary, it is British tradition to have children or early teenagers fill these roles. Royal bridesmaids are typically the children or nieces of the bride and groom, or other young members of the royal family. For instance, at the wedding of King George V and Princess Mary of Teck, all of the King's sisters and nieces were bridesmaids. In more recent times, Princess Charlotte and Prince George, children of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, have reprised their roles as bridesmaid and page boy at the weddings of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and Princess Eugenie.

Royal bridesmaids are typically children or early teens

For example, at the wedding of Princess Beatrice and Prince Henry of Battenberg in 1885, all ten of Princess Beatrice's nieces served as bridesmaids. Similarly, at the wedding of King George V and Princess Mary of Teck, all of the King's sisters and nieces were among the ten bridesmaids. In 1923, the Duke and Duchess of York continued this trend, with eight bridesmaids, including Queen Mary's two nieces.

More recently, at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Princess Charlotte served as a bridesmaid, and Prince George was a page boy. This tradition of having young bridesmaids and page boys adds a touch of charm and adorableness to royal weddings, with the young attendants often stealing the show from the bride and groom.

While the number of bridesmaids at a wedding can vary, with some couples choosing to have none at all, the typical number is around 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 weddings do not traditionally have adult female bridesmaids

Royal weddings have traditionally included bridesmaids, but these are usually children or young teenagers. Royal bridesmaids are often nieces or younger sisters of the bride or groom, and they may be accompanied by page boys.

Since Queen Elizabeth's wedding, royal bridesmaids have been children or early teens. For example, at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of York in 1923, the couple was joined by eight bridesmaids, including Queen Mary's two nieces. In 1935, a nine-year-old Princess Elizabeth served as one of eight bridesmaids at her uncle's wedding to Princess Alice.

While royal weddings do have maids of honour, these are not usually adult women. For instance, Meghan Markle chose not to have a maid of honour at her wedding to Prince Harry, as she did not want to choose between her close girlfriends. Instead, her friends actively helped her prepare for the wedding and supported her on the day before and the day of her wedding.

However, there have been exceptions to the tradition of child bridesmaids. Pippa Middleton, for example, served as her sister Kate's bridesmaid at the royal wedding to Prince William.

Royal bridesmaids wear ivory gowns

The number of bridesmaids at a royal wedding varies, but they are typically children or young teenagers. For example, Princess Eugenie had all 10 of her nieces as bridesmaids, while the wedding of King George V and Princess Mary of Teck included all of the King's sisters and nieces, totalling 10 bridesmaids.

In British tradition, bridesmaids are usually young, and royal weddings are no exception. While royal weddings do have maids of honour, they are not typically adult women. For instance, Meghan Markle chose not to have a maid of honour as she did not want to choose between her close friends. Instead, her friends collectively supported her in the lead-up to the wedding, and some of their children served as bridesmaids.

Ivory gowns are a popular choice for bridesmaids, as seen at the wedding of Princess Beatrice, where her 10 nieces wore ivory gowns. Ivory bridesmaid dresses can be styled in various ways, from short styles for beach weddings to full-length gowns for elegant ceremonies. Accessories and pops of colour can enhance ivory bridesmaid gowns, such as sashes, beaded headbands, or jewellery.

Royal weddings usually have a maid of honour

Royal weddings are steeped in tradition and pageantry, and the bridal party is no exception. While the number of bridesmaids at royal weddings can vary, it is customary for royal brides to have a maid of honour by their side. Here are some insights into the role of bridesmaids and maids of honour at royal weddings:

The Role of Bridesmaids

Bridesmaids at royal weddings are typically young teenagers or children, a tradition that has been followed for many years. Royal brides often select nieces, younger sisters, or cousins to be their bridesmaids. This custom adds a charming and innocent touch to the wedding party, with the young bridesmaids often stealing the show with their adorable attire and playful antics.

Maids of Honour: An Exception to the Rule

While it is customary for British royal weddings to have child bridesmaids, the role of maid of honour is an exception. Royal brides usually have a maid of honour, a trusted friend or relative who stands by their side throughout the wedding day. The maid of honour provides support and assistance to the bride, helping to calm nerves and ensure everything runs smoothly.

The Difficulty of Choosing

For royal brides, selecting a maid of honour can be a challenging task, especially when they have a close-knit group of friends. In recent years, some royal brides have chosen to forego the traditional maid of honour role altogether, opting instead for a small group of close friends to support them on their special day. This decision can alleviate the pressure of choosing just one person and allows multiple friends to share in the honour.

A Day of Celebration

Whether a royal bride chooses a maid of honour or not, her closest friends are typically involved in the wedding preparations and celebrations. From helping with wedding planning to offering emotional support, the bride's friends play an integral role in the lead-up to the big day. On the wedding day, all eyes may be on the royal bride, but her friends are there to share in the joy and happiness of the occasion, creating lasting memories together.

Royal weddings often have page boys

For instance, at the wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, Princess Charlotte and Prince George, the children of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, were among the page boys and young bridesmaids. Similarly, at the wedding of Pippa Middleton, Princess Charlotte and Prince George stole the show as page boy and young bridesmaid, respectively.

The tradition of having children as bridesmaids and page boys was also followed at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Princess Charlotte served as one of Markle's bridesmaids, and Prince George was a page boy. This tradition dates back to Queen Elizabeth's wedding, where royal bridesmaids have been children or early teens.

While royal weddings often have page boys, there is no fixed number, and the decision is left to the couple. The size of the bridal party depends on various factors, such as the size of the venue, the number of guests, and the couple's preferences. Ultimately, the bridal party is about surrounding the couple with their loved ones on their special day.

Frequently asked questions