Getting An Invite To The Royal Wedding

Getting invited to a royal wedding is no easy feat. While the guest list is often a mix of celebrities, VIPs, and royalty, there are a few factors that might increase your chances of receiving an invitation. Being a close friend of the couple, having a personal connection to the royal family, or sharing similar interests and passions are all possible ways to secure an invite. Additionally, previous attendance at royal events or a history of friendship with the royal family may also improve your odds. However, even with these connections, there is no guarantee of an invitation, as the final guest list is carefully curated and subject to various considerations.

Be a celebrity

Being a celebrity certainly helps when it comes to scoring an invite to a royal wedding. Many celebrities were in attendance at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding at Windsor Castle in 2018.

So, how can you, as a celebrity, get invited to a royal wedding?

Well, it helps to be a close personal friend of the couple, like tennis legend Serena Williams, who was a "confidante" of Meghan Markle. You could also be a friend of the royal family more generally, like Oprah Winfrey, who attended Prince Harry's wedding and has been a guest at other royal events.

Having a personal connection to the couple is a surefire way to get an invite. For example, if you set them up, like Markus Anderson, who worked for Soho House, where the couple had their first date, or if you are a former partner, like Prince Harry's ex-girlfriends, Chelsy Davy and Cressida Bonas, who both received invites.

Another way to get invited is to be a celebrity with a shared passion or interest as the couple. For example, Meghan Markle and Amal Clooney bonded over their shared passion for human rights and philanthropy. Similarly, Elton John, a close friend of Princess Diana, attended Prince Harry's wedding and performed at the reception.

Finally, you could be a celebrity who has worked with or supported the royal family in some way. For example, actor Idris Elba, who credits the Royal Family with helping him change his life for the better through The Prince's Trust, attended the wedding.

Be a member of the public who has done charity work

While it's not every day that you get invited to a royal wedding, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of receiving that coveted invitation. One way is to be a member of the public who has made outstanding contributions through charity work. Let's explore this avenue in more detail.

The royal family has a long history of supporting charitable causes, and this is often reflected in their wedding celebrations. When Prince William and Kate Middleton tied the knot, they chose to request donations to small charities instead of traditional wedding gifts. They selected 26 charities based in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, focusing on a range of causes such as helping young people, supporting service personnel, and tackling conservation issues. This not only showcased their support for these organizations but also helped raise awareness and funds for lesser-known grassroots initiatives.

Similarly, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle also demonstrated their commitment to charity by inviting members of the public who had made significant contributions through their charitable endeavors. One notable example was Daniella Timperley, a high school student from Ireland, who received an invitation as a recognition of her extraordinary charity work.

So, if you're aiming to get invited to a royal wedding, one way to increase your chances is to actively engage in charity work. Start by identifying causes that are close to your heart and organizations that align with your values. Dedicate your time and efforts to making a positive impact in your community, whether it's through fundraising, volunteering, or initiating projects that address societal issues. By doing so, you not only increase your chances of a royal invitation but also make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Additionally, keep an eye out for any connections you may have with the royal family or their charities of choice. For instance, Idris Elba received an invitation to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding due to his involvement with The Prince's Trust, an organization established by Prince Charles to support disadvantaged youth. His ambassadorship and continued dedication to this charity, which had a personal impact on his life, earned him a spot on the exclusive guest list.

Be a friend of the couple

Being friends with the couple is one of the surest ways to get invited to a royal wedding. But how does one become friends with royalty?

Mutual Connections

One way to become friends with the royal family is to be introduced through a mutual connection. For example, Princess Beatrice met Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis through her ex-boyfriend, Dave Clark. Similarly, Meghan Markle and Serena Williams met at a celebrity flag football game.

Charity Work

Another way to befriend royalty is through charity work. For instance, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho met in 2004 and formed a charity together in 2006 called Sentebale, which provides support to HIV-positive children living in Lesotho and Botswana. Similarly, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's first public appearance together was at the Invictus Games, a competition for wounded veterans that Prince Harry founded.

School

If you went to school with any of the royal family, you may have a chance to befriend them. Actor Eddie Redmayne went to school with Prince William at Eton and even played on the same rugby team.

Work in Entertainment

If you work in entertainment, you may have a chance to befriend royalty. For example, singer James Blunt and Prince Harry bonded because they both served in the same regiment in the British Army. Similarly, actress Priyanka Chopra and Meghan Markle met at ELLE's Women in Television dinner in 2016.

Be a royal family member

If you want to get invited to the royal wedding, one surefire way is to be a member of the royal family. But what does that entail, exactly?

Well, the British royal family is made up of King Charles III and his close relations. While there is no strict legal or formal definition of who is or is not a member, the Royal Household has issued different lists outlining who is part of the royal family. These lists are used to regulate the use of royal symbols and images of the family.

The royal family includes the monarch, their children, grandchildren, and the children of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales. This means that if you are a child or grandchild of the monarch, or the child of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales, you are automatically entitled to be known as a prince or princess with the style "His" or "Her Royal Highness" (HRH). For example, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis are the children of the Prince of Wales and are therefore members of the royal family.

In addition to the monarch and their immediate family, the royal family also includes the spouses of the monarch's descendants. So, if you are married to a member of the royal family, you are also a member. For instance, Kate Middleton, as the wife of Prince William, is now known as Catherine, Princess of Wales.

Members of the royal family often support the monarch in undertaking public engagements and pursue charitable work and interests. They are regarded as British and world cultural icons and are expected to promote British industry. So, if you want to be a member of the royal family, be prepared to attend official duties, represent the monarch at events and on tours, and carry out charitable work.

While being a member of the royal family may increase your chances of getting invited to the royal wedding, keep in mind that not all members of the royal family carry out official duties or attend every royal event. For example, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have stepped back as working members of the royal family.

Be a political leader

If you're a political leader, you're out of luck. When it came to the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, no political leaders were invited, foreign or domestic. This included the then-US President Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister Theresa May, and former US President Barack Obama.

The decision not to invite political leaders was made by the royal household, in consultation with the UK government. A Kensington Palace spokesman said:

> "It has been decided that an official list of political leaders – both UK and international – is not required for Prince Harry and Ms Markle's wedding."

One reason for this decision may be that Prince Harry is not the direct heir to the throne and therefore not obliged to host political figures. Additionally, there was limited space inside St George's Chapel, where the wedding ceremony was held.

Frequently asked questions