Franklin Dean
Royal weddings are steeped in tradition, and guests are expected to dress accordingly. While there is no official dress code, guests are expected to obey the standards of British etiquette and the Church of England, which includes no visible cleavage, shoulders, or back. For men, morning dress is the daytime formal dress code, consisting of a waistcoat, a fitted jacket with long tails, and striped trousers. Military uniforms are also common at royal weddings. Women are expected to wear hats, although this is not essential. Royal brides must have their dresses approved by the reigning monarch, and must include myrtle in their bouquet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding dress colour | White or cream |
| Wedding dress style | Long sleeves, no cleavage, shoulders, or back |
| Bride's bouquet | Must contain myrtle |
| Wedding bands | Welsh gold |
| Guests' handbags | Only small handbags are permitted |
| Guests' attire | Morning dress, no swords |
| Male guests' attire | Navy or grey suits, waistcoat, tie, striped trousers, no hats |
| Female guests' attire | Tights, hats |
| Young boys' attire | Shorts |
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What You'll Learn
Royal wedding guest dress code: hats, tights, small handbags, and modest clothing
Royal weddings are steeped in tradition and protocol, and guests are expected to follow a strict dress code. While there is no official set of rules, certain guidelines are widely observed.
Hats
Hats are a distinctive feature of formal royal occasions, with female guests expected to wear them. Etiquette expert William Hanson advises that "Ladies should be wearing a hat", although he adds that this should be a "straw hat" if the wedding is after Easter. Lucy Hume of Debrett's, however, takes a more relaxed view, suggesting that "hats are not essential but can add a sense of occasion and fun to a wedding outfit". She recommends avoiding "novelty elements" that might distract from the bride.
Tights
It is considered good etiquette for female guests to wear tights. Samantha Cameron, the wife of former Prime Minister David Cameron, caused a minor stir by not wearing tights to the Royal Wedding in 2011.
Small Handbags
Due to the limited seating space at royal weddings, guests are advised to bring only small handbags.
Modest Clothing
Royal wedding guests are expected to adhere to the standards of British etiquette and the Church of England, which dictate that there should be "no visible cleavage, shoulders, or back". Etiquette expert Myka Meier sums up the dress code as: "You won't see cleavage. You won't see a lot of skin. At least you shouldn't. It would be seen as disrespectful." Male guests are expected to wear morning dress, which consists of a waistcoat and a fitted jacket with long tails, or a dark suit and tie. Military members are expected to wear their finest service uniforms.
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Military uniforms and morning dress for men
Military uniforms and morning dress are two of the most common attire choices for men at royal weddings. Military uniforms are considered a formal and respectful option, and men in the military are generally encouraged to wear their uniforms when attending royal weddings. The groom and groomsmen may choose to wear their military uniforms, and the specific uniform will depend on the regiment or service branch. For example, the groom could wear the dress uniform of his regiment, such as the Blues and Royals, or a full dress uniform, which is often brightly coloured and ornamented with gold epaulettes, braids, and lanyards.
For those who are are not in the military, the morning suit is a common choice for male guests at royal weddings. The morning suit is a formal option that typically includes a morning coat, waistcoat, tie, and striped trousers. It is considered British tradition for male guests to wear this ensemble, and it is often worn at both royal and non-royal weddings.
In addition to the choice between military uniforms and morning dress, men attending royal weddings should also pay attention to other aspects of their attire. Polished black shoes are considered a must, while hats, like those often seen at events such as the Royal Ascot, are generally considered inappropriate. Male guests should also expect to receive additional guidance from the royal family prior to the wedding, which will provide more detailed information about the expected dress code.
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Royal bride's dress: white, long-sleeved, and modest
Royal weddings are steeped in tradition, and the bride's dress is no exception. While the bride chooses her wedding gown and works with a designer, it's the Queen who has the final say. The Queen must approve of the royal bride's wedding dress before she walks down the aisle, a tradition that dates back to Queen Victoria, who sparked the custom for brides to wear white wedding dresses.
Royal brides typically wear white, long-sleeved, and modest dresses. Royal weddings usually take place in a church, so revealing silhouettes are not common. Royal brides usually choose dresses with sleeves for modesty, and their gowns rarely feature plunging necklines or bare shoulders.
Queen Elizabeth, Princess Diana, and Kate Middleton all wore long-sleeved dresses, and Meghan Markle's dress was expected to follow suit. British designer duo Elizabeth and David Emanuel designed Princess Diana's dress, while English designer Sarah Burton created Kate Middleton's iconic Alexander McQueen gown.
In addition to the dress, royal brides often wear tiaras, borrowing sparkling heirlooms from their family or in-laws. For instance, Princess Diana wore the Spencer tiara, while Kate Middleton borrowed the Cartier Halo tiara from the Queen. The wedding day is typically the first time a new royal wears a tiara, and it is a privilege reserved for married women.
Another tradition associated with the royal bride's attire is the bouquet. It must contain myrtle, a tradition started by Queen Victoria, who was given a myrtle plant by Prince Albert's grandmother. After the wedding, the bride's bouquet is left at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey.
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Royal bride's bouquet: myrtle
Royal weddings are steeped in tradition, from the bride's dress to the bouquet. While the bride chooses her wedding gown and works with a designer, it's ultimately the Queen who has the final say. The bride's dress is typically white or cream, with long sleeves and a modest cut. The wedding day is also usually the first time a new royal wears a tiara.
As for the bouquet, it is a long-standing tradition that it must contain myrtle, whether it's a sprig or the main flower. Queen Victoria, who was given a myrtle plant by Prince Albert's grandmother, started the tradition at her wedding in 1840. Using a cutting from her bouquet, she planted a garden of myrtle bushes at Fulham Palace. Since then, royal brides have incorporated myrtle into their bouquets, including Princess Diana, Kate Middleton, Camilla Parker Bowles, and Crown Princess Mary. The myrtle is considered the flower of love and fertility, and royal brides obtain it from Queen Victoria's 170-year-old garden. After the wedding, the bouquet is left at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey, a tradition started by Queen Elizabeth in 1923.
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Royal wedding rings: Welsh gold
Royal weddings are steeped in tradition, and this extends to the wedding dress and jewellery. The bride's wedding dress must be approved by the reigning monarch before the big day, and it is usually white or cream, long-sleeved, and modest, with no cleavage or shoulders on show. The wedding day is also typically the first time a new royal wears a tiara, borrowed from her family or in-laws.
The royal family also adheres to a strict dress code for other occasions. For instance, young boys are dressed in shorts instead of trousers until they are considered mature enough to wear the latter, usually around eight years old. Royal women are expected to wear hats during formal occasions, and the late Queen Elizabeth was known for her impressive hat collection. Gloves used to be standard but are no longer part of the dress code, although Queen Elizabeth wore them throughout her life.
When it comes to wedding rings, the British royal family has a long-standing tradition of using Welsh gold. This tradition was started in 1923 by Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, later Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, when she married the Duke of York, who later became King George VI. Her wedding ring was made from pure Welsh gold from the Clogau St David's gold mine in North Wales.
The Clogau St David's gold mine has provided three generations of royal wedding bands, as the 24-carat Welsh gold has a higher percentage of pure gold than the usual 18-carat gold, giving the jewellery its distinctive rich colour. The wedding rings of Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip, Princess Margaret, Princess Diana and Prince Charles, Duchess of York, Earl and Countess of Wessex, Duchess of Cornwall, Kate Middleton, and Meghan Markle all featured rare Welsh gold. The presence of Welsh gold in Clogau jewellery is identified by the Welsh dragon stamp and other unique marks.
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Frequently asked questions
Female guests at a royal wedding are expected to wear modest outfits that do not show cleavage, shoulders, or back. Big, elaborate hats are also common, although not essential. Small handbags are also recommended, as seating tends to be tight.
Male guests at a royal wedding are expected to wear a dark suit and tie, or morning dress, which consists of a waistcoat and a fitted jacket with long tails. Military uniforms are also common.
Royal brides usually wear white or cream dresses with long sleeves that do not show their shoulders or cleavage. Their bouquet must contain myrtle, and they usually wear a tiara.
There is no set dress code for the groom at a royal wedding, and they can wear anything from a tuxedo to a British Army frock coat or a merino wool coat.
