Prince Harry wore a military uniform to marry Meghan Markle at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. The Duke of Sussex wore the uniform of the Blues and Royals, the regiment he served in when he was part of the army. The single-breasted frockcoat was made of blue doeskin and regimental braiding, with gold embroidered crowns, ranked by Major status. The uniform also featured four medal ribbons to represent K.C.V.O., Afghanistan with rosette, The Queen's Golden Jubilee and The Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Type of uniform | Military uniform |
Regiment | Blues and Royals |
Colour | Blue |
Material | Doeskin |
Style | Frockcoat |
Braiding | Black mohair |
Belt | White buckskin belt with sword slings |
Trousers | Black with a red stripe down the side |
Rank | Major |
Medals | 4 medal ribbons: K.C.V.O., Afghanistan with rosette, The Queen's Golden Jubilee, and The Queen's Diamond Jubilee |
What You'll Learn
- Prince Harry's wedding uniform consisted of a blue doeskin frockcoat, white gloves, a white buckskin belt with sword slings, and black trousers with a red stripe
- The uniform was made by Savile Row tailor Dege & Skinner, who also made the uniforms for Harry's pageboys
- Harry's uniform took over 100 hours of work, 65,000 stitches and one worker spent a week on the lace for the sleeves
- The Blues and Royals uniform was chosen over a morning coat or a lounge suit
- Harry's brother, the Duke of Cambridge, wore the same uniform but with golden braids
Prince Harry's wedding uniform consisted of a blue doeskin frockcoat, white gloves, a white buckskin belt with sword slings, and black trousers with a red stripe
Prince Harry's wedding uniform was a Blues and Royals frockcoat uniform, made by Savile Row tailor Dege & Skinner. The single-breasted uniform was made of blue doeskin, with a white buckskin belt and sword slings, and black trousers with a red stripe. The uniform was created in just six weeks, with the sleeves taking one lady a week to make. The uniform was also adorned with intricate lacework, with 65,000 stitches and over 150 metres of Black Russia, a type of double-ribbed lace.
The Blues and Royals uniform was a nod to Prince Harry's military career. He was trained at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and served in Afghanistan twice through 2015 in the Army Air Corps. He was also named Captain in the Household Cavalry's Blues and Royals, considered the "monarch's trusted guardians".
The uniform was a break from tradition, as Prince Harry was no longer a serving officer in the Armed Forces. However, as a member of the Royal Family, he was granted permission by the Queen to wear the uniform on his wedding day.
Prince Harry's choice of a military uniform was a contrast to the majority of his guests, who wore lounge suits or aristocratic morning dress.
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The uniform was made by Savile Row tailor Dege & Skinner, who also made the uniforms for Harry's pageboys
The uniform Prince Harry wore on his wedding day was made by Savile Row tailor Dege & Skinner, who also made the uniforms for the pageboys. The historic Savile Row shop has been in business since 1865 and is one of only two firms in Savile Row that is still family-run. It is famous for its military tailoring and has a royal warrant from the Queen for making uniforms for the Yeoman of the Guard.
Dege & Skinner was selected to make the uniforms for the wedding only six weeks before the big day. The shop's managing director, William Skinner, revealed that the pageboys' uniforms were bespoke and tailored precisely to their miniature measurements. The uniforms for the four pageboys were a challenge because they included all the details of the grown-up version, just shrunk down to a smaller size.
Prince Harry's uniform was a new frock coat, which he gladly accepted when it was offered to him by William Skinner. The single-breasted frock coat was made from blue doeskin with a stand-up collar and featured figured braiding of the regimental pattern. It was ranked to major with large gold embroidered crowns. The uniform also included a badge on the left chest for Pilots' Wings, attained while Harry served with the Army Air Corps flying Apache helicopters. The trousers, or "overalls," were made from blue and black wool barathea and were traditionally worn while horseback riding. The hat was a Blues and Royals Forage Cap (No 1 Dress cap), and the uniform also included a white buckskin waist belt with regimental buckle and slings but no sword.
The intricate sleeve pattern on Prince Harry's uniform took one member of staff a week to make. Between Harry's uniform and the four pageboy uniforms, the shop used 150 meters of Black Russia, a type of double-ribbed lace, and 65,000 stitches just for the lacework. The whole process of making the uniforms took about six weeks.
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Harry's uniform took over 100 hours of work, 65,000 stitches and one worker spent a week on the lace for the sleeves
Prince Harry's wedding uniform was a frockcoat uniform of the Blues and Royals, the regiment he served in when he was part of the army. The uniform was made by Savile Row tailor Dege & Skinner, who also made the uniforms for the pageboys. The Blues and Royals uniform is the official dress worn by those who have served in the regiment, which is part of the Household Cavalry.
The uniform took over 100 hours of work and 65,000 stitches. One worker spent a week on the lace for the sleeves, using 150 meters (164 yards or 492 feet) of Black Russia, a type of double-ribbed lace. The intricate sleeve pattern was carefully designed and shrunken down for the pageboys' uniforms. The lacework on the sleeves of the adult uniforms goes up above the elbows, so for the pageboys' uniforms, the design had to be adapted so it wouldn't go up over their shoulders.
The uniform was made in about six weeks, with three fittings. First, the tailors created the shell of the coat, which was adjusted after the initial fitting. Then they took the shell back, added the lacework to the sleeves and collar, and brought it back for another fitting. Finally, they made a few more adjustments before delivering the uniform.
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The Blues and Royals uniform was chosen over a morning coat or a lounge suit
Prince Harry served in this regiment when he was part of the army, and it holds a special significance for him. The uniform was crafted by Savile Row tailor Dege & Skinner, who also made the uniforms for Harry and his brother William when they joined the Blues and Royals over a decade ago. The uniform features intricate lacework on the sleeves, which took one lady a week to make. The Blues and Royals uniform is also notable for its blue lanyard on the left shoulder and the Sam Browne belt with a whistle.
The choice of the Blues and Royals uniform over a morning coat or a lounge suit may have been influenced by several factors. Firstly, as a member of the Royal Family, Prince Harry holds a special position, and wearing a military uniform is a way to honour and represent his service in the regiment. Secondly, the Blues and Royals was Harry's first regiment, and it holds a strong family atmosphere and connection to the people he served with. The regiment's history and tradition may have also played a role in the decision, as the uniform is steeped in ceremonial significance.
The Blues and Royals uniform is a symbol of Prince Harry's military service, the regiment's history, and the strong connections he forged during his time in the army. The uniform's intricate design and craftsmanship by Dege & Skinner also contributed to its selection for the royal wedding.
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Harry's brother, the Duke of Cambridge, wore the same uniform but with golden braids
Prince Harry wore a military uniform on his wedding day. He wore the frockcoat uniform of the Blues and Royals, a regiment of the cavalry formed in 1969. The Queen, who is the colonel-in-chief of this regiment, gave her permission for Prince Harry to wear the uniform on his wedding day.
The Blues and Royals uniform worn by Prince Harry included a blue doeskin frockcoat, white gloves, a white buckskin belt with sword slings, and black trousers with a red stripe down the side. The uniform was crafted by Savile Row tailor Dege & Skinner.
Prince Harry's decision to wear a military uniform on his wedding day was a break from tradition. In the lead-up to the wedding, there was speculation about whether he would choose to wear a military uniform, a morning coat, or a lounge suit.
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Frequently asked questions
The flaps on Harry's wedding uniform are called braiding. The braiding on his uniform is black mohair and is particular to the household cavalry and the Life Guards.
Prince Harry's uniform was made of blue doeskin and had regimental braiding.
Prince Harry's uniform was ranked by Major status.
Prince Harry's wedding uniform was made by Dege & Skinner on Savile Row.
Prince Harry wore the frockcoat uniform of the Blues and Royals.