Royal Wedding Uniform Insignia

At the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, both Harry and his brother and best man, Prince William, wore the frock coat uniform of the Blues and Royals. While the brothers were dressed for the rank of Major, there were some differences in their uniforms. Prince Harry's uniform included a Pilot's Wing badge for his service in the Army Air Corps, where he flew Apache helicopters, and four medal ribbons: K.C.V.O., Afghanistan with rosette, The Queen's Golden Jubilee, and The Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Prince William's uniform, meanwhile, featured wings for flying helicopters in the RAF, the Queen's Golden Jubilee and Queen's Diamond Jubilee medals, and the Garter Star, indicating his membership of the Order of the Garter. He also wore golden braids, or an aiguillette, across his right shoulder, as he had been bestowed as an Aide-de-Camp to the Queen in 2013.

Prince William wore the red tunic of a colonel of the Irish Guards

Prince William was appointed Colonel of the Irish Guards in February 2011, two months before his wedding. This was his first honorary appointment in the Army, and he became the Irish Guards' first Royal Colonel. The Queen, who is Colonel-in-Chief, gave her formal approval to the appointment.

The "Home Service Dress" of the Irish Guards is a scarlet tunic and bearskin, with buttons worn in fours, reflecting the regiment's position as the fourth most senior Guards regiment. The collar is adorned with embroidered shamrock, and they also sport a St. Patrick's blue hackle (plume) on the right side of the bearskin.

On his wedding day, Prince William wore the star emblem with St. George's cross, indicating that he is a Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. He also wore the Queen's Golden Jubilee medal.

Prince Harry wore the Blues and Royals frockcoat uniform

The Blues and Royals wear their chin strap under their chin, as opposed to The Life Guards, who wear it under their lower lip. On service dress, they wear a blue lanyard on the left shoulder, as well as a Sam Browne belt containing a whistle. The regiment is the only one in the British Army to be officially known by its nickname, rather than its full name.

Prince Harry served in the British Army between 2005 and 2015, completing two tours of Afghanistan and rising to the rank of Captain in the Blues and Royals. He also served in the Army Air Corps, flying Apache helicopters. On the left side of his coat, he wore a Pilot's Wing badge. He wore four medal ribbons: K.C.V.O, Afghanistan, The Queen's Golden Jubilee, and The Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

Prince William wore golden braids, or an aiguillette

At the royal wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, Prince William wore golden braids, or an aiguillette, on the right side of his uniform. This was due to his position as an Aide-de-Camp to the Queen, an honour bestowed upon him in 2013. As such, his shoulder strap bore the Queen's cypher.

The aiguillette is a symbol of this position, which was first installed by Queen Victoria, who appointed a small group of personal aides-de-camp, including her grandson-in-law, Prince Louis of Battenberg.

Prince William's father, the Prince of Wales, and his grandfather, the Duke of Cambridge, are also personal Aide-de-Camp to the Queen.

Prince William's uniform was a frockcoat of the Blues and Royals, the same as his brother, Prince Harry, though there were some differences in their medals and braids. Prince William's uniform was tailored at Dege & Skinner on Savile Row. His uniform included the Garter Star, indicating his membership of the Order of the Garter, and the Queen's Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals.

Prince Harry wore a Pilot's Wings badge

For his wedding to Meghan Markle, Prince Harry wore the Blues and Royals frockcoat uniform. Notably, he wore a Pilot's Wings badge on the left side of his coat. This was awarded to him for his service in the Army Air Corps, where he flew Apache helicopters.

Harry's military career began with his training to be an officer at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He went on to serve in the British Army from 2005 to 2015, completing two tours of Afghanistan and rising to the rank of Captain in the Blues and Royals. The Blues and Royals is one of the oldest regiments in the UK, considered the "monarch's trusted guardians".

In addition to the Pilot's Wings badge, Prince Harry's uniform was adorned with four medal ribbons. From left to right, these were: K.C.V.O., Afghanistan with rosette, the Queen's Golden Jubilee, and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

Prince Harry's decision to wear the Blues and Royals uniform was steeped in tradition. Royal grooms often opt for military uniforms on their wedding day, reflecting their service in the armed forces. Notably, Prince Harry's brother, Prince William, also wore the Blues and Royals frockcoat uniform to Harry's wedding, albeit with some differences in the medals and braids.

Prince William wore the Garter Star

The Garter Star is worn on ceremonial occasions by members of the Order of the Garter. It was introduced in the 17th century by King Charles I and is a colourfully enamelled depiction of the heraldic shield of St George's Cross, encircled by the Garter, which is itself encircled by an eight-point silver badge. The Garter Star is worn pinned to the left breast.

In addition to the Garter Star, Prince William's wedding uniform included the red tunic of a colonel of the Irish Guards, the Queen's Golden Jubilee medal, and golden braids, or aiguillettes, on his right shoulder. The braids indicated his position as an Aide-de-Camp to the Queen, an honour bestowed upon him in 2013.

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