Harry's Wedding: Military Uniform Options

Prince Harry wore a military uniform on his wedding day. He wore the frockcoat uniform of the Blues and Royals, a cavalry regiment in the British Army, choosing the uniform of a major over that of a general. The Duke of Cambridge, his best man, wore the same uniform. Harry's decision to wear the uniform of his original regiment, the Household Cavalry, was described by defence industry consultant Nicholas Drummond as a sign of his humility and commitment to service.

The Blues and Royals military uniform

The Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons) is a cavalry regiment of the British Army and part of the Household Cavalry. It was formed in 1969 from the merger of the Royal Horse Guards, known as "the Blues" or "the Oxford Blues", and the Royal Dragoons, known as "the Royals". It is the second-most senior regiment in the British Army.

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 their service dress, they wear a blue lanyard on the left shoulder, as well as a Sam Browne belt containing a whistle. In most dress orders, the Waterloo Eagle is worn on the left arm as part of dress traditions. The regiment's uniform also includes a scarlet jacket with dark blue facings.

Prince Harry wore the Blues and Royals uniform to his brother Prince William's wedding to Catherine Middleton. Harry and William also received permission from the Queen to wear the frock coat version of the uniform to Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle.

The frockcoat uniform

The frock coat is a formal men's coat that was popular during the Victorian and Edwardian periods (1830s–1910s). It is characterised by a knee-length skirt cut all around the base just above the knee. It is a fitted, long-sleeved coat with a centre vent at the back, a reverse collar, and lapels. The outer edge of the lapel is often cut from a separate piece of cloth from the main body. The frock coat also has a high degree of waist suppression, achieved by a high horizontal waist seam with side bodies, which are extra panels of fabric above the waist used to pull in the naturally cylindrical drape.

In the British Army, the frock coat is currently worn for ceremonial occasions by senior officers of Lieutenant-General rank and above, officers of the Household Division, some bandmasters, and holders of certain Royal appointments.

Prince Harry wore the frockcoat uniform of the Blues and Royals on his wedding day. He and his brother, Prince William, both wore the uniform. A statement from Kensington Palace confirmed:

> "Both Prince Harry and The Duke of Cambridge will wear the frockcoat uniform of the Blues and Royals. Her Majesty The Queen gave her permission for Prince Harry to get married in his uniform."

The uniform of a general

Military uniforms are a standardised dress worn by members of the armed forces and paramilitaries of various nations. Military uniforms differ according to military units and are offered in different levels of formality. These include full dress uniform for formal wear, mess dress uniform for formal evening wear, service dress uniform for informal wear, and combat uniform for casual wear.

Prince Harry wore a military uniform on his wedding day. He wore the frockcoat uniform of the Blues and Royals.

Morning dress

In the context of military uniforms, morning dress is predominantly worn by commissioned and non-commissioned officers, but may also be worn by senior enlisted personnel. It is also sometimes worn by members of royal courts or certain civilian uniformed services.

In the British Army, morning dress is known as "No. 1 Blue Dress", and is worn for weddings, military ceremonies, and repas de corps. The Royal Canadian Air Force's winter mess dress is another example of morning dress. It consists of a midnight blue jacket with gold-laced rank insignia worn on the sleeve, gold-laced navy blue trousers, a white shirt with a soft or wing collar, and a white waistcoat.

In the case of Prince Harry's wedding, he chose to wear a military uniform, specifically the frockcoat uniform of the Blues and Royals. However, prior to the wedding, there was speculation that he would wear morning dress, as he is not in the direct line of succession and his wedding was taking place within the castle, which is considered less public.

Ceremonial uniform

For his wedding to Meghan Markle in 2018, Prince Harry wore the frockcoat uniform of the Blues and Royals. This is a ceremonial uniform, and Harry's choice was a break from tradition.

Full dress is the most elaborate and traditional order, generally consisting of a scarlet, dark blue, or rifle green high-necked tunic, elaborate headwear, and other colourful items. It is still regularly worn on ceremonial occasions and is issued at public expense.

The Band of the Household Cavalry, formed in 2014, is the only mounted band in the Armed Forces. They perform on significant ceremonial occasions and are known for their striking gold coats, which include real gold-covered metal on the velvet cuffs, coat body, and ball buttons. The uniform is the oldest continually worn in the British Army, dating back to 1660 and the restoration of King Charles II.

The uniforms of the British Army are divided into twelve categories, ranging from ceremonial uniforms to combat dress. Senior officers, of full colonel rank and above, do not wear regimental uniforms except when serving in the honorary position of Colonel of the Regiment.

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