Junior Rasmussen
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018 was a memorable event, with the couple exchanging vows in front of 600 guests and a global audience. Notably, they chose to break with the tradition of a balcony kiss after the wedding ceremony, a custom started by Prince Charles and Princess Diana in 1981. While the exact reason for skipping the balcony kiss is unclear, it may be due to the absence of a balcony at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, where the wedding took place. This decision sparked curiosity, as the public anticipated witnessing their first kiss as a married couple. Speculations pointed to the possibility of the kiss happening on the chapel steps or during their carriage procession through Windsor.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Kissed after the wedding | Yes, but not at the chapel |
| First public kiss | At the Audi Polo Challenge |
| Reason for not kissing at the chapel | The Church of England forbids kissing in sacred places |
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What You'll Learn
Harry and Meghan didn't kiss after saying 'I do'
It is customary for royal couples to share a kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after their wedding ceremony. This tradition was started by Prince Charles and Princess Diana in 1981. However, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle broke this tradition when they decided not to share a kiss on the balcony after their wedding.
The Church of England forbids kissing in sacred places, so royal couples' first kisses usually take place elsewhere. In the case of Harry and Meghan, their wedding venue, St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, did not have a balcony. Traveling to Buckingham Palace, an hour away, may have been too inconvenient.
While Harry and Meghan did not share a kiss on the balcony, they did share a kiss after their wedding ceremony. They saved their first smooch as a married couple for their exit from the chapel. This marked the first time the couple had kissed in public since the Invictus Games closing ceremony in September of the previous year.
The couple's decision to forego the balcony kiss may have been influenced by the absence of a balcony at their wedding venue or the desire to avoid a lengthy trip to Buckingham Palace. Regardless, their choice to break with tradition sparked speculation and marked a memorable moment in their wedding celebration.
Harry and Meghan's wedding day was a significant high point in their relationship, and their decision to step down as senior royals in 2020 led to ongoing family rifts. Despite the drama, their wedding remains a cherished memory, with their choice to forego the balcony kiss adding a unique twist to their special day.
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The couple broke tradition by skipping the balcony kiss
The royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a grand affair, with the world watching the couple exchange vows in a lavish ceremony at St. George's Chapel in Windsor. However, one notable moment that stood out was their decision to break with tradition by forgoing the iconic balcony kiss. This marked a departure from what has become an eagerly anticipated moment in royal weddings.
The balcony kiss holds a special significance in royal nuptials, dating back to at least Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II. The tradition, however, was popularised by Prince Charles and Princess Diana in 1981, when they shared their first kiss as a married couple on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. This moment has since become a highlight for the public, who eagerly anticipate the romantic gesture.
While the reason behind Harry and Meghan's decision to skip the balcony kiss remains unclear, it is speculated that the lack of a balcony at St. George's Chapel played a role. Travelling to Buckingham Palace, where the balcony kiss traditionally takes place, would have been a significant detour, and the couple chose to forgo this trip.
Despite breaking with this tradition, Harry and Meghan did share a kiss as a married couple. They chose to seal their union with a kiss upon exiting the chapel, marking their first kiss as newlyweds. This moment, though different from the iconic balcony kiss, was no less special and marked the beginning of their married life together.
The decision to forgo the balcony kiss adds to the list of traditions that Harry and Meghan have chosen to navigate in their own unique way. Their wedding day was a blend of tradition and personal touches, reflecting their personalities and desires. While the balcony kiss may have been skipped, the couple found their own way to express their love and celebrate their union in front of the watching world.
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The first kiss as a married couple was at the chapel exit
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle chose to forgo the traditional balcony kiss after their wedding ceremony. The iconic moment, which has been a staple of royal weddings, was not recreated by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The decision may have been influenced by the absence of a balcony at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, where the wedding took place. Instead, they chose to seal their marriage with a kiss as they exited the chapel.
The Church of England forbids kissing in sacred places, so royal couples typically share their first kiss outside the church. While some speculated that Harry and Meghan would continue the tradition of kissing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, an hour's drive from Windsor Castle, the couple opted for a more intimate moment at the chapel exit.
The highly anticipated kiss marked the first time the couple had kissed in public since their wedding. It was a special moment for the newlyweds, who had just exchanged vows in front of 600 guests and a global audience of millions. The chapel exit kiss was a private and spontaneous expression of their love, setting the tone for their married life together.
The choice to forgo the balcony kiss reflected Harry and Meghan's willingness to break with tradition and create their own path. Their decision surprised many, as it deviated from the royal wedding customs established by previous generations. By choosing to kiss at the chapel exit, they blended tradition with their unique style, making the moment memorable and meaningful.
The first kiss as a married couple at the chapel exit symbolized Harry and Meghan's love, intimacy, and commitment to each other. It was a private moment shared within the public eye, marking the beginning of their journey as husband and wife. The kiss at the chapel exit became a cherished memory for the couple and their well-wishers worldwide.
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The public's anticipation for a kiss
Despite the absence of a balcony, the public eagerly awaited the couple's first kiss as husband and wife. There was much speculation about where and when the kiss would take place, with some experts predicting it would occur on the steps of St. George's Chapel. The anticipation was heightened by the fact that the Church of England forbids kissing in sacred places, meaning the couple's first kiss as a married couple would have to be outside the chapel.
The public's excitement and curiosity added to the fanfare surrounding the royal wedding. People around the world were eager to witness the couple's first kiss, which would be a highly anticipated moment in their fairy-tale romance. The build-up and speculation only served to increase the interest in the wedding, with millions tuning in to watch the ceremony and catch a glimpse of the newlyweds.
Finally, the moment arrived. As Harry and Meghan exited the chapel, they sealed their love with a kiss, much to the delight of the crowd. This moment marked the first time the couple had kissed in public since their engagement. The anticipation and excitement surrounding their first kiss as a married couple contributed to the magic and romance of their wedding day, creating a lasting memory for both the public and the happy couple.
While the balcony kiss may not have been a part of their wedding tradition, Harry and Meghan's decision to share their first kiss as husband and wife with the world solidified their love story in the eyes of the public. This moment, though different from past royal weddings, became a memorable part of their unique journey together, capturing the hearts of people worldwide.
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The couple's first public kiss was at a polo match
The couple's first public kiss was indeed at a polo match. This took place in May 2017, a month before Meghan shut down her lifestyle blog, The Tig. The event was a charity polo match in Ascot, where Meghan and Harry appeared completely smitten as they shared affectionate moments on the sidelines. Meghan, dressed in dark sunglasses, exchanged a few words with Harry before he pulled her in for a kiss. Her presence seemed to give him a boost, as he and his brother, Prince William, led their team to victory.
The polo match also marked the couple's first public appearance together, signalling the growing seriousness of their relationship. Meghan was introduced to some of Harry's closest confidants and seemed at ease as she chatted with his mentor, former Army officer Mark Dyer. The royal brothers, who were then on good terms, looked relaxed as they inspected their mallets and helmets before mounting their horses with the help of an aide.
The couple's affectionate display mirrored another memorable kiss they shared just weeks after their royal wedding. In July 2018, Meghan gave Harry a congratulatory kiss after presenting him with the winning trophy at a charity polo match. The sweet exchange was captured by cameras as the couple filmed for their upcoming Netflix series focused on the world of polo.
The public displays of affection at these polo matches solidified Meghan and Harry's love for each other. Meghan even went on to write an emotional farewell on her blog, The Tig, a month after the first kiss: "You've made my days brighter and filled this experience with so much joy... Above all, don't ever forget your worth—as I've told you time and time again: you, my sweet friend, you are enough."
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Frequently asked questions
No, they did not kiss after exchanging their vows. However, they did share a kiss after greeting the crowd on the stairs of St. George's Chapel.
The Church of England forbids kissing in sacred places, so the royal couple's first kiss could not take place during the wedding ceremony.
Yes, Harry and Meghan broke tradition by not participating in the iconic balcony kiss after their wedding. This was reportedly due to the absence of a balcony at St. George's Chapel.
Harry and Meghan shared their first public kiss at the Audi Polo Challenge at Coworth Park in Ascot.
