Deborah Chan
The royal balcony at Buckingham Palace has been the site of many iconic moments in history, from royal wedding kisses to celebrations of the Jubilee and Trooping the Colour. Royal brides and grooms have traditionally acknowledged the crowds from the balcony, as was the case with Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding in 2011. However, not all royal weddings include a balcony appearance, as seen with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in 2018, which took place at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, a venue without a balcony.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Royal family members who have made balcony appearances | Prince William, Kate Middleton, Princess Diana, Prince Charles, Prince George, Prince Harry, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Duchess of Cambridge, Queen Camilla, Princess Victoria, King Charles III |
| Occasions for balcony appearances | Jubilees, weddings, coronations, annual Trooping the Colour ceremony |
| Location of balcony | Buckingham Palace |
| History of the balcony | The balcony has been the site of royal appearances since 1851, with the first wedding appearance taking place in 1858 |
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What You'll Learn
Royal wedding kisses
The tradition of kissing on the balcony began with Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer on July 29, 1981. Their kiss on the Buckingham Palace balcony became one of the most enduring images in royal history and the first of its kind. This was followed by Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, and later by Prince William and Kate Middleton, who shared a few sweet kisses on the balcony on April 29, 2011, resulting in some of the most iconic images from their wedding.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, however, chose not to follow this tradition. Instead, they shared their first kiss as a married couple on the steps of St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. They then shared another kiss during their carriage procession through Windsor.
Body language expert Blanca Cobb noted differences between the kisses of William and Kate and Harry and Meghan. She observed that William and Kate's kiss was more formal and reserved, reflecting their typical public displays of affection. In contrast, Harry and Meghan's kiss was more intimate, with both of them leaning in and closing their eyes.
While the balcony kiss has been a notable tradition for some royal weddings, it is not mandatory. Each couple may choose how they wish to express their affection, considering their level of comfort with public displays of affection and the specific dynamics of their wedding celebration.
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Royal wedding venues with balconies
The tradition of royal wedding balcony appearances was started by Queen Victoria in 1851. During the opening celebrations of the Great Exhibition, she was the first monarch to utilize the Buckingham Palace balcony to greet her subjects. In 1858, she instigated the tradition of the family going out onto the balcony to acknowledge the crowds who had gathered for the wedding of her daughter, Princess Victoria.
Buckingham Palace's balcony has since become a popular venue for royal wedding appearances, with iconic kisses shared by Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011, Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, and Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson. The newlyweds typically take centre stage, with the monarch standing to their side.
However, not all royal couples appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony on their wedding day, as some marry outside London. For example, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle chose St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle as their wedding venue, which lacks a balcony. Similarly, Prince Edward, Peter Phillips, and Zara Phillips all married outside of London and did not make balcony appearances.
Other royal wedding venues with balconies include St Paul's Cathedral, where Prince Charles and Princess Diana married, and Kensington Palace, which has several spots available for weddings, including the King's Gallery and the King's Drawing Room. The Orangery in the grounds of Kensington Palace is the only spot licensed for civil ceremonies and can accommodate 150 guests.
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Royal family members who have made appearances
The Buckingham Palace balcony has been the site of many iconic royal appearances over the years. The tradition of royal balcony appearances is well-established, with the monarch typically standing in the centre, flanked by other senior members of the royal family. Here are some notable royal family members who have made appearances:
- Queen Elizabeth II: The late Queen Elizabeth II made numerous balcony appearances throughout her reign, including for her Diamond Jubilee in 2012, surrounded by her family. She was also present at the Trooping of the Colour in 2022, where only senior working members of the royal family and some of their children were in attendance.
- King Charles III and Queen Camilla: Then-Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, have stood alongside the Queen on several occasions, including during her Diamond Jubilee. Following the coronation of King Charles III in May 2023, he and Queen Camilla appeared on the balcony with their pages of honour and working members of the royal family.
- Prince William and Kate Middleton: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have become frequent figures on the balcony, especially during the Trooping of the Colour ceremonies. They also shared a memorable moment on their wedding day on April 29, 2011, when they kissed on the balcony in front of thousands of onlookers, creating some of the most iconic images of their wedding day.
- Prince Harry: Prince Harry has been present on the balcony for significant occasions, including standing alongside his grandparents, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, and other senior royals during the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
- Princess Anne: Princess Anne, the sister of King Charles III, has represented the royal family at various events. She attended the Liberation of Guernsey and Sark's 80th-anniversary commemorations alongside her husband, Sir Tim Laurence.
- Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis: The children of Prince William and Kate Middleton have started to appear on the balcony during recent Trooping of the Colour ceremonies, joining their parents and other senior royals.
These balcony appearances hold symbolic value and provide opportunities for the public to catch a glimpse of the royal family during special occasions.
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The history of the tradition
The tradition of the royal family making balcony appearances at Buckingham Palace began with Queen Victoria in 1851. During the opening celebrations of the Great Exhibition, Queen Victoria stepped out onto the balcony to greet her subjects. Seven years later, she brought out the rest of her family to greet crowds who had gathered to witness the wedding of her daughter, Princess Victoria, in 1858. Since then, it has been customary for royal brides and grooms to acknowledge the crowds below.
The image of kissing newlyweds on the balcony has become an iconic symbol of royal weddings. However, this tradition only occurred on three occasions: first with Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, then with Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, and finally with Prince William and Kate Middleton. The latter couple's wedding in 2011 was one of the first major royal weddings in central London since Prince Andrew married Sarah Ferguson in 1986, and it attracted a huge crowd, making their balcony appearance one of the most celebrated in modern history.
The balcony at Buckingham Palace has been the site of many other pivotal moments, including Jubilee celebrations, coronations, and the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony. The monarch typically stands in the centre of the balcony with their spouse, except during royal weddings when the bride and groom take centre stage. The number of family members on the balcony varies, but the largest group is usually during Trooping the Colour, the annual celebration of the sovereign's birthday.
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Other occasions for balcony appearances
The royal family has appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony on several occasions, including weddings, coronations, and the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony.
Weddings
The balcony appearance has become a tradition for royal weddings, with the newlyweds often sharing a kiss and waving to the crowds below. Notable royal couples who have made balcony appearances on their wedding day include Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011, Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, and Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson.
Coronations
Balcony appearances also follow coronations. For example, King Charles III and Queen Camilla made a balcony appearance after his coronation in May 2023, along with their pages of honour, Camilla's ladies-in-waiting, and working members of the royal family.
Trooping the Colour
Trooping the Colour is an annual parade celebrating the monarch's birthday, usually held on a Saturday in June. The King inspects his troops and then processes with his family back to Buckingham Palace, where they make their traditional balcony appearance. This is typically the largest group to gather on the balcony, with over 40 family members in attendance for Queen Elizabeth's 90th birthday in 2016.
Other Occasions
The royal family has also made balcony appearances on other special occasions, such as the 80th anniversary of VE Day in 2020, when Queen Elizabeth addressed the nation, and the opening celebrations of the Great Exhibition in 1851 when Queen Victoria greeted her subjects from the balcony.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is customary for royal brides and grooms to acknowledge the crowds from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
Prince William and Kate Middleton shared a kiss on the balcony after their wedding in 2011. Princess Diana and Prince Charles also made a balcony appearance after their wedding in 1981.
Yes, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in 2018 did not include a balcony appearance as St. George's Chapel, where the wedding was held, does not have a balcony.
Yes, balcony appearances are also made during coronations, jubilees, and the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony.
