WorldStrides Updates

10 Royal Wedding Traditions You Should Know About

Royal wedding traditions are a serious matter in Britain. When Prince Harry–sixth in line to the British throne–marries American actress Meghan Markle on Saturday, some parts of the wedding are expected to go according to royal tradition, but others are left to speculation until the big day. Here are the 10 royal traditions that the couple might follow…or break with…during the royal wedding:

• Since 1923, the bride has left her bouquet at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior inside Westminster Abbey. The bouquet has its own significance: It always includes a sprig of myrtle, usually from a myrtle bush descended from the myrtle sprig found in Princess Victoria’s own 1858 bouquet.
• Queen Elizabeth’s permission is a requirement per the Royal Marriages Act of 1772–the Queen signed off on the pairing last week.
• The groom traditionally wears military regalia. Prince Harry is expected to follow this royal wedding tradition, though he may have to shave his beard in order to follow military protocol.
• Women are required wear hats to the ceremony, and to all official royal occasions. You can expect to see a variety of expensive and elaborate hats at the wedding, as well as fascinators, which are head coverings that are attached by a band or a clip. Princess Beatrice turned heads at the 2011 royal wedding with her unique fascinator.
• The wedding bands all come from same chunk of Welsh gold, a tradition that began in the early 1900s. Markle is expected to wear one, but Prince Harry may choose to rebuff this royal wedding tradition, like his brother William.
• The bride and groom traditionally serve fruit cake to their guests, though Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are expected to serve lemon cake instead.
• Bridesmaids are typically young girls or teenagers. Markle will follow this tradition and will have children as bridesmaids.
• Queen Victoria started the tradition of wearing white in 1840, with an 18-foot-long train. Though it was considered strange at the time to wear white, Victoria set the standard for future wedding dresses. Markle’s dress won’t be revealed until the big day, but bookmakers are already speculating on whom she chose to design it.
• The bride always wears a tiara, and some have guessed that Markle may choose to wear one that was once worn by Harry’s mother, Princess Diana.
• It’s technically tradition for the bride to say she will obey her husband as part of their vows, though Diana broke with this one, as did Duchess Kate. Fun fact: Diana also said Charles’ name wrong during the ceremony.

Can’t get enough of the royals? Get an inside look at the royal family’s residences on a tour of Great Britain.