One thing is certain, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal wedding on May 19th will captivate the world, much like Prince William and Kate Middleton’s nuptials in April 2011.
But if Harry’s upcoming wedding will look similar to that of his older brother, there are quite a few key aspects that are completely different.
As the future king, William had to adhere to certain protocols for his wedding day. Harry, however, is able to do things a bit differently. Here, six ways the royal weddings differ.
The wedding ceremony will not take place in London
The couple’s wedding will take place at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, about 20 miles west of London. While Prince William and Kate said ‘I do’ at Westminster Abbey in 2011.
“Windsor is a very special place for Prince Harry, and he and Ms. Markle have regularly spent time there over the last year and a half,” Kensington Palace said in a statement. The castle is also an official residence of Harry’s grandma, Queen Elizabeth.
Harry and Meghan’s wedding date breaks royal protocol
Harry and Meghan will say their vows on Saturday 19 May 2018 while royal weddings have always traditionally taken place on a weekday (Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding was on a Friday; Princess Diana and Prince Charles on a Wednesday and Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on Thursday).
The royal family will be paying for entire marriage
Prince William and Kate’s wedding was financed by Kate’s parents and Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth. But Kensington Palace told CNN Markle’s parents won’t be contributing. The royal family alone will be paying for Harry and Meghan’s wedding.
There’ll be less dignitaries — but more celebrities!
Harry isn’t the future monarch, meaning there’s less obligation to invite global dignitaries and members of foreign royal families. That’s lucky given St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, where Harry and Meghan will marry, has a maximum capacity of 800 – half the size of William and Kate’s venue.
Because Meghan is a Hollywood actress, we can expect more celebrities at the couple’s wedding than at William and Kate’s. The cast of Suits, tennis star Serena Williams, James Blunt or even former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama could be present at the wedding in May.
Meghan Markle will give a speech at the reception
While it usually expected that only men, including the Father of the Bride and the Best Man, give speeches at weddings, according to The Times, the former actress is planning an affectionate tribute to her new husband and will offer thanks to the Queen, her family and friends. In 2011, Kate did not make a speech.
The Honeymoon destination
William and Kate chose to escape to a private island in the Seychelles for their honeymoon, however, Harry and Meghan are rumoured to be spending their honeymoon in Botswana, where they first holidayed.
The Balcony Kiss
It was a tradition started by Prince William’s parents, Prince Charles and Diana, who kissed on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the crowds chanted “kiss her.” But Prince Harry and Meghan Markle won’t continue the tradition, simply because St George’s Chapel doesn’t have a balcony. Make one. Make one now.
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