The British Royal family's strict marriage traditions

The British Royal family's strict marriage traditions

The British Royal family's strict marriage traditions

The British Royal family's strict marriage traditions

The British Royal family's strict marriage traditions

The British Royal family's strict marriage traditions

The British Royal family's strict marriage traditions

The British Royal family's strict marriage traditions

The British Royal family's strict marriage traditions

The British Royal family's strict marriage traditions

The British Royal family's strict marriage traditions

The British Royal family's strict marriage traditions

The British Royal family's strict marriage traditions

The British Royal family's strict marriage traditions

The British Royal family's strict marriage traditions

The British Royal family's strict marriage traditions

The British Royal family's strict marriage traditions

The British Royal family's strict marriage traditions

The British Royal family's strict marriage traditions

The British Royal family's strict marriage traditions

The British Royal family's strict marriage traditions

See Also

Kardashian fashion: how SKIMS launched into space

Kardashian fashion: how SKIMS launched into space

The Memphis Mafia and its hold on Elvis Presley

The Memphis Mafia and its hold on Elvis Presley

Actors and musicians who returned their industry awards

Actors and musicians who returned their industry awards

Movies and TV shows that sparked important debates

Movies and TV shows that sparked important debates

The richest content creators in the world

The richest content creators in the world

Are stars using fashion to manifest their dream roles?

Are stars using fashion to manifest their dream roles?

See Again

© Getty Images

0 / 31 Fotos

There's an engagement announcement -

An official engagement announcement is made to the public.

© Getty Images

1 / 31 Fotos

There's an engagement announcement -

A photo shoot is also part of the occasion. Remember this one from Harry and Meghan?

© Getty Images

2 / 31 Fotos

There's an interview -

The royal engagement announcement is usually followed by an interview.

© NL Beeld

3 / 31 Fotos

The Queen or the King must approve the marriage -

In line with the Royal Marriages Act of 1772, royals must get permission from the sovereign to marry.

© Getty Images

4 / 31 Fotos

Royals can't marry Catholics - The 1701 Act of Settlement prohibits this from happening. Meghan Markle, for instance, had to be baptized into the Church of England before her wedding.

© Getty Images

5 / 31 Fotos

The monarch sends the invitations -

The wedding invitations are sent out in the name of the sovereign.

© Getty Images

6 / 31 Fotos

The most traditional site for a royal ceremony -

Traditionally, the Chapel Royal at St. James Palace has housed most royal weddings, including those of Queen Anne, George III, George IV, Queen Victoria, and George V.

© Getty Images

7 / 31 Fotos

The bride must wear white -

This is a tradition in many parts of the world, but it wasn't a tradition in the royal family until Queen Victoria got married in 1840.

© Getty Images

8 / 31 Fotos

Wedding dresses are made out of lace -

Like the Princess of Wales' wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.

© Getty Images

9 / 31 Fotos

Tiara -

The royal bride always wears a tiara. Here's Meghan Markle wearing Queen Mary's bandeau tiara.

© Getty Images

10 / 31 Fotos

Military uniform -

Traditionally, royal males serve in the military, so they wear a military uniform to their weddings.

© Getty Images

11 / 31 Fotos

Bouquet -

Since the wedding of Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, all royal brides have left their bouquet at the grave of the 'Unknown Warrior' in Westminster Abbey.

© Getty Images

12 / 31 Fotos

Bouquet -

Traditionally, the bouquet contains a sprig of myrtle. This tradition dates back to Queen Victoria.

© Getty Images

13 / 31 Fotos

Cakes -

There are usually two cakes in the wedding reception. This is one from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding.

© Getty Images

14 / 31 Fotos

Cakes -

The traditional flavor is fruitcake. Here are the wedding cakes of Charles and Diana (left), and William and Kate (right).

© Getty Images

15 / 31 Fotos

Cakes -

A piece of the wedding cake is then sent by mail to guests as a thank-you.

© Getty Images

16 / 31 Fotos

The Royal family pays for the wedding -

Which goes against many cultures' traditions where the bride's family usually pays for the wedding.

© Getty Images

17 / 31 Fotos

Glass coach -

The Royal family usually travels to and from the wedding venue in this carriage. Though it wasn't used in the latest royal weddings.

© Getty Images

18 / 31 Fotos

Special seats -

Traditionally, the royal family sits on the right side of the church during the wedding ceremony. Unless the groom is not royal, in which case they sit on the left side.

© Getty Images

19 / 31 Fotos

Bridesgroom doesn't have a best man -

Instead they have "supporters." Prince William broke this tradition by naming his brother best man.

© Getty Images

20 / 31 Fotos

Children are an important part of the wedding -

Royal weddings have designated page boys and bridesmaids.

© Getty Images

21 / 31 Fotos

Royal wedding bands -

These are traditionally made of Welsh gold.

© Shutterstock

22 / 31 Fotos

Appearance at Buckingham Palace -

Following the wedding, newlyweds make an appearance and kiss in front of the crowd.

© Getty Images

23 / 31 Fotos

There is an official wedding portrait -

Like this one from Prince Charles and Diana's wedding.

© Getty Images

24 / 31 Fotos

Women are required to wear hats -

Hats are a big part of royal weddings. Most women wear them.

© Getty Images

25 / 31 Fotos

There are two wedding receptions -

Traditionally, there's an official seated wedding breakfast after the ceremony, and then a gathering in the evening.

© Getty Images

26 / 31 Fotos

A princess is not always a princess -

Women who marry royal male heirs get their husbands' titles, but do not automatically become princesses.

© Getty Images

27 / 31 Fotos

A princess is not always a princess -

They don't have the "princess" title before their names unless they have royal blood, i.e. Diana, Princess of Wales.

© Getty Images

28 / 31 Fotos

Princes also have bachelor parties -

Or as the British call it: a stag party.

© Getty Images

29 / 31 Fotos

No politics -

Royals have a public role, so when you marry a royal you can't be active in politics.

See also: Memorable weddings held at the White House

© Getty Images

30 / 31 Fotos

© Getty Images

0 / 31 Fotos

There's an engagement announcement -

An official engagement announcement is made to the public.

©

Getty Images

1 / 31 Fotos

There's an engagement announcement -

A photo shoot is also part of the occasion. Remember this one from Harry and Meghan?

©

Getty Images

2 / 31 Fotos

There's an interview -

The royal engagement announcement is usually followed by an interview.

©

NL Beeld

3 / 31 Fotos

The Queen or the King must approve the marriage -

In line with the Royal Marriages Act of 1772, royals must get permission from the sovereign to marry.

©

Getty Images

4 / 31 Fotos

Royals can't marry Catholics - The 1701 Act of Settlement prohibits this from happening. Meghan Markle, for instance, had to be baptized into the Church of England before her wedding.

© Getty Images

5 / 31 Fotos

The monarch sends the invitations -

The wedding invitations are sent out in the name of the sovereign.

©

Getty Images

6 / 31 Fotos

The most traditional site for a royal ceremony -

Traditionally, the Chapel Royal at St. James Palace has housed most royal weddings, including those of Queen Anne, George III, George IV, Queen Victoria, and George V.

©

Getty Images

7 / 31 Fotos

The bride must wear white -

This is a tradition in many parts of the world, but it wasn't a tradition in the royal family until Queen Victoria got married in 1840.

©

Getty Images

8 / 31 Fotos

Wedding dresses are made out of lace -

Like the Princess of Wales' wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.

©

Getty Images

9 / 31 Fotos

Tiara -

The royal bride always wears a tiara. Here's Meghan Markle wearing Queen Mary's bandeau tiara.

©

Getty Images

10 / 31 Fotos

Military uniform -

Traditionally, royal males serve in the military, so they wear a military uniform to their weddings.

©

Getty Images

11 / 31 Fotos

Bouquet -

Since the wedding of Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, all royal brides have left their bouquet at the grave of the 'Unknown Warrior' in Westminster Abbey.

©

Getty Images

12 / 31 Fotos

Bouquet -

Traditionally, the bouquet contains a sprig of myrtle. This tradition dates back to Queen Victoria.

©

Getty Images

13 / 31 Fotos

Cakes -

There are usually two cakes in the wedding reception. This is one from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding.

©

Getty Images

14 / 31 Fotos

Cakes -

The traditional flavor is fruitcake. Here are the wedding cakes of Charles and Diana (left), and William and Kate (right).

©

Getty Images

15 / 31 Fotos

Cakes -

A piece of the wedding cake is then sent by mail to guests as a thank-you.

©

Getty Images

16 / 31 Fotos

The Royal family pays for the wedding -

Which goes against many cultures' traditions where the bride's family usually pays for the wedding.

©

Getty Images

17 / 31 Fotos

Glass coach -

The Royal family usually travels to and from the wedding venue in this carriage. Though it wasn't used in the latest royal weddings.

©

Getty Images

18 / 31 Fotos

Special seats -

Traditionally, the royal family sits on the right side of the church during the wedding ceremony. Unless the groom is not royal, in which case they sit on the left side.

©

Getty Images

19 / 31 Fotos

Bridesgroom doesn't have a best man -

Instead they have "supporters." Prince William broke this tradition by naming his brother best man.

©

Getty Images

20 / 31 Fotos

Children are an important part of the wedding -

Royal weddings have designated page boys and bridesmaids.

©

Getty Images

21 / 31 Fotos

Royal wedding bands -

These are traditionally made of Welsh gold.

©

Shutterstock

22 / 31 Fotos

Appearance at Buckingham Palace -

Following the wedding, newlyweds make an appearance and kiss in front of the crowd.

©

Getty Images

23 / 31 Fotos

There is an official wedding portrait -

Like this one from Prince Charles and Diana's wedding.

©

Getty Images

24 / 31 Fotos

Women are required to wear hats -

Hats are a big part of royal weddings. Most women wear them.

©

Getty Images

25 / 31 Fotos

There are two wedding receptions -

Traditionally, there's an official seated wedding breakfast after the ceremony, and then a gathering in the evening.

©

Getty Images

26 / 31 Fotos

A princess is not always a princess -

Women who marry royal male heirs get their husbands' titles, but do not automatically become princesses.

©

Getty Images

27 / 31 Fotos

A princess is not always a princess -

They don't have the "princess" title before their names unless they have royal blood, i.e. Diana, Princess of Wales.

©

Getty Images

28 / 31 Fotos

Princes also have bachelor parties -

Or as the British call it: a stag party.

©

Getty Images

29 / 31 Fotos

No politics -

Royals have a public role, so when you marry a royal you can't be active in politics.

See also: Memorable weddings held at the White House

©

Getty Images

30 / 31 Fotos

The British Royal family's strict marriage traditions

Did you know a piece of the wedding cake is mailed to guests?

The British Royal family's strict marriage traditions

© Getty Images

03/04/25 | StarsInsider

CELEBRITY Celebrity

In 2011, Prince William and Kate Middleton brought us the excitement of witnessing the first royal wedding since Diana and Charles tied the knot in 1981. And not so long ago, in 2018, his brother Prince Harry followed, and married Meghan Markle.

We love weddings, and royal weddings have the pomp and circumstance that most of us can only dream of. But what is really going on behind the scenes, what are the rules and traditions that must be followed for a royal wedding to happen?

Browse through the gallery to delve into the strict marriage traditions of the British Royal family.

Don’t miss out...

on the latest TV shows, movies, music, and exclusive content from the entertainment industry!

I accept terms & conditions and privacy policy.

I want to receive Exclusive Offers from partners (advertising)

You can easily unsubscribe at any time

Thank you for subscribing