How guests will be expected to behave at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding
Some of us can but dream of landing an invite to the biggest gig of the year—Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding.
But, once the invite has plopped onto lucky attendees' doormats, there's much more than just outfit planning to be considered. This is a royal wedding, remember, and that means guests will be expected to behave in a certain way.
Mashable spoke to etiquette experts to find out just how high the bar is set for guests' at the royal nuptials.
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Get to the church on time
It seems that no latecomers will be admitted on the big day. British etiquette expert William Hanson says that guests will need to get to the church on time because tardiness won't be tolerated.
"The more important you are, the later you turn up."
"The British like being punctual," says Hanson. "But, you have got to turn up really, really early to this event." He says guests who've already confirmed their attendance will have been sent a booklet of "instructions and logistics for the day," including what time to arrive. Your allocated time of arrival will actually depend on how important you are.
"The more important you are, the later you turn up," says Hanson. "The Queen being the last person to turn up before the bride." So, friends of Harry and Meghan who "have no status" will have to rock up to the chapel first, while people like world leaders or politicians will show up much later.
No selfies with the Duchess of Kent (or anyone)
Most of us take the odd snap when we watch our friends or family walk down the aisle. But, personal photography likely not be encouraged at Harry and Meghan's big day.
"The instructions might even tell you not to bring cameraphones at all," says Hanson. The reason for this rule is largely for security reasons, but there's also a privacy element to it as well. The rule applies to both the ceremony and reception too, according to Hanson. "So, no selfies with the Duchess of Kent. Or anyone," he says. Duly noted.
Kate Beavis, from wedding blog Magpie Wedding, says that guests may have their phones taken off them upon arrival. According to Beavis, the royal family will be keen to avoid any photos taken by guests being leaked.
Stick to the dress code
According to Beavis, the Queen issued an edict on "what can and cannot happen at a royal wedding' back in 2011 when William and Kate tied the knot.
"This included hem lengths for guests (knee length), be smartly dressed in a jacket/suit, and that no one should wear white," says Beavis. "No bare shoulders for guests and no floor length gowns."
Hanson says it's imperative that guests stick to the dress code, which is clearly marked on the invites. "Dress: Uniform, morning coat or lounge suit. Day dress with hat," reads the invite.
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Hanson says female attendees should wear hats, and "no fascinators." "This is the chance for Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie to redeem themselves on the hat front," says Hanson.
Play it cool
Wedding etiquette expert Jo Bryant says guests will need to play it cool around any VIPs in attendance.
"Guests should avoid being overfamiliar with or starstruck by anyone royal or famous," says Bryant. You've been warned. "If they are presented to a member of the royal family, they should bow or curtsey," she adds.
Don't disgrace yourself
This one is a good rule of thumb for all weddings, to be honest. In fact, it's a good rule for life, in general.
Both Bryant and Hanson are in agreement on this one: "Know your limits." Hanson advises sticking to "under" your limits, so you "don't disgrace yourself." Bryant says guests at the reception should steer clear of overindulging in booze, and "know when to stop."
No talking to the press afterwards
No one likes a blabbermouth. But, the royal family would take exception to anyone running to the press to spill the beans on what they witnessed behind closed doors at the wedding.
"If you are so fortunate to have been invited to the wedding, no talking to the press afterwards about what happened, or conversations you had, or 'this is what they first danced to,'" says Hanson. "This is a guaranteed way to make sure you're not invited back to any future events."
Wait for the Queen
If you want to make a swift exit to go to the loo after the speeches, you'll have to think twice. Hanson says that guests shouldn't leave the room until the Queen does so.
"Don’t leave the room until the queen leaves the room, whether that's in the chapel or during the reception," says Hanson. "Once the queen is in the room, you are in the room until she leaves the room."
The same rule applies to food. "Don’t start eating until the Queen starts," he says. And, the moment she drops her knife and fork, all guests must do the same.
So, if you're lucky enough to have nabbed an invite to the Wedding Of The Year™, you'd do well to mind you manners. Enjoy!
Rachel Thompson is the Features Editor at Mashable. Rachel's second non-fiction book The Love Fix: Reclaiming Intimacy in a Disconnected World is out now, published by Penguin Random House in Jan. 2025. The Love Fix explores why dating feels so hard right now, why we experience difficult emotions in the realm of love, and how we can change our dating culture for the better.
A leading sex and dating writer in the UK, Rachel has written for GQ, The Guardian, The Sunday Times Style, The Telegraph, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Stylist, ELLE, The i Paper, Refinery29, and many more.
Rachel's first book Rough: How Violence Has Found Its Way Into the Bedroom And What We Can Do About It, a non-fiction investigation into sexual violence was published by Penguin Random House in 2021.
