Britain prepares for a cozier royal coupling
This young century is about to celebrate its second royal wedding of note Saturday, and I haven’t even ordered my commemorative tea towel of Harry and Meghan yet.
For the last big bash, in 2011, I was pre-kids with heels on the ground in London. I had convinced my mother that William and Kate marrying on her birthday meant there would be no shortage of festivities, along with souvenirs emblazoned with her birthdate.
And did I mention the bunting? Nothing sets the tone like bunting.
The second time around, I find myself more relaxed than Meghan Markle’s messy hair buns, which I think speaks to the tone of this royal couple. While the wedding timeline will be executed with military precision, there is a fresh and modern feel as the younger royals loosen old constraints.
There’s a freedom of expression and emotion afforded to the former spare, who has been bumped even further down the line of succession after the births of Prince William’s George, Charlotte and Louis. And because of that, there is an accessibility to him. Harry feels relatable — your favorite cousin who brings life to the party.
Markle is an American actress and a champion of women’s causes, and happens to be divorced. In this generation of royals, being an American divorcée hasn’t raised an eyebrow like the scandal involving Wallace Simpson in 1936.
What might be most significant is that this soon-to-be senior member of the royal family is biracial. She has been candid on the subject. Writing for Elle magazine in 2016, Markle said, “While my mixed heritage may have created a grey area surrounding my self-identification, keeping me with a foot on both sides of the fence, I have come to embrace that. To say who I am, to share where I’m from, to voice my pride in being a strong, confident mixed-race woman.”
On Saturday, Markle will be accompanied by her black mother, Doria Ragland, to St. George’s Chapel in Windsor, where she will be escorted down the aisle by her white father, Thomas Markle. Though it’s hard to find a princess fairy tale relatable to real life, for once, the lead character will resemble the diverse ethnicity that makes up her home of London and beyond.
What’s also refreshing about this modern couple is their wedding guest list. No political leaders will be invited, just personal friends and family in the chapel. In addition, they invited over 2,600 members of the public to the grounds of Windsor Castle.
“Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle have said they want their wedding day to be shaped so as to allow members of the public to feel part of the celebrations too,” a palace press release said.
The invitees will be able to watch the arrivals of the bride, groom and guests, and then their departure in the carriage procession. Given I was 1 in a million, standing on foot for hours, at William and Kate’s nuptials, a head count of 2,600 sounds downright intimate.
What’s also appetizing about the big day is that the betrothed have good taste. The old fruit cake has been given a delicious revision; guests will be treated to lemon elderflower wedding cake with buttercream frosting, a nod to this spring celebration.
The wedding invitation, while very traditional in its presentation, was printed with American ink on British paper.
It offered the old-school method of sending a reply in your own hand and stationery to the Lord Chamberlain or RSVPing via email. These are millennials, after all.
The vocabulary for attire is uniquely British. This most special affair calls for traditional morning dress, which doesn’t mean your bathrobe and fuzzy slippers. The term comes from a time when men rode horses and weddings took place in the morning (hence a wedding breakfast). The invitation reads: Dress: Uniform, Morning Coat or Lounge Suit Day Dress with Hat The lounge suit does not equate to matching gym pants and hoodies. It’s what the British call a coat and tie. The uniform refers to a military uniform. The morning coat is what we Americans might recognize as “tails,” the most formal of the suits. This singlebreasted jacket with peaked lapels is traditionally worn in gray. It is worn over a gray or plain-colored waist coat — that’s a vest to you local gents — which is worn over a pale shirt and tie.
Prince Harry, who served in the military for 10 years, may opt to wear his uniform; however, he would have to shave his signature ginger beard, as is policy.
What’s interesting is that the description was printed for the ladies. With a guest list heavy with Americans, adding the women’s dress code on the invite ensures no one will feel underdressed compared to their millinery-laden British counterparts.
An elegant suit or dress should be complemented by a hat or fascinator, a small headpiece often made with feathers that is pinned in the hair. Long sleeves are a must.
Given Markle was raised on Hollywood sets, there are bound to be a few celebrities on hand.
However, it’s hard not be star struck by the longest-reigning British monarch. To avoid deer-in-the-headlights embarrassment upon being introduced to the queen, gentlemen bow with a tilt of their heads, and ladies curtsy with a dignified bob. Queen Elizabeth is the first to speak and extend her hand. In conversation, she is addressed as “Your Majesty” and subsequently “Ma’am,” pronounced like “jam.”
As the royal nuptials coincide with the eve of wedding season, bridal parties and guests will be influenced by the media frenzy across the pond covering every detail of this American and British union. When you receive your next wedding invite requiring top hat and tails, fancy frocks and fascinators, you are sure to be a royal success.
Bizia Greene is an etiquette expert and owns the Etiquette School of Santa Fe. Send your conundrums to hello@ etiquettesantafe.com or 505-988-2070.