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30 Strict Marriage Traditions the Royal Family Must Follow
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30 Strict Marriage Traditions the Royal Family Must Follow

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, take notes

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By Annabelle Fernandez - published

If you haven't heard by now, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are *officially* engaged. Kensington Palace confirmed the wedding will take place May 2018, and we can hardly contain our excitement (!!!). Even though Prince Harry and Meghan's romance has broken many age-old traditions, there's still strict engagement and wedding rules we can expect them to abide by. Ahead, 30 marriage traditions that have existed throughout royal history.

This article originally appeared on Harper's BAZAAR US. 

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The well-known tradition actually started with Queen Victoria in 1840. Photo: Getty
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No, we're not kidding. Pictured above is a slice from William and Kate's 2011 wedding. Guess you can really have your cake and eat it too! Photo: Getty
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...because royals have to maintain a public role. Plot twist: Prince Harry *had* to meet with Melania to maintain bipartisanship because he's BFFs with Barack and Michelle Obama (kidding but not). Photo: Getty
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Kate Middleton's dress was designed by Sarah Burton and Princess Diana's dress was designed by Elizabeth Emanuel. Taking picks on who will design Markle's gown.
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...since it's tradition for royal males to serve in the military.
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...and <strike>wave</strike> kiss in front of the crowd. ? (We are all the little girl on the left.)
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...and instead of a bachelorette party the woman has a "Hen party." (FYI Diddy and Kanye were NOT at Prince William's Hen party.) Photo: Getty
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There's a big difference between a Princess and a Duchess, and people are still debating whether Kate Middleton is both. Meghan Markle won't be considered a princess because she doesn't have royal blood. So technically Princess Diana shouldn't even be called Princess Diana—she's Diana, Princess of Wales.
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The honor of having the princess title precede your first name is reserved for ladies born into the royal family. Photo: Getty
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Lookin' at you, Meghan Markle (and Kate Middleton and Princess Diana and pretty much every royal we've known in our lifetime). Photo: Getty
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True story. Meghan Markle met the queen multiple times, and spent quite a bit of time with her before Harry proposed. The Royal Marriages Act of 1772 also requires it. Photo: Getty
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Most British weddings are held at noon and are followed by a seated luncheon called a "wedding breakfast." There's also a gathering in the evening. Photo: Getty
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They're known to make an appearance at royal events, and weddings are no exception—especially in the spring. Photo: Getty
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The royals are the head of the Church of England, which is a Protestant Anglican church. The goal of the Act is to keep the Protestant heritage alive and well. Markle will be baptized into the Church of England before the wedding. Photo: Getty
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The only exception is if the groom is not royal, in which case they sit on the left. Photo: Getty
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...even though American tradition calls for the bride's family to pay for the wedding. Photo: Getty
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This began with the wedding of the Queen's late mother in 1923. It's three times more valuable than gold from Australia or South Africa (!!!). Speaking of rings, you can get a peek at Meghan Markle's engagement ring here. Photo: Getty
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However, Prince William broke this tradition when he named his brother best man. According to The Guardian, "Bridegrooms in royal weddings traditionally chose a 'supporter' instead of a best man. The Prince of Wales chose his brother Prince Andrew to be his supporter when he married Diana at St Paul's Cathedral in 1981." Photo: Getty
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AKA groomsmen. The page boys and bridesmaids of Prince William's wedding are pictured above. Prince George was a page boy at Pippa Middleton's wedding. Photo: Getty
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However, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge traveled by car and Princess Diana and Prince Charles took a carriage. Photo: Getty
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Queen Elizabeth gave the "Cambridge Lover's Knot Tiara" to Princess Diana as a wedding gift and it's often seen on Kate Middleton. Photo: Getty
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It housed the weddings of Queen Anne (1683), George III (1761), George IV (1795), Queen Victoria (1840), and George V (1893). Kensington Palace announced Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wedding will take place at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle—straying from tradition. Kate Middleton and Prince William's wedding took place in Westminister Abbey. Photo: Getty
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AKA flowers that have been used in royal tradition dating back to Queen Victoria. It’s known as the “herb of love.” Photo: Getty
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...which is a spot in Westminister Abbey that all brides since Queen Elizabeth I have left their bouquets following the wedding. Photo: Getty
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On the left is the royal wedding cake of Prince Charles and Princess Diana in 1981, and on the right Prince William and Catherine's in 2011.
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Would you LOOK at the details on Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding cake. ?
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The Queen sent out 1,900 invitations for Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding. Photo: Getty
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There's actually a big difference between Prince William and Prince Harry's interviews—from the atmosphere to the body language to the outfits. See for yourself here. Photo: Getty
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...like this one from Prince William and Catherine's wedding. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding is going to take place in May, and Kate Middleton's expected to give birth to her third child in April. Perhaps the new addition will make the portrait?! ? Photo: Getty
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Does Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's get anymore adorable? Probably not. Photo: Getty
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Tags

British Royal FamilyKate MiddletonMeghan MarklePrince CharlesPrince HarryPrince WilliamPrincess DianaQueen ElizabethRoyal MarriageRoyal TraditionRoyal WeddingsRoyals
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