Etiquette expert William Hanson reveals how Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could break with tradition on their wedding day
FROM glossy fashion shoots to kissing in public, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle aren’t afraid to break away from royal protocol.
Now a top etiquette expert believes the pair, who announced their engagement today, could also raise eyebrows when it comes to their spring 2018 wedding.
predicts it will be a much “smaller and intimate affair” than the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s 2011 nuptials, but Meghan is likely to don an ivory frock – despite it being her second wedding.
The Suits actress, 36, was previously married to film producer Trevor Engelson. They divorced in 2013, citing “irreconcilable differences”.
“Most women don’t want to make a song and dance about their second wedding,” William told The Sun Online.
“Brides will normally get married in a nice dress with a suited jacket and matching hat.
“But the public may be disappointed if it doesn’t look like a wedding. I think she might wear ivory or a slight off-white.
"They may have to find a happy compromise about second weddings and what happens at royal weddings.”
William says it is “very unconventional” for divorced women to marry into the royal family.
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh have given the pair their blessing saying they were “delighted” and “wish them every happiness”.
William says Harry and Meghan’s nuptials “won’t be a state affair”, and they’ll try and add personal touches where possible.
“When William and Catherine got married they drove down The Mall in a vintage car, we haven’t really seen anything like that before,” he said.
“That’s hardly shocking but it was their little nod to the fact it’s a different time to when the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh got married.
“Harry and Meghan will think of the odd little thing. I think what everyone needs to remember the wedding we are going to get in spring next year is almost going to look like a very low budget registry office wedding in comparison to what we had in April 2011.”
William predicts it will be at Windsor Castle in St George Chapel, which is a “beautiful venue but it’s not Westminster Abbey in terms of scale”.
He believes Meghan may choose to break with tradition by having a large bridal party.
Serena Williams, Millie Mackintosh and Priyanka Chopra have been tipped as potential bridesmaids.
“For second weddings it’s very rare that brides chose to have bridesmaids or maids of honour,” William said.
“You might have one, but it shouldn’t be teams of children or people that Kate had behind her.
“Prince Harry’s chief supporter, which is the royal way of saying best man, will probably be his brother, William.”
William says Harry and Meghan are marking a new era for the royals, and a move towards a more emotive public profile.
“When they get married I think they’ll be more tactile, Americans in general are more tactile,” he said.
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“I think there’s going to be a lot of hand holding, even when going about their official duties.
“Prince Harry is fairly informal. I think some of the things he’s been saying over the past couple of years since he’s been in a relationship with Meghan Markle, have been emotive.
"There’s been a lot more telling people how he feels, which is not something you traditionally see with the royal family.”