British Royal Family Wedding Photos Show The Clear Differences Between Them (2024)

The Engagement Rings

Samir Hussein/WireImage

Samir Hussein/WireImage

The engagement ring that Prince William presented to Kate Middleton once belonged to William's late mother, Princess Diana. Now valued at $400,000, the 12-carat ring features an oval blue sapphire with cut faces. It's circled by stunning solitaire diamonds.

Meghan's engagement ring also features jewels from Princess Diana's collection, with two of her diamonds framing a center stone that Prince Harry purchased from Botswana, where the now-married couple first fell in love. Meghan's engagement ring is worth an estimated $350,000.

The brides received very different treatment in the press... read about that next.

Leading Up To The Big Day

Lev Radin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Lev Radin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Leading up to the big day, British tabloids painted a harsh portrayal of Meghan Markle. Labeled as an American actress with a family background unsuitable to marry into the British royal family, Meghan struggled to enjoy her engagement to Prince Harry.

Within two years of their wedding day, Prince Harry and Meghan made the decision to step away from their duties as senior royals. Some people who've closely followed the royal family point to differences in Kate and Meghan's weddings as an early sign that Meghan wouldn't fully commit to her new role.

Next: how did they look as they walked down the aisle?

Walking Down The Aisle

ANDREW MILLIGAN/AFP via Getty Images/DANNY LAWSON/AFP via Getty Images

ANDREW MILLIGAN/AFP via Getty Images/DANNY LAWSON/AFP via Getty Images

It's hard to fathom the amount of pressure on Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle as they each walked down the aisle on their big days with the entire world watching. The duch*ess of Cambridge was accompanied by her father, Michael Middleton, on her big day.

Unfortunately, the duch*ess of Sussex's father was experiencing health issues during the month of her wedding date, preventing him from traveling to London for the big event. Meghan walked down the aisle solo before being met by Prince Charles halfway.

The Two Wedding Reception Dresses

Steve Parsons - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Steve Parsons - WPA Pool/Getty Images

After their royal weddings, each duch*ess changed dresses and headed to the wedding reception that Prince Charles organized for each of his sons and their new wives. Kate wore a classic white Alexander McQueen dress for her reception.

Meghan's dress was designed by Stella McCartney and cost a reported $157,000. She was spotted wearing the stunning gown as she held hands with Prince Harry while he helped her into a blue vintage Jaguar.

The Kiss

BEN STANSALL/LEON NEAL/AFP via Getty Images

BEN STANSALL/LEON NEAL/AFP via Getty Images

Millions of viewers tuned in to witness the first kiss of the newlywed royal couples. Prince William and the duch*ess of Cambridge had their first kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the wedding ceremony at Westminister Abbey.

Prince Harry and the duch*ess of Sussex displayed their first wedded kiss right outside of St. George's Chapel following the wedding ceremony. Both couples beamed with happiness as the crowds cheered them on.

The Middletons' Attire For Both Weddings

CARL DE SOUZA/AFP via Getty Images/IAN WEST/AFP via Getty Images

CARL DE SOUZA/AFP via Getty Images/IAN WEST/AFP via Getty Images

Michael and Carole Middleton, the parents of Kate, are elite members of British society. The family has a long history of prominent lawyers and are very well-educated. They're no strangers to the British royals, as the two families have shared ties for quite a number of years.

For their daughter's royal wedding, Michael donned a suit and top hat, while the Mother of the Bride wore a light blue dress. Both wore similar outfits when they attended Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding in 2018.

Prince Charles' Two Outfits

Dan Kitwood/Getty Images/Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Dan Kitwood/Getty Images/Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty Images

While Prince Charles' second wife Camilla Parker wore similar outfits to both royal weddings, the father of Prince William and Prince Harry wore noticeably different attire for two of the biggest days in his sons' lives.

For Prince William and Kate's wedding, Charles donned his royal uniform, complete with all its regalia. For Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding, Prince Charles wore a simple grey suit that paired well with Camilla's light pink dress and hat.

The Two Tiaras

Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty Images/Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty Images/Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Nothing about a royal wedding is average, which is part of why so many people tune in to watch. One aspect that sets royal weddings apart from the rest is the incredible headwear that the brides don for the event.

At her wedding, Kate wore a Cartier tiara that was given to Queen Elizabeth II on her 18th birthday. Meghan also wore a tiara that belonged to the Queen. The Diamond Bandeau Tiara was designed in 1932. For her wedding day, Meghan swapped the sapphire center stone for a diamond.

The Beckhams

Danny Martindale/FilmMagic/Chris Radburn - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Danny Martindale/FilmMagic/Chris Radburn - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Star soccer player David Beckham and his wife, fashion designer and former pop star Victoria Beckham, attended both royal weddings. David wore a grey morning suit and top hat for Prince William and Kate's wedding while Victoria wore a sleek navy dress and hat.

For Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding, the couple wore similar colors with David sporting a close haircut and beard instead of a top hat. The famous couple reportedly donated their outfits from the wedding to raise money for charity.

The Royal Wedding Cakes

Lewis Whyld/WPA Pool/ Getty Images/Steve Parsons

Lewis Whyld/WPA Pool/ Getty Images/Steve Parsons

Prince William and Kate's wedding cake was made by Fiona Cairns and featured an incredible eight tiers. The couple selected fruitcake as their flavor and had a second cake made that was chocolate, for guests who didn't like fruitcake, costing a total of $160,000.

Prince Harry and Meghan opted for a lemon sponge cake with elderflower syrup and Amalfi lemon curd for their big day. Made by Claire Ptak, the cake reportedly cost between $60,000 and $75,000.

A Closer Look At The Beautiful Bouquets

Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images/Victoria Jones - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images/Victoria Jones - WPA Pool/Getty Images

The wedding bouquets that Kate and Meghan held at their respective weddings look quite similar but have important differences between the two. Middleton's delicately small bouquet was designed by Shane Connolly and features all-white flowers, each representing something that the couple wishes for their marriage, including happiness and steady love.

Designed by Philippa Craddock, Meghan's bouquet included flowers that were handpicked by Prince Harry and symbolized hopes for their marriage, including dedication and love.

Kate Had A Maid Of Honor, Meghan Had Page Boys

Antony Jones/Julian Parker/Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images/Owen Humphreys - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Antony Jones/Julian Parker/Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images/Owen Humphreys - WPA Pool/Getty Images

As expected, Kate Middleton asked her younger sister Pippa to act as her Maid of Honor and carry her train down the aisle at Westminster Abbey. The two sisters are very close and lived together before Kate's wedding day.

On the other hand, Meghan didn't select a Maid of Honor, although she had several of her best friends in attendance at her royal wedding. Two page boys carried the train of Meghan's dress at St. George's Chapel.

The Grooms

Gareth Fuller/PA Images via Getty Images/BRIAN LAWLESS/AFP via Getty Images

Gareth Fuller/PA Images via Getty Images/BRIAN LAWLESS/AFP via Getty Images

Both Prince William and Prince Harry served in the military and wore their uniforms on their wedding days, as it's tradition for royal grooms to marry in military dress. William, a Colonel, wore a red Irish Guards uniform. He was the first royal groom to wear red since Captain Mark Phillips in 1973.

Prince Harry wore a Blues and Royals military uniform on his wedding day. He opted to wear a Major's uniform, even though he was appointed as Captain General of the Royal Marines.

Next, let's compare the two wedding dresses. First, duch*ess Kate.

duch*ess Catherine Of Cambridge's Dress

Anthony Devlin/PA Images via Getty Images

Anthony Devlin/PA Images via Getty Images

The world waited with bated breath to see what dress Kate Middleton would wear as she married the future King. The duch*ess of Cambridge selected a gown designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. The dress was widely popular as viewers noted the blend of tradition and modern elegance, costing a reported $450,000.

Kate's dress featured lace that was handcrafted by the Royal School of Needlework and a nine-foot train. The back of the dress was extremely detailed with no less than 58 organza-covered buttons and Rouleau loops.

Some Thought Kate Wore White To Meghan's Wedding

Jane Barlow/PA Images via Getty Images

Jane Barlow/PA Images via Getty Images

Traditionally, no one except the bride is supposed to wear white to a wedding. However, at first glance, many thought that the duch*ess of Cambridge bent the rules on this one. Looking closer in different lighting, however, Kate's elegant Alexander McQueen coat was a primrose yellow.

Having just given birth to Prince Louis three weeks prior, Kate looked stunning, pairing the stylish light yellow coat with a Philip Treacy hat.

Next, duch*ess Meghan's wedding dress.

The Mother Of The Bride

Dan Kitwood/Getty Images/Gareth Fuller - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Dan Kitwood/Getty Images/Gareth Fuller - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Carole Middleton didn't want to take the shine away from her daughter, the duch*ess of Cambridge, on her big day. Her pale blue dress, designed by Catherine Walker, was the perfect shade for the spring wedding. The Mother of the Bride looked elated on Kate's big day.

Meghan's mother Doria Ragland flew in from Los Angeles to show her support for Prince Harry and Meghan's royal wedding. She wore a light green Oscar de la Renta dress, looking happy as ever as Meghan married her prince charming.

The duch*ess Of Sussex's Wedding Dress

ANDREW MATTHEWS/AFP via Getty Images

ANDREW MATTHEWS/AFP via Getty Images

Designed by Clare Waight Keller of Givenchy, the duch*ess of Sussex wore a silk dress on her wedding day. The dress featured an open boat neckline with an otherwise simple design, free of lace or any other embellishments.

The duch*ess did incorporate a piece of fabric from her blue dress that she wore on her first date with Prince Harry. Although her train was modest, Meghan's veil was an incredible 16.5 feet long.

Not Everyone Was Invited To The Evening Wedding Receptions

Nick Ansell/AFP via Getty Images/DOMINIC LIPINSKI/AFP via Getty Images

Nick Ansell/AFP via Getty Images/DOMINIC LIPINSKI/AFP via Getty Images

Following each royal wedding is the evening reception. Not everyone who attends the grandiose weddings is invited to attend the evening receptions. Most guests changed outfits after the wedding for the magical night, which wasn't shared publicly.

Prince William and Kate Middleton held their evening reception at Buckingham Palace, while Prince Harry and Meghan held their reception at St. George's Hall in Windsor Castle. Both events followed tradition with speeches, toasts, and well wishes to the newly-wed couples.

There was one guest at Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding that many noticed was not invited to the evening reception...

The Price Tag Of Each Wedding

John Stillwell/PA Images via Getty Images/Jane Barlow/PA Images via Getty Images

John Stillwell/PA Images via Getty Images/Jane Barlow/PA Images via Getty Images

It's no secret that both royal weddings cost well above the average wedding for a commoner. Every detail of the event is given proper attention, as the weddings of the British royal family become a part of history. The incredible guest list alone will have the numbers skyrocketing.

In total, Prince William and Kate's 2011 wedding hosted 2,500 guests and cost $34 million. In 2018, Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding had fewer guests (600) yet cost a reported $55 million.

Chelsy Davy's Royal Wedding Outfits

Martin Fraser/FilmMagic/Pool/Max Mumby/Getty Images

Martin Fraser/FilmMagic/Pool/Max Mumby/Getty Images

Before Meghan Markle, Prince Harry had an on-again-off-again relationship with Chelsy Davy, a businesswoman from Zimbabwe, that spanned seven years. Harry and Chelsy dated from 2004 until 2011, and she was invited to both Prince William and Prince Harry's weddings.

At the time of Prince William's wedding, Harry and Chelsy had just broken up. Parade magazine reports that the enormity of the event kept Harry and Chelsy apart for good, as Chelsy realized the royal family life wasn't for her. She wasn't invited to Prince Harry and Meghan's evening reception.

From Light To Bright: The Queen's Royal Wedding Attire

Kurt Krieger/Corbis via Getty Images/Pool/Max Mumby/Getty Images

Kurt Krieger/Corbis via Getty Images/Pool/Max Mumby/Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II is known for wearing bright outfits. She's been quoted as saying, "I can never wear beige because nobody will know who I am." For Prince William and Kate's wedding, the Queen wore a primrose yellow long sleeve dress with a matching hat.

In 2018, when she attended Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding, the Queen opted for a brighter green coat over a purple dress. She paired it with a matching green hat with purple feather ornamentation.

The Royal Wedding Veils

Samir Hussein/WireImage/Ben Birchall - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Samir Hussein/WireImage/Ben Birchall - WPA Pool/Getty Images

While Kate's wedding dress train topped Meghan's, it was Meghan's veil that stunned guests and everyone watching from home. Kate's veil was a top-secret project of the Royal School of Needlework that paired elegantly with the tiara borrowed from the Queen.

Clare Waight Keller designed Meghan's 16.5-foot-long veil that featured the wildflowers of 53 countries after Meghan made a request that all the Commonwealth's nations be represented in her veil design.

Pippa Middleton's Outfits Caught Attention

CARL DE SOUZA/AFP via Getty Images/Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage

CARL DE SOUZA/AFP via Getty Images/Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage

The younger sister of the duch*ess of Cambridge, Pippa Middleton was the Maid of Honor at her sister's wedding in 2011. Pippa's gown featured a design that complemented her sister's and the bridesmaids' dresses while also standing apart. Her reputation grew after the event as viewers were captivated with Kate's younger sister.

Pippa, who got married herself in 2017, attended Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding wearing a light green floral dress with a hefty price tag of $650,000.

The Bride's Earrings

BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images/Pool/Max Mumby/Getty Images

BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images/Pool/Max Mumby/Getty Images

On her wedding day, the duch*ess of Cambridge selected a pair of Robinson Pelham diamond earrings. Costing a reported $20,000, the earrings featured a teardrop shape that complemented her diamond tiara.

Meghan wore Cartier earrings when she wed Prince Harry. The diamond and white gold earrings paired well with her tiara, which was borrowed from the Queen who inherited it from Queen Mary in 1953. Meghan also wore a Reflection de Cartier diamond bracelet.

Princess Anne Wore Different Shades of Purple

Ian Gavan/GP/Getty Images/CHRIS JACKSON/AFP via Getty Images

Ian Gavan/GP/Getty Images/CHRIS JACKSON/AFP via Getty Images

We mustn't forget about Princess Anne. The daughter of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, Princess Anne attended both of her nephews' weddings in style. For Prince William and Kate's wedding, she wore a purple and green collared coat paired with a bright purple hat, choosing colors similar to her mother's.

For Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding, Princess Anne wore a deeper purple coat with a wrap style. She accessorized the look with a purple-hued hairpiece and clutch.

The Crowds On The Big Day

Chris Ison/PA Images via Getty Images/EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images

Chris Ison/PA Images via Getty Images/EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images

Prince William and Kate's wedding had far more guests and a far larger crowd than Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding. It makes sense, as one day Prince William will most likely be named King. The couple also had the bigger wedding venue, bringing nearly 2,000 people to catch a glimpse of the action at Westminister Abbey.

On the day of Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding, an unknown number of people flocked to Windsor Castle to be in the presence of the newlyweds. However, not as many people were able to gather at the smaller venue of St. George's Chapel.

The Phillips' Attire - Prince William And Harry's Cousin

Mike Marsland/WireImage/Pool/Max Mumby/Getty Images

Mike Marsland/WireImage/Pool/Max Mumby/Getty Images

The eldest grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II, Peter Phillips attended both royal weddings with his wife Autumn. The couple has two daughters together, Savannah and Isla. Autumn Kelly wore a stunning purple collared dress with a flared skirt to Prince William and Kate's wedding.

When she and Peter attended Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding, Autumn wore am elegant long-sleeved royal blue dress with a teal hat and her hair down.

Lady Kitty Spencer's Elegant Dresses

Anthony Devlin/PA Images via Getty Images/Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Anthony Devlin/PA Images via Getty Images/Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

The absence and memory of Princess Diana was strongly felt at both Prince William and Prince Harry's weddings. Each of her sons paid tribute to their late mother in their own ways, keeping her memory close on their big days.

Lady Kitty Spencer, the niece of Princess Diana and cousin of Prince William and Prince Harry, attended both of her cousins' weddings. She wore a light, tightly-fitted beige dress to William's wedding. For Harry's, Kitty wore a green square neck dress with a colorful floral design on the skirt.

Prince Philip's Attire

Chris Jackson/Getty Images/GARETH FULLER/AFP via Getty Images

Chris Jackson/Getty Images/GARETH FULLER/AFP via Getty Images

Prince William and Prince Harry's grandfather Prince Phillip was a proud man on both of their wedding days. Prince William wore red on his wedding day while Prince Philip attended the event wearing his red Grenadier Guards Uniform.

However, to Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding, Prince Philip opted to leave his uniform behind and wear a formal suit with a blue tie. He might have preferred the more casual suit over the uniform due to his recent hip surgery that could add extra discomfort.

Keep reading for more differences between the two duch*esses.

Kate Is Very Close With Her Siblings

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Kate Middleton's two siblings have become recognizable as the duch*ess is very close with her brother and sister. Kate's younger sister Pippa was her maid of honor at her and Prince William's wedding, and in turn, Kate was Pippa's maid of honor at her wedding.

Kate is also close with her younger brother, James Middleton, who is often spotted at royal family outings and read a bible verse at Kate and William's wedding.

Meghan Doesn't Keep In Touch With Her Siblings

Samir Hussein/WireImage

Samir Hussein/WireImage

While Meghan is close with her mother Doria, the same can't be said about her relationship with her siblings. Meghan has two half-siblings from her father's side, Samantha Markle and Thomas Markle, Jr.

Her sister has bashed Meghan in interviews, while her brother has had a bit of trouble with the law. Although they spent time together growing up, Meghan has no real relationship with her siblings as an adult, and her mother Doria was the only family member to attend Meghan's wedding.

Kate's Fashion Is Traditional English And Extremely Popular

Karwai Tang/WireImage

Karwai Tang/WireImage

When things got serious between Kate Middleton and Prince William, Kate's fashion style made a noticeable shift to be more conservative and traditional. After getting engaged, and then married, the duch*ess became a fashion icon and "the Kate effect" was set in motion.

Her fashionable hats, coats, and conservative style of dressing is similar to Queen Elizabeth II. The two women also share a love of bold colors and extravagant jewelry pieces. Often times, labels that Kate is seen wearing sell out in a matter of minutes. After Kate was photographed wearing a polka dot maternity dress in 2015, it sold out in all sizes within 30 minutes.

Meghan's Style Is More Modern

Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Meghan was born in Los Angeles and raised in Hollywood, so her style is much different than Kate's, who grew up across the pond in an upper-middle-class family. The duch*ess of Sussex prefers tailored shorts and pants suits as opposed to traditional dresses.

She's also known to don sports jackets and loose-fitting collared shirts paired with heels. Meghan's wardrobe includes lots of moody blues that she accessorizes with stacked rings and small, simple earrings, opposed to the royal jewels and tiaras that Kate is often seen wearing.

Kate Is An Authentic Brit

Julian Simmonds-Pool/Getty Images

Julian Simmonds-Pool/Getty Images

While there were, of course, some critics of Kate Middleton when it was announced that she was dating Prince William, the couple seemed to be a perfect fit. Kate grew up in a wealthy family in Berkshire, England and followed a proper path of education, attending St. Andrew's School, Downe House School, Marlborough College, and the University of St Andrews, where she met her future husband.

Kate's family has plenty of elite social ties; her father was born into wealth and also has ties to the British aristocracy, making it likely that Kate and William would meet.

Meghan's LA Background

Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic

Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic

While Kate was born into wealth and set on a path of proper education and finding a suitor, Meghan took an interest in acting and pursued her career. She attended an all-girls Catholic private school in Los Angeles and went on to double major is theater and international studies at Northwestern University.

Meghan's father worked in television, as a director of photography and lighting, while her mother was a social worker and yoga instructor.

Kate Has Led A Life Of Privilege

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Even prior to getting married to Prince William, Kate Middleton lived a life of luxury. Her father was born into wealth and started an online party gift company that raked in millions. While Kate was attending school at the prestigious St. Andrews private school, she lived in her parents' apartment that’s estimated to be worth between $1.3 and $1.8 million.

While she’s put in the work for her education, Kate has never had to worry about money or being taken care of.

Meghan Was Given Lots Of Opportunities, But Not Like Kate

Steve Parsons - Pool / Getty Images

Steve Parsons - Pool / Getty Images

Meghan's father made a good living in Hollywood, which allowed him to send his daughter to a private school. However, Meghan’s lifestyle was nothing like Kate’s extravagant upbringing.

After Meghan’s parents divorced when she was six years old, Meghan was primarily raised by her mother. After college, between acting jobs, Meghan worked odd jobs like teaching calligraphy and bookbinding to make ends meet. She didn’t have the luxury of being put-up in a million-dollar apartment like Kate.

Kate Keeps Distance Between Her Fans

Arthur Edwards - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Arthur Edwards - WPA Pool/Getty Images

In photographs, Kate can be seen keeping a distance between herself and the public when she's greeting people who attend the events. Oftentimes, she’s seen holding her purse in front of her, a body language signal that she’s not open to handshaking or hugs.

On occasion, she’ll reach out and shake hands or accept flowers, but not every time. This is in part because she would be breaking royal protocol to have others touch her or snap a photo with the duch*ess.

Meghan Embraces Her Fans

Robin Nunn/Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage

Robin Nunn/Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage

Much different than the duch*ess of Cambridge, Meghan is quick to offer a hug to children and others that turn out to see the British royal family. Her warm personality is welcoming to fans, and they feel comfortable reaching out to her and asking for a hug or a photo.

When preparing to announce she was dating Prince Harry, Meghan deleted her popular blog and all of her social media accounts, but you can't blame her for still wanting to connect with fans.

Kate Keeps Her Opinions To Herself

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

One of the protocols for being a member of the British royal family includes staying neutral on political topics and social issues. Royals are not to comment on their opinion on matters, nor are they allowed to support a candidate or a cause that has two sides to it.

Since stepping into the spotlight dating Prince William, Kate as done an exemplary job of staying neutral on all topics and keeping her opinions to herself.

Meghan Has Always Been Outspoken

Mark Large - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Mark Large - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Since she was a young girl, Meghan has always been outspoken about her opinions and has taken a stance on social issues. In fact, when Meghan was just 11 years old, she was featured on Nick News with Linda Ellerbee for her campaign to have a Proctor and Gamble television commercial removed that she deemed sexist.

She also brought light to social issues including gender inequality on her popular blog The Tig before shutting it down. She can't undo the past, but the duch*ess has kept quiet since her engagement to Prince Harry.

Kate's Past Is A Clean Slate

Chris Jackson – Pool/Getty Images

Chris Jackson – Pool/Getty Images

Try as they might, media hasn't been able to get any dirt on Kate Middleton prior to her life as a royal married to Prince William. There may be a few photos of Kate from her college days where she isn’t dressed as sophisticated as she does now, but that’s to be expected.

It was an easy choice for Queen Elizabeth II to welcome Kate into the family, as she had no qualms about the duch*ess’ past.

The Queen might have had some concerns about Meghan, however.

Meghan Wasn't A Perfect Fit, But The Queen Warmed Up To Her

Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage

Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage

On paper, Meghan Markle wasn't the perfect fit to wed Prince Harry and join the royal family. Not only was she an American, but she was also a celebrity due to her acting career, and she had previously been married and divorced.

The Queen certainly took these into account when considering whether to give her approval to Prince Harry. In all fairness, Meghan was 34 years old when she met Harry, and had more life experiences than Kate when she met her prince at the young age of 19.

Kate Loves Playing Sports

Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage

Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage

In her leisure time, Kate Middleton enjoys being active and playing sports. She always joins in when the royal couple makes appearances at sporting events or with children. She's been spotted playing tennis, volleyball, rowing, and skiing, as her family takes trips to Switzerland.

While in boarding school, Kate ran cross country, was on the rowing team, the swim team, and played tennis and field hockey. She’s quite the athlete!

Meghan Enjoys Yoga

Mark Kolbe/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation

Mark Kolbe/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation

When it comes to being active, Meghan prefers to get on a yoga mat, like her mom. Meghan's mother Doria is a yoga instructor in Los Angeles, and Meghan has reportedly done yoga since the age of seven.

While living in Toronto, Meghan was seen carrying her yoga mat often. After marrying Prince Harry, Meghan was spotted going into a hot yoga class at Modo Yoga in NYC. A source told People, "She has been going to Modo yoga for many years and tries to do so whenever she is in New York. It was the perfect remedy for jet lag."

Kate And Prince William Rekindled Their Relationship

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Sparks flew when Kate and Prince William first met in college at St. Andrew's in 2001. They started dating in 2002 and formally announced their relationship in 2004 as they attended some family events together. Then in 2007, the couple split. Kate and William explained they both needed some space and time to themselves which makes sense, as both were graduated from college and finding their footing.

By 2008, they were back together. The Queen had always approved of their relationship, and in 2010, Prince William proposed during a trip to Kenya. The couple was married on April 29, 2011.

Meghan And Harry Moved At A Faster Pace

Karwai Tang/WireImage

Karwai Tang/WireImage

While Kate and Prince William were together for nine years before they were married, Meghan and Prince Harry's relationship moved at a much quicker pace. The couple met in 2016 when they were set up on a blind date. Feeling instant chemistry, they went on their first trip together, to Botswana, just a few weeks after first meeting.

The Clarence House and Kensington Palace announced the couple’s engagement on November 27, 2017 and they were married the following year on May 19, 2018.

Kate Is Set To Become The Queen Consort

Hugo Burnand/AFP/Getty Images

Hugo Burnand/AFP/Getty Images

The line of succession to the throne is very important within any royal family, especially in the highly regarded British royal family. Prince William is currently second in line to the throne, following his father Prince Charles.

When it's time for Prince William to take the throne, Kate will become the Queen consort, which is a very big deal. This is why it is of utmost importance that Kate closely follows royal protocol. This also makes their first son, Prince George of Cambridge, third in line of succession to the British throne.

How Meghan Fits Into The Royal Family

Toby Melville - Pool/Getty Images

Toby Melville - Pool/Getty Images

With Prince Harry being sixth in line of succession to the British throne, there's a very little chance that he will ever have to step up to the challenge. Because of this, he and Meghan are given a little more slack when it comes to scrutiny and expectations of royal duties.

Meghan’s royal title will always be duch*ess, and Harry’s will always be Prince. Their son Archie does not hold a title of "Royal Highness" nor is he a British prince. So instead, Meghan and Harry chose their son to be recognized as Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor.

It's Hard For Kate To Find Any Privacy

The British royal family receives a lot of attention, and the media is always looking to get photos and a new story about Kate and Prince William. Because of this, they find it hard to escape the paparazzi, even with all of their security.

In 2012, Kate was particularly upset when photos of the duch*ess on vacation were published in a magazine. She was sunning herself and not fully clothed when the photographer captured the photos. The royal family took the paparazzi to court over the incident.

Meghan Has Been Harassed, Too

Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images

Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images

While she didn't have any risque photos of her published, the duch*ess of Sussex has had her own problems when it comes to privacy and protecting herself from the press. When word spread that Prince Harry and Meghan were dating, people attacked Meghan with vicious comments online.

Prince Harry came to her defense and demanded that people stop harassing her and making offensive comments on the internet. Kensington Palace staff were also quick to delete negative commentary online surrounding the announcement of the couple’s pregnancy.

The Importance Of Kate's Children

PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images

PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images

The duch*ess of Cambridge has quite a bit riding on her public image and royal duties. Not only is she expected to become the Queen consort, but she is the mother of Prince George, who is third in line for the British throne.

Being the mother to the future king is quite a big deal! Kate gave birth to Prince George in 2013, and has since welcomed Princess Charlotte in 2015 and Prince Louis in 2018.

What This Means For Meghan's Children

Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage

Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage

The Duke and duch*ess of Sussex have a different family situation than Kate and William because it's highly unlikely that their children would take the throne. Their first child, Archie, is a member of the royal family, but isn’t given the title of His Royal Highness or Prince.

This gives Meghan and Harry a bit more leeway when it comes to how they plan to raise their son and any other children they may have.

Why Kate and William Don't Engage in PDA

David Rogers/Getty Images

David Rogers/Getty Images

As mentioned, Kate is extremely vigilant when it comes to following royal protocol. Part of it is making sure not to display too much affection with her husband! As old fashioned and stuffy as it may seem, it's true that Kate abstains from kissing and even holding hands with her husband, Prince William, as its considered bad form for the royal family.

You’ll notice that Prince William will place his hand on her back properly and delicately, and the couple will share lovingly glances, but they won’t show affection as most couples in love might.

Meghan Is A Rule-Breaker

Anwar Hussein/WireImage

Anwar Hussein/WireImage

It was easy to see that Meghan and Prince Harry were falling fast for each other when they first met. The couple was often spotted holding hands, looking at each other lovingly, and plenty of other gestures of love and companionship.

Yes, they were bending the rules, but because Prince Harry wasn't expected to take the throne, again, their slightly "inappropriate" behavior was overlooked. That is, until they announced in 2020 that they'd be stepping back from royal duties in a rift from Harry's family that's dubbed "Megxit." Now, everything has changed for Harry and Meghan.

Read on to learn about everything the former duch*ess of Sussex can do now.

Finally! She Can Play Monopoly Again!

Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

"We're not allowed to play Monopoly at home," Prince Andrew once said. "It gets too vicious." None of the royal family members can play the money game while at home because the Queen won't allow it.

Well, Meghan Markle and Harry can roll as many dice and buy all the properties they wish now. This is probably the last thing anyone would expect, but it's true. It's also probably not a pressing issue on Markle's mind, but the obscurity of it made us include it.

No More Affectionate Rubs On The Back To Replace PDA

Rosa Woods - Pool/Getty Images

Rosa Woods - Pool/Getty Images

The royals have strict rules when it comes to public displays of affection. For example, Markle would give Harry a rub on the back during certain outings as a means to replace what they would normally do.

There are certain instances where PDA is okay, but even body language needs to get checked in serious environments. Now, Markle doesn't have to think about her location or what she's doing when she wants to give her husband a kiss.

Crossing Legs Is Now An Option

Danny Lawson/PA Images via Getty Images

Danny Lawson/PA Images via Getty Images

Once she married into the family, Markle couldn't cross her legs anymore. She had to abide by something else. The protocol allowed her to only cross her ankles and she had to keep her legs and knees together.

Not being able to do something that pretty much became an instinct at this point of her life was probably frustrating. Having the freedom to cross her lower extremities in public might be a huge relief now.

Custody Is Now Hers!

Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage

Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage

Imagine having a newborn that you couldn't wait to take care of, but he or she wasn't in your custody. That was the case for Archie after his birth thanks to King George.

In the 1700s, King George declared, "The sovereign has legal custody of the minor grandchildren." That sounds like a rule that needs to get erased since we aren't in those times anymore, but Markle doesn't have to worry about that anymore. Archie is all hers!

Welcome Back, Social Media!

Jules_co/Pinterest

Jules_co/Pinterest

The palace keeps a close watch on all the members of the family. None of them can have a social media presence, a ruling that forced Markle to voluntarily delete hers.

Now that she and Harry are their own people again, we're sure a joint account of some sort or an individual page for Markle will surface. Their Instagram page titled The Duke and duch*ess of Sussex isn't the same as a personal page, but we appreciate that they keep it updated.

Time To Get In Front Of The Camera Again

Untitled Korsh Company

Untitled Korsh Company

When the 8th season of Suits got renewed, Markle announced she wouldn't be in it. The palace makes all new members quit their jobs and become full-time royals, so Markle had to leave the acting behind.

Now, she's free to get in front of the camera again! Rumors are that she might even join some type of reality TV series, but we won't hold our breaths with that one. One day at a time Markle gets to be who she wants.

Up next, more privacy...

Markle Can Now Move Around Privately

Clive Mason/Getty Images

Clive Mason/Getty Images

Yes, Markle has had stardom for some time now, so she's used to the cameras and some security. After tying the knot, the paparazzi and security increased to a new level! She couldn't go anywhere without someone there to watch her.

Thanks to Megxit, Markle won't have guards with her wherever she goes. The cameras will still be there, but Markle is smart. She knows how to tread softly when needed, and doesn't want Archie getting caught up in that chaos.

Selfies With Fans Can Continue

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

"Crown doesn't let me." That's what Markle said to fans when they asked her to take a picture with them. Before becoming a royal, taking selfies with others was the norm for Markle, as she was a Hollywood star.

Now that she doesn't have to abide by the "Crown's" ruling, everyone who gets the chance can now snap a quick one with Markle. We're not sure if that's something to bring excitement or reason to stay inside more!

No Longer Behind Harry

OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images

OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images

According to a "Royal Boot Camp" rule, Markle always has to walk behind Harry. Seeing as that rule probably originated in a time when women had little to no rights, we're happy for Markle that she doesn't have to abide by this anymore.

One of the explanations for this rule is that "in tradition, a gentleman tends to walk a few steps in front to protect the lady." Well, this is one less thing to worry about now!

Free To Express Political Views

J. Conrad Williams, Jr./Newsday via Getty Images

J. Conrad Williams, Jr./Newsday via Getty Images

Markle doesn't' show fear when it comes to expressing her thoughts. Even when she was a child, she made proud feminist remarks on camera; which is something not every 11-year-old would do.

After getting married, she had to keep her mouth closed concerning topics like that and other political subject matter. That's no fun. Those days are now gone, and we could get a healthy dosage of what Markle thinks about any pressing issues any day now.

We're positive the Queen isn't a vampire, but not 100% sure. Like the Monopoly ruling, she has another wild rule that involves bad breath. Yup, Queen Elizabeth forbids the consumption of onions and garlic, even when you're not in the house.

Those are some key ingredients to many dishes, so we can't even imagine what that was like for Markle. A favorite dish of hers is garlic filled Filipino chicken adobo with brown rice and salad, so that's back on the menu.

Tiaras Before 6:00 PM Are Okay Now

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Listen, we don't make the rules, we're only reporting them. There's a rule in place that only allows the usage of tiaras later than 6:00 PM. Why is it such a random time? That, we don't know and we're sure Markle didn't care for it too much.

She also couldn't use hairspray with a tiara on her head because it would damage the precious diamonds on it. Markle doesn't strike us as the tiara type anyway.

Markle Can Go To Bed Whenever Now

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Why wouldn't she have the luxury of going to sleep whenever she wanted before? Well, the Queen determines when it was okay for everyone to get some shuteye, and it isn't as early as you might think.

Queen Elizabeth prefers to stay up until 10 PM, but midnight is the latest. She has to always have someone up to chat with, so that's where this rule comes from. Diana would break this tradition sometimes so that she could rest.

Her Sense Of Fashion Is No Longer Controlled

Dominic Lipinski - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Dominic Lipinski - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Being a royal means your life completely changes, and that includes watching what clothes you sport. Markle had to avoid certain colors and favor particular brands. Imagine Harry telling her she couldn't wear something she had her heart set on wearing somewhere.

There were times when Markle broke the fashion rules, just as Diana did. It's not "becoming" to wear trousers to special events, but Markle did it anyways. She can wear what she wishes now.

Bring Out The Cork Shoes!

After learning about the garlic rule, nothing surprises us and shouldn't shock you either. Another bizarre ruling for the women in the family is that they can't wear cork shoes anymore.

The queen doesn't like them, for whatever reason. Whether Markle liked wearing them or not, where is the harm in sporting them? Whatever the case is, Markle doesn't have to fret over it anymore. She can now wear whatever color she wants and wedges if she likes.

Signing Autographs Is Okay Now

Chris Jackson/Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Chris Jackson/Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Okay, this might be the only ruling we agree with. Royals aren't allowed to sign autographs out of fear that someone will forge their signature for malicious purposes. We can get down with that.

Honestly, even though she's free to do this now, Markle probably won't flex this freedom that much. It's still some threat that someone will take her signature and use it for no good. Also, she probably doesn't have that much time.

Shellfish Is Now Safe

Samir Hussein/WireImage

Samir Hussein/WireImage

Here, we have another food-related rule that Markle had to abide by as an official royal. She couldn't eat any shellfish, and some think this one isn't that bad because of the reason.

Shellfish carry a high-risk of foodborne illnesses, so the palace didn't want anyone getting sick. With the busy schedules they have, that's understandable. Still, what if Markle loved that and had to give it up? We don't know how fond of this food she was, but it's a thing of the past.

The Queen No Longer Gets Her Gifts

Peter Nicholls - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Peter Nicholls - WPA Pool/Getty Images

After becoming a royal, the amount of gifts Markle received shot through the roof, but sadly, they weren't officially hers. Much like with the baby custody ruling, Markle had to give all the presents she received to the queen.

That isn't the case anymore. Markle gets to keep everything she gets now! Not to say she needs all of it, but it's nice knowing she doesn't have to give up what people give her to the queen.

Drinking Tea Isn't Difficult Anymore

Samir Hussein/WireImage

Samir Hussein/WireImage

Before having a cup a tea with the Queen, Markle had to get coached on the proper way to sip it. The British adore their tea, but this was almost too extreme.

Reportedly, the process involves careful finger placement on the cup. Also, if she has on lipstick and leaves a mark, she has to drink from that same spot every time. As much as that sounds like a blast, Markle can have her drink however she wishes now.

No More Watching Her Legs

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Jim Spellman/WireImage

The royal ladies can't show bare legs. Even if it looked like one of them did, they almost positively didn't. If they wear a dress or a skirt, then you can bet nude stockings accompanied the outfit.

Talk about non-progressive rules. It's almost like the palace doesn't want any of the women to have the same luxuries as every other lady around the world. Markle, feel free to show those legs all you want now.