4 Things Prince William Was Allowed to Do at His Wedding That Harry Wasn’t

Prince William and Prince Harry’s weddings had all the pomp and show, but their big days were far from identical. William and Princess Kate’s 2011 wedding had all the grand touches you would expect for a future king, but Harry and Meghan Markle went for something a little more low-key in 2018. Here are five things William had at his wedding that Harry did not.

William and Kate’s choice of Westminster Abbey was, as per The Guardian, because of its “staggering beauty,” which gave their 2011 wedding a grander royal feel. The couple tied the knot at the historic church in front of around 1900 guests, while Harry and Markle chose the more intimate setting of St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, with around 600 people in attendance. The difference was hard to miss, especially given William’s place in the line of succession.

William and Kate’s wedding was not officially a state occasion, but you could certainly see why it felt like one. The guest list included foreign royals, Commonwealth leaders, government representatives, and diplomats, with around 2,000 people filling Westminster Abbey. The government had also declared the wedding day a bank holiday and gave the public a day off to celebrate. However, Harry and Markle’s 2018 wedding was still packed with famous faces, but the guest list leaned more heavily towards their personal circles and celebrity friends.

William and Kate’s wedding ended with a grand carriage procession through the heart of London. The newlyweds rode in the 1902 State Landau from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace, passing Parliament Square, Whitehall, Horse Guards Parade, and The Mall as crowds lined the route. On the other hand, Harry and Markle rode in an Ascot Landau through Windsor after their ceremony at St George’s Chapel, taking a shorter route through the town and along the Long Walk.

William and Kate got to have their own unforgettable royal balcony moment when they appeared at Buckingham Palace after their ceremony and shared kisses in front of the huge crowds gathered along The Mall. However, the Sussexes did not have the same opportunity in 2018, as their wedding was held at Windsor. While they missed out on the iconic royal balcony appearance, they did share a kiss outside the chapel.