5 Things Meghan Markle Was Allowed to Do at Her Wedding That Princess Kate Wasn't

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s 2018 wedding was quite different from Princess Kate and Prince William’s in 2011. While Kate stuck to many of the usual royal wedding traditions, Markle was given a little more freedom to do things her own way. The differences may seem small, but they showed just how the expectations that come with being the future Queen. For instance, William and Kate's guest list functioned as a semi-official state occasion with many international political figures and foreign monarchs. Harry and Meghan, meanwhile, had mostly a family and celebrity gathering, omitting major political leaders.

Markle took the microphone herself at the evening reception and gave a heartfelt speech about Harry and also thanked her new family. That was an unusual move for a royal bride, with royal expert Katie Nicholl explaining to Entertainment Tonight, “The first person to get up and speak was Meghan. This was a real breach of tradition. Usually, the bride doesn't talk.” Meanwhile, Kate left the wedding speeches to Prince William, Harry, King Charles, and her father, Michael Middleton, at her 2011 celebrations.

Markle’s walk down the aisle at St. George’s Chapel did not go quite as planned. With her father, Thomas Markle, no longer able to attend the wedding, she walked the first part of the aisle on her own before Charles stepped in and accompanied her for the rest of the journey. It was a very different entrance from Kate’s, who had her father beside her throughout the walk down the aisle.

Markle and Harry’s ceremony had a few choices that one would not expect from a traditional royal wedding. Bishop Michael Curry of the Episcopal Church in the US gave the address, talking about love and even bringing Martin Luther King Jr. into his speech. The music also had a twist, with the Kingdom Choir performing Stand By Me, and 19-year-old cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason playing during the service. On the other hand, the Waleses followed the traditional British royal ceremony and stuck with the usual classical music from the London Chamber Orchestra.

Even the wedding cake got a Meghan and Harry makeover. Instead of the traditional fruitcake served at William and Kate’s wedding, they went for a lemon and elderflower sponge covered in buttercream and decorated with fresh flowers. It was made by California-raised pastry chef Claire Ptak, whom Markle knew from her days running The Tig. The couple even recreated their wedding cake while celebrating their 8th marriage anniversary.

When it came to her wedding dress, Markle looked beyond the usual British royal favourites. She chose the French fashion house Givenchy to create her gown, but it did have the British designer Clare Waight Keller at the helm. Kate went in a more traditional direction for her big day, choosing a Sarah Burton design from the British label Alexander McQueen.