Royal Dress Code 101: What Should Guests Wear To The Royal Wedding This Weekend?

We’re counting the days ‘til the biggest, grandest, and most anticipated wedding of the year! And while everyone can't wait to see what Meghan Markle will be donning on her big day, we also can't help but wonder what—and who—their guests will be wearing! 

READ: Meghan Markle's Wedding Gown May Or May Not Be By Ralph & Russo

According to the official invititation, the Royal Wedding will be implementing a dress code—gentlemen must wear uniforms, morning suits, or lounge suits, while ladies should wear day dresses with hats.

 

The invitations follow many years of Royal tradition and have been made by @BarnardWestwood. They feature the Three-Feathered Badge of the Prince of Wales printed in gold ink. pic.twitter.com/cd7LBmRJxO

— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) March 22, 2018

 

With that, we can expect that nobody will be entering the chapel in long, formal gowns. Surpisingly, the dress code is not that far from what people would usually wear to daytime affairs and garden weddings! But of course, given that this is a royal event, there are still some rules that should strictly be followed. Let's break down the Royal Wedding dress code, shall we?

 

Uniforms

Members of the military may wear their uniforms on the big day.

 

Prince Harry represented Her Majesty The Queen as the Reviewing Officer at the Sovereign’s Parade, which marks the passing out from Sandhurst of Officer Cadets who have competed the Commissioning Course. The Parade marked the completion of a year’s intensive training for officer cadets from the U.K. and overseas countries. In a speech given, HRH said: “You are now part of something much bigger than yourself, part of a new family which you have earned the right to join and will never really leave. No matter how challenging the road ahead becomes, the time you have spent in this great place has prepared you to face any test. You have learnt how to lead by example and to lift up all those around you. And you are all better people for it. Thank you for the commitment you have made; to each other, to your soldiers and to all of us”.

A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on Dec 16, 2017 at 3:23am PST

 

Morning Suits

A morning suit, or a coat with a knee-length tail, is a traditional royal wedding attire. Gentlemen can also opt to wear a top hat with this.

 

Today at Buckingham Palace, The Queen also received and held an audience with the Ambassador from the French Republic, Mr Jean-Pierre Jouyet. Mrs Brigitte Taittinger-Jouyet was also received by Her Majesty. The Ambassador from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Mr Omar Barakat Mnawer Al Nahar, was also received in audience by The Queen today. Mrs Al Nahar was also present. ??PA

A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily) on Nov 28, 2017 at 8:19am PST

 

Lounge Suits

More commonly known as a business suit, a dark-colored lounge suit can also be worn for a more relaxed look. This is what gentlemen usually wear to beach or garden weddings.

 

His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales and Ms. Meghan Markle will marry on 19th May 2018. Today's announcement follows earlier confirmation of the month of the wedding and its location at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.

A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on Dec 15, 2017 at 5:02am PST

 

Day Dresses

A knee-length dress that covers one's shoulders is the perfect attire of choice for ladies attending the Royal Wedding. They can also have fun with tailored pieces in bright colors and floral patterns! As with any wedding, avoid wearing white—that color is reserved for the bride. Women are also encouraged to wear nude stockings—although everyone knows that Meghan has broken this royal fashion protocol quite a number of times! Another unofficial rule? Wearing wedges to royal events is a no-no! It's common knowledge that Queen Elizabeth does not like chunky pieces of footwear. Classic heels are the way to go!

 

 

What an incredible day in Luxembourg! Thank you for the warm welcome. Au revoir Luxembourg! #RoyalVisitLux ??PA

A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on May 11, 2017 at 9:00am PDT

 

 

Good bye and thank you to everyone for such a wonderful visit to Poland and Germany! It was a privilege getting to meet so many people and visit such incredible parts of both countries????????????

A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on Jul 21, 2017 at 8:45am PDT

 

READ: Two Days To Go! Read Up On All The Finishing Touches Of Meghan Markle And Prince Harry's Royal Nuptials

 

Hats and Fascinators

Everyone knows that no British society event is ever complete without a hat! This weekend, expect to see lots of hats and fascinators in all shapes and colors. 

 

Royal ladies! #PrincessKate and #PrincessCharlotte are the cutest mother-daughter duo. | ??: Justin Tallis/WPA Pool

A post shared by People Magazine (@people) on May 20, 2017 at 7:15am PDT

 

 

Today Her Majesty The Queen was in Plymouth to attend the decommissioning ceremony for the @RoyalNavy ship, HMS Ocean. The Queen, who is the ship’s Lady Sponsor said a few words at the end of the ceremony, before meeting families and the ship’s personnel on board. There’s more by following the link in bio.

A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily) on Mar 27, 2018 at 7:39am PDT

 

 

Today at Buckingham Palace, The Queen received His Excellency Mr. Ellison Greenslade on his appointment as High Commissioner for the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. Mrs. Greenslade was also received by Her Majesty. Throughout the year, The Queen holds many Audiences, which allow her to maintain close ties with officials from the UK, the Commonwealth, and across the world. ??PA

A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily) on Feb 8, 2018 at 5:57am PST

 

 

Princess Alexandra has visited HMS Warrior to mark the 30th anniversary of the Victorian Battleship's return to Portsmouth. HRH is Patron of the HMS Warrior Preservation Trust and previously visited in 2015 to formally open the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) restoration project. The project will allow vital repair works that will secure the future of the ship, which is one of the most influential warships ever built. HMS Warrior has a longstanding Royal connection – in 1863 Warrior escorted the Royal yacht that brought Princess Alexandra's great-grandmother, Princess Alexandra of Denmark, to Britain to marry The Prince of Wales (later Edward VII).

A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily) on Sep 18, 2017 at 9:11am PDT

Lead photos from @people and @theroyalfamily