The differences between Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle’s Royal Weddings

A royal wedding is unlike any other, particularly when it comes to Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton's big days. Looking back on both cases, though, it's obvious that they had distinct characteristics that set them apart.

Kate's Wedding Dress

Kate Middleton looked stunning in a $434,000 bespoke wedding gown styled by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. It included a nine-foot-long train and Royal School of Needlework handmade lace.

Meghan Markle's Wedding Gown

Meghan selected British designer Clare Waight Keller of Givenchy to fashion her chic and modern wedding gown, much to everyone's surprise. Meghan's outfit, unlike Kate's now-iconic v-neck dress, contained no beading or lace and a boat neckline instead of Kate's now-iconic v-neck dress.

The make-up

Despite the fact that both brides opted for minimal make-up, their complexions were perfect. Kate Middleton applied her own lipstick, going for rosy lips, a neutral lip, and a smoky eye. Meghan Markle, on the other hand, resorted to her pal Daniel Martin for her makeup (despite announcing that she will do her own): kohl eyeliner, a neutral pink lip, with her own freckles poking through.

Kate wore the Cartier Halo tiara.

The bride received an incredible “something borrowed” from Queen Elizabeth II. The Cartier Halo tiara was sent to the queen on her 18th birthday, and the stunning diadem contains approximately 1,000 diamonds.

Meghan chose Queen Mary's diamond bandeau.

The platinum brooch, which also belongs to Queen Elizabeth II, was made in 1932, but the middle brooch, which dates from circa 1893, is much older. The compact band has eleven pieces that are pierced with interlaced ovals and pavé set with big and small dazzling diamonds. Ten more diamonds are placed in the detachable middle brooch.

First Kiss

Prince William and Kate Middleton shared an iconic lip-locking moment atop Buckingham Palace's balcony at their 2011 London wedding. The more conventional embrace took place at Buckingham Palace, where Charles and Diana have shared a post-wedding PDA moment.

The Duke and Duchess shared a non-traditional romantic moment on the church steps with their first public embrace since leaving their wedding service at St George's Chapel, kissing not once, but twice. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's first embrace took place in front of a beautiful white flower archway.

Kate's Veil

The Royal School of Needlework embroidered flowers along the edges of Kate's veil.

Meghan's Veil

Meghan wore a 16.5-foot-length veil designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, in comparison to Kate's long train and shorter veil. Waight Keller embroidered the flora of all 53 Commonwealth countries on the veil's border.

Hairstyle

Hairstylist Serge Normant crafted an Audrey Hepburn-inspired bun for Meghan Markle, while James Pryce designed Kate Middleton's hair in a half-up, half-down look with long loose waves. It's different, but it's still royal.

Kate's bouquet had a subtle nod to her soon-to-be-husband.

Kate's bouquet featured lily of the valley, sweet William, myrtle, hyacinth, and ivy, all of which are native to the region. She also followed the royal custom of carrying a sprig of myrtle in her wedding bouquet, which dates back to Queen Victoria.

Meghan's flowers were chosen with the assistance of Prince Harry.

Meghan's bouquet included forget-me-nots, sweat peas, lily of the valley, astilbe, jasmine, and astrantia, among other flowers. The forget-me-not was Princess Diana's favorite flower.

The Procession

Aside from the venue, both post-wedding processions were quite identical. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge travelled through Buckingham Palace in a horse-drawn open carriage.

Following their formal wedding, Harry and Meghan seemed overjoyed. The newlyweds travelled around Windsor Castle in their own Ascot Landau wagon, smiling to the crowds.

Kate's Rings

With his mother's sapphire engagement ring, Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton. Kate was given a Welsh gold wedding band on their wedding day.

Meghan's Rings

Prince Harry proposed to Meghan Markle with a handmade ring that included a gold band, two diamonds from Princess Diana's own set, and a center stone from Botswana, where the newlywed pair were said to have met and fallen in love. Her wedding band is made of Welsh gold as well. Prince Harry, unlike Prince William, has opted to wear a wedding ring.

Evening dress

Meghan Markle chose a British brand for her evening gown after selecting a French house for her ceremony gown. Stella McCartney designed a backless ivory silk crepe gown that was much more minimalist than Kate Middleton's 2011 gown. She wore an ivory silk gown by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, belted in the waist with diamonds and matched with a wool cardigan.

Michael Middleton was the happy father who escorted his daughter down the aisle.

Kate, the eldest of his three daughters, was the first to marry. Robinson Pelham diamond earrings, which she wears on her wedding day, were also a gift from her friends.

Prince Charles accompanied Meghan.

Following her father Thomas Markle's announcement that he would be unable to attend the wedding due to illness, the future King of England stepped up to the role. Meghan marched alone into the first part of the chapel, the nave, before being escorted up to the altar by the Prince of Wales.

Meghan's Page Boys and Kate's Maid of Honor

Pippa Middleton, Kate Middleton's younger sister, was her maid of honor at the 2011 royal wedding, wrangling the children and walking her long train into the chapel. That day, she also wore a custom Alexander McQueen gown.

Meghan didn't have a maid of honor, but two of the wedding's older page boys held her veil when she approached the chapel.

Kate's Page Boys and Bridesmaids

Tom Petiffer, Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones, Grace Van Cutsem, Lady Louise Windsor, Eliza Lopes, and William Lowther-Pinkerton were among the four bridesmaids and two page boys at Kate and Will's wedding.

1,900 people attended Kate and William's wedding.

Hundreds of guests were welcomed to William and Meghan's wedding since he is the second in line to the throne and Westminster Abbey is a far larger place than the one where Harry and Meghan married. The wedding was attended by kings, queens, and actors from all around the country.

Only 600 people went to Meghan and Harry's wedding.

Despite having a reduced guest list than Kate and William's reception, Meghan and Harry's wedding was a star-studded event. Celebrities such as Amal and George Clooney, Serena Williams, Priyanka Chopra, and others attended their wedding.

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