Considering Prince Harry and Meghan Markle haven’t even sent out their wedding invitations at this point, I kind of doubt they’ve gotten to the stage where they’re planning out who will speak at the wedding reception. But because of the involvement of the American (tabloid) press in this royal wedding, we’re constantly being told that Meg and Harry will have a completely individual wedding, that they’re “doing things their way” and they’re “royal rule-breakers.” So would it be so rule-breaking and so gauche for the bride to deliver a short speech at the reception?
Meghan Markle is set to give a speech at her wedding to Prince Harry this spring in place of her father, in a break with royal tradition. Ms Markle, 36, is understood to be ready to step in and deliver a speech at the reception, which will follow her wedding to Prince Harry, 33, at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, due to be attended by 800 people, on May 19.
The former American actress, who is expected to be made a Duchess on the day, is planning an “affectionate” tribute to Harry, in a speech that will offer thanks to the Queen and perhaps even some jokes, it has been reported. Her father, Thomas, 73, is know to be a private individual and the former Hollywood lighting director, who now lives in Mexico, is due to walk the bride down the aisle but is unlikely to deliver a speech, according to The Sunday Times.
There had already been a break with royal customs even before Prince Harry had proposed to Ms Markle last year. He invited Doria, her mother, to join them both at the Invictus Games in September, before breaking with tradition by asking for her blessing, as well as that of her father.
In my opinion, there are fewer hard-and-fast rules for wedding RECEPTIONS in the modern age. Like, I’m sure the Windsors have so many rules about everything, even the reception, but it doesn’t seem all that shocking to think that a modern bride might want to make a short speech and offer a toast to her husband at her reception. But I’m sure there will be those in the family and in the traditional-royal-watcher set who clutch their pearls about this. Oh well! That’s why Harry and Meghan are marrying at Windsor Castle, you know? So they can do things their way and have more freedom to do whatever they want.
Photos courtesy of Pacific Coast News.
At my cousins wedding a few years ago she made a speech and she was so much more eloquent than the groom (who was actually very emotional in his speech which was cute) I’d actually like it if Meghan gave a speech because she’s very well spoken. It’s not like we’ll ever hear it though because it’s only the church part that us peasants get to see.
after watching the pilot to the marvelous Mrs maisel, when it came out, during the reception part I laughed to my younger sister: “watch! You KNOW this is ginna be a thing now!!!”
and it is!!
Is that weird? I ended up doing a quick thank you speech at ours… my husband hates having attention on him even more than I do, and I’m much better with words. Ours was pretty casual, and honestly I was just glad to wrap it up after all the stress of wedding planning.
Very cute version of this scenario in the movie Imagine Me & You, if you’ve never seen it.
Every wedding I’ve attended in the last thirty years the Bride and Groom have given a speech, either together or individually.
Maybe my friends and family are just gauche Canadians!
I gave a speech at my wedding, I can’t remember a single word but the video doesn’t lie…in my black velvet jacket and black tulle skirt I was babbling about laws, paraliment and blessing the Liberal party of Canada while waving a champagne flute around like a baton.
All I can think about is Daniel, Princess Victoria’s husband, and the lovely speech he made for her at their reception. He was the “commoner” spouse in that situation and it was beautiful. I’m sure Meghan would so something similar.
When Prince Daniel talked about the thirty letters. I loved it.
A while ago, I went back and read the Royal Dish thread on the wedding and it’s amazing. They all start off hating Daniel and by the end of the speech they’re like Oh mah gawd, Daniel’s the best!
It’s her wedding, go for it.
There’s nothing weird about a bride giving a speech at her wedding. I don’t know why this is news.
I don’t find this news anything weird or that it makes her special? Every wedding I’ve been to the bride or the groom (or both) offers thanks to their guests and made a short speech about their spouse. So I don’t find it modern I haven’t been to a wedding where that isn’t the norm
Brides make speeches at their weddings all of the time now. I don’t understand why this would cause controversy. I guess that the Royal Family have so many antiquated rules and protocols that have been set in stone, that even the slightest break from them seems revolutionary.
It’s not the done thing in the circles she is now running in. Yes, Prince Daniel’s speech was beautiful, emotional (the whole event was charming, lovely and so romantic), but he was also the groom.
It is 2018. Time to get over the idea that women are required to be silent partners in any “circle”.
It goes both ways, she needs to respect the traditions and customs of the family she is marrying into.
My DIL made a speech. Her father didn’t. It was fine.
Princess Sofia of Sweden also made a speech on her wedding day, which is joyous and a great blend of state ceremony and a “privat” celebration. She came from a commoner root too! i find that Scandiwegian and Benelux royals seem to be more progressive than the British Royal Family…. not only about how to conduct weddings etc but also titles etc… like Sofia is actually Princess Sofia rather than Princess Carl Philippe… or Prince Daniel rather than Prince Victoria (lol)
BRF! please get on with the times!
Sofia came from commoner but also nude model (while underage) background! Bug difference! Hardly a role model.
I’be been living in the UK for about 5 Years and I was shocked to recently discover that it’s not that it’s not as common. As I though for the bride to give a toast or speech at their wedding.
I found out because my colleague was asking us if we thought at giving a speech at her wedding would go down ok with the guests.
Where I come from both parties generally tend to do a speech or toast so I didn’t even realise this was a thing! Subsequently I asked everyone I knew what the tradition was and while some brides do – apparently it’s not necessarily a given that they would?!
Do your thing Meghan.
She kinda reminds me of Jennifer Garner in the 2nd pic.
I hate the ‘tradition’ of the wedding speeches… groom, father of bride, best man. Why do women get no voice?!
Her wedding, she can make a speech if she likes.
That last pic of her, with her arms on her chest, and looking oh-so-touched? Really WAY too much drama queen there.