INTERNATIONAL NEWS - From early on Saturday, people from all over the world will be glued to the television or computer screens, awaiting this long-awaited wedding which has gained a lot of media attention over the past few weeks.
Here are some interesting fun facts and traditions:
1. In the modern age, wearing a white dress is a tradition, especially for a first wedding. This tradition was started in 1940 by Queen Victoria who decided to wear white when getting married to Prince Albert. Before this, brides wore bright colours and Victorian brides often wore red to their weddings.Prince Albert also started the trend of royal grooms wearing military dress.
2. The bride and groom’s wedding cake is usually traditional fruitcake. Again, Queen Victoria is responsible for some cake traditions. She was the first person to ask for a wedding cake, with tiny replicas of herself and her husband placed on top.
3. Staying with the cake, not every slice of cake is consumed on a royal’s big day. As a thank you, a piece of the wedding confection is always mailed out to guests who attended the wedding.
4. Princess Diana, one of the world’s most beloved royals, whose wedding was watched by an estimated 750 million people in 74 countries, had a 7.62-meter-long train, the longest ever worn by a royal bride.
5. Prince Harry designed Meghan’s engagement ring. The ring is yellow-gold and features a diamond from Botswana that he sourced himself, as well as two of Diana’s gems from her tiara. It was made by royal jewellers Cleave and Company.
6. Bouquets in the Royal family have traditions. In 1840, Queen Victoria’s bouquet included a sprig of myrtle, symbolizing love and fertility. Since then, every royal bride has kept a sprig of the flower in her bouquet. In addition to the myrtle, plus lily of the valley and hyacinth, the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton’s bouquet included a bloom with a touching sentiment namely, sweet William.
7. Kate did her own make-up on her wedding day.
8. Both Kate and William and William’s parents, Charles and Diana’s wedding days were public holidays, but Harry and Meghan’s big day will not be a public holiday for the Brits.
9. Meghan, who is 36, is the oldest royal bride and old by royal standards. Kate was 29 when she married William.
10. On her special day, Meghan is expected to give a speech at their reception. This is not royal tradition.
11. Gifts are something from guests given to the couple to thank them for being part of their special day.
Harry and Meghan asked for donations to seven charities in place of receiving wedding gifts. In 2011, Prince William and Kate Middleton also requested charity donations as wedding gifts, raising more than $1.7 million for 26 charities.
Remember to get some snacks and watch the wedding of the year from 13:00 South African time (this will be 12:00 local time).
