Here’s How Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Royal Wedding Was Much Less Traditional Than Prince William and Kate Middleton’s

If you can remember back to Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding, the two professed their love and promise of marriage in the most traditional ways (at least as far as British royalty is concerned). The same can’t be said for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, though. On their royal wedding day, it seemed as if for every family tradition followed, there was a rule broken.

Take a look at all the ways Harry and Meghan’s big day was much less traditional than William and Kate’s, including the one thing that shocked us the most (page 8), ahead.

1. No maid of honor

While Harry had a best man — his brother, of course — Meghan did not want to choose between her close friends and instead decided against a maid of honor.

This was not the same for William and Kate’s royal wedding, as Kate’s sister Pippa her maid of honor.

Next: Fashion faux pas

2. Meghan’s dress

Another way Harry and Meghan’s royal wedding was less traditional? Meghan’s dress did not feature lace detailing — and, it was made by a French fashion house. That said, Meghan most likely got away with her designer selection due to the fact that Givenchy’s Artistic Director Clare Waight Keller is English.

Kate’s wedding dress featured a lot of lace and was made by British fashion house Alexander McQueen.

Next: Was this disrespectful?

3. Harry’s uniform — and beard

Harry’s Blues and Royals military uniform was not traditional for royal weddings. In fact, he even had to get special permission from the queen to wear it.

Another thing that wasn’t traditional? Harry’s beard. It is against royal family rules to have a beard while in uniform.

Next: This would have been impossible

4. First kiss

Since Harry and Meghan did not get married at Westminster Abbey, they did not have a traditional first kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. Instead, the newlyweds shared a kiss on the steps of St. George’s Chapel after their ceremony.

Next: We can’t believe the queen was okay with this.

5. Bridal party

Typically, a royal wedding bridal party consists of young royals, but Harry and Meghan’s did not. The couple asked the children of some of their closest friends — including Meghan’s best friend Jessica Mulroney — to participate.

Next: Did anyone else catch this?

6. Public displays of affection

In case you missed it: Harry and Meghan were very affectionate during their wedding ceremony. There was lots of hand-holding at the altar — a big no-no — beaming smiles, and even some whispered words.

Next: Meghan’s new family welcomes her in a big way.

7. Prince Charles walked Meghan down the aisle

Unlike Kate — who walked down the aisle with her father — Meghan entered the chapel alone. At the halfway mark, she met Charles and then continued down the aisle with her father-in-law.

In addition to walking down the aisle with her father-in-law, Meghan did away with the traditional hand escort and took Charles’ arm instead.

Next: The one thing that shocked us most.

8. An American bishop

One of the most surprising — yet totally awesome — parts of the day? The sermon. Harry and Meghan selected American Bishop Michael Curry to bless them in a traditional American manner.

Curry quoted Martin Luther King Jr., leaned on the podium (something you would never see in a traditional royal wedding), cracked a few jokes, and even went off script. By the looks of their faces, the royal family had never experienced anything like it before.

Next: What happened next

9. Gospel music

Following the sermon, an American gospel sang. To state the obvious: American gospel singers don’t usually sing at British royal weddings because they’re, you know, American. But, Meghan wanted to pay tribute to her roots so she said to hell with tradition! (She didn’t actually say that, but that would have been cool)!

Next: They didn’t just break a royal wedding tradition, they broke a British wedding tradition.

10. The wedding cake

Another way Harry and Meghan’s royal wedding was much less traditional than William and Kate’s? Their wedding cake wasn’t fruitcake.

Traditional royal wedding cakes (and British wedding cakes in general) are usually made up of fruitcake. However, Harry and Meghan went with something a little more refreshing: Elderflower and lemon with buttercream frosting.

In addition to the cake flavor, Harry and Meghan’s royal wedding cake was not nearly as tall as other royal wedding cakes. Instead of a towering cake, they went with clusters of single and two-tiered cakes on gorgeous gold stands.

Next: Charles and William would have never dreamed of doing this.

11. Harry’s wedding ring

While there’s no rule that says you can’t wear a wedding band, Charles and William both prefer not to. However, that’s not the case for Harry. Meghan’s husband received his wedding band during the royal wedding ceremony and plans to keep it on.

Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook!