How Meghan and Harry Broke Royal Wedding Tradition

From Harper's BAZAAR

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding was unique in so many ways, and that's because the couple brought so much personality to the big day.

From the array of Hollywood stars invited to the ceremony, to the wedding's Windsor setting, Harry and Meghan made the day their own. Whilst honoring the royal family, Harry and Meghan broke with royal tradition in several ways:

1) Meghan walked herself down the aisle.

While Prince Charles accompanied Meghan part of the way, for much of her procession, the bride was solo, something which is unheard of in a royal wedding. However, the bride was flanked by flower girls and page boys as she walked down the aisle, and she oozed confidence as she entered St. George's Chapel.

2) Prince Harry watched Meghan walk down the aisle.

As Good Housekeeping reports, traditionally in British weddings, the groom doesn't watch the bride walk up the aisle. However, Prince Harry couldn't resist watching Meghan enter St. George's Chapel, and walk to the altar with Prince Charles.

And as Myka Meira of Beaumont Etiquette told Good Housekeeping, "In the United States, the groom and entire wedding party will watch the bride walk down the aisle. At a British wedding, the groom and his best man (or supporter) will face the altar as the bride walks down the aisle. He won’t turn to look at her until she is beside him."

3) Prince Harry wears a wedding ring.

Unlike his grandfather, Prince Philip, and his brother, Prince William, Prince Harry has decided to wear a wedding ring, breaking with family tradition.

4) Prince Harry's ring is platinum, rather than gold.

As People reports, in the royal family, wedding rings are usually made out of Welsh gold. While Meghan now wears a gold wedding band, Harry has selected a platinum band, breaking with tradition yet again.

5) The unusual wedding cake flavor.

Harry and Meghan's lemon elderflower cake was served in place of a more traditional fruit cake. The cake was created by chef Claire Ptak and, according to Kensington Palace, "features elderflower syrup made at The Queen’s residence in Sandringham from the estate’s own elderflower trees, as well as a light sponge cake uniquely formulated for the couple."

6) It's the first time an American Bishop has spoken at a royal wedding.

The Most Rev. Michael Curry delivered an emotional sermon to the wedding guests, and quoted Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King saying, "We must discover the power of love, the redemptive power of love, and when we do that, we will make of this old world a new world."

7) The modern and unique music selections.

Rather than relying on traditional organ music for the wedding, Harry and Meghan selected some personal, and unexpected, pieces of music for their nuptials.

As CNN reports, "the rich tones of the cello played by award-winning young musician Sheku Kanneh-Mason again emphasized the couple's desire to break the mold. The ceremony ended with the Etta James version of 'Amen/This Little Light of Mine,' a gospel song that became synonymous with the US civil rights movement."

8) Their kiss was a first.

According to Bridebook (via Cosmopolitan), "While the British public were denied a balcony kiss due to the location, their kiss upon leaving St. George's Chapel was the first ever royal kiss to be had on the steps outside the West Door, despite it being the location for many a royal wedding previously."

It seems as though Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's was a royal wedding of firsts.

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