Royal Wedding: What Prince George and Princess Charlotte Will Do

Hilary Weaver
Updated

On May 19, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will wed at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, around one month after Kate Middleton gives birth to her third child. Though the youngest Cambridge will be too tiny to participate in the ceremony, his or her older siblings will likely be front and center.

ABC News reports that George, who will turn five this July, is “expected to serve” as a page boy in his uncle’s wedding, just as he was in his aunt Pippa’s wedding to financier James Matthews last May. ABC also believes that Charlotte will be a flower girl; she was a bridesmaid last year for Pippa. But the toddlers’ résumés alone aren’t the only reason they’ll be walking down the aisle at St. George’s; generations of little royals before them have done the same.

The children of royal families have been taking part in royal nuptials for generations. Queen Elizabeth served as a bridesmaid for her uncle, the Duke of Gloucester, during his wedding in 1935. She wore what looks like a very fashionable tutu (hardly something you could shorten and wear again, as they say). Her sister, Margaret, also joined as a bridesmaid in an identical outfit.

When Princess Anne married Mark Phillips in 1973, her younger brother, Edward, then nine years old, served as a page boy. Her cousin, Sarah Armstrong-Jones, was a bridesmaid. She was also a bridesmaid for Princess Diana in 1981. At five years old, Clementine Hambro, who is not a royal but the great-granddaughter of Winston Churchill, was the youngest bridesmaid at the wedding.

“I remember being quite a bit excited. I remember being very proud to be involved,” she told Today on Wednesday. “But actually, I had very little idea of all this sort of situation that was going on.”

Charlotte, who will turn three next month, seemed to behave fairly well as a bridesmaid last year. It was George who Kate had to scold then; she was caught on camera, wagging her finger at the future king, who was looking up at his mother like he knew he had done something terribly wrong.

But no matter how Harry’s niece and nephew behave this year, no one can ever beat Grace van Cutsem, the daughter of Lady Rose Astor and Hugh van Cutsem, also known as grumpy flower girl, star of the 2011 royal wedding.

The Royal Family, in the Family Way

When then princess Elizabeth was born in 1926, her father was still the Duke of York—with no hint he’d ever be king. After Edward VIII abdicated the throne in 1936, 10-year-old Elizabeth would become the next in line. She’s seen here at her christening, when she was about one month old.
When then princess Elizabeth was born in 1926, her father was still the Duke of York—with no hint he’d ever be king. After Edward VIII abdicated the throne in 1936, 10-year-old Elizabeth would become the next in line. She’s seen here at her christening, when she was about one month old.
In a formal portrait when she was a bit older, Princess Elizabeth grabs onto the pearls she’s wearing with her formal baby gown. The Duchess of York looks intently over her shoulder.
In a formal portrait when she was a bit older, Princess Elizabeth grabs onto the pearls she’s wearing with her formal baby gown. The Duchess of York looks intently over her shoulder.
When Queen Elizabeth became a mother in 1948, she was just 22 years old—Charles was born almost exactly a year after she married Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, although, controversially, Charles legally took Elizabeth’s Windsor surname and not his father’s (Mountbatten). He was just five weeks old when this photograph was taken.
At the time of Prince Charles’s christening, the gatherings were stiffer and quite formal—for this portrait, the family gathered in Buckingham Palace’s music room. Above Elizabeth, Prince Philip stands next to King George VI.
At the time of Prince Charles’s christening, the gatherings were stiffer and quite formal—for this portrait, the family gathered in Buckingham Palace’s music room. Above Elizabeth, Prince Philip stands next to King George VI.
Though much has been made of Elizabeth and Philip’s various absences during Charles’s childhood, they had their share of fun—the trio is shown here in July of 1949, all having a laugh.
Though much has been made of Elizabeth and Philip’s various absences during Charles’s childhood, they had their share of fun—the trio is shown here in July of 1949, all having a laugh.
And in proof that parenting trends have changed over the years, Charles—in November 1950—watches a procession of visiting Netherlandish royals from a rail-less ledge.
And in proof that parenting trends have changed over the years, Charles—in November 1950—watches a procession of visiting Netherlandish royals from a rail-less ledge.
By 1951, Charles had a sibling—younger sister Princess Anne, who is amused by Prince Philip’s chin in this summertime family photo.
By 1951, Charles had a sibling—younger sister Princess Anne, who is amused by Prince Philip’s chin in this summertime family photo.
In July of 1981, Prince Charles married blushing virgin Diana Spencer, wedded just days after her 20th birthday. Di quickly became pregnant with their first child, Prince William. And because pregnancy is no excuse for missing royal functions, Diana is seen here in a pink shirtdress on the outskirts of the Guards Club in Windsor while Charles plays in a polo match.
Less than a year after their wedding date—just like Elizabeth and Philip before them—Charles and Diana greeted the throngs outside St. Mary’s Hospital in London with their new son, William Arthur Philip Louis, on June 21, 1982.
Less than a year after their wedding date—just like Elizabeth and Philip before them—Charles and Diana greeted the throngs outside St. Mary’s Hospital in London with their new son, William Arthur Philip Louis, on June 21, 1982.
Prince William’s official christening, six weeks after his birth, was a less starchy affair than that of Charles, all regal poses and smile-less faces. In this Buckingham Palace photo of the family after the ceremony, Diana beams at William while the Queen Mother (right) and Queen Elizabeth (left) flank her. Prince Charles and Prince Philip are above.
The Queen Mother outdoes even Diana in enthusiasm, though, with this rollicking smile, holding her great-grandson at his christening in August of 1982. As it happened, Prince William’s christening took place on her 82nd birthday.
The Queen Mother outdoes even Diana in enthusiasm, though, with this rollicking smile, holding her great-grandson at his christening in August of 1982. As it happened, Prince William’s christening took place on her 82nd birthday.
By December, six-month-old William had become adorably pudgy, and Prince Charles holds him for a photograph at Kensington Palace. Diana and Charles shared an apartment at “K.P.,” where Will and Kate will soon reside.
By December, six-month-old William had become adorably pudgy, and Prince Charles holds him for a photograph at Kensington Palace. Diana and Charles shared an apartment at “K.P.,” where Will and Kate will soon reside.
Prince William was not yet one when he went on his first royal tour, to Auckland, New Zealand. On the grounds of the city’s Government House, doting mother Diana helps him practice his stride.
Prince William was not yet one when he went on his first royal tour, to Auckland, New Zealand. On the grounds of the city’s Government House, doting mother Diana helps him practice his stride.
Just over two years after William’s birth, Henry Charles Albert David—to be known simply as Harry—was born to Diana and Charles, who presented him on September 1, 1984. Outside St. Mary’s, crowds with British flags and cameras again lined the streets to welcome the new prince.
Just over two years after William’s birth, Henry Charles Albert David—to be known simply as Harry—was born to Diana and Charles, who presented him on September 1, 1984. Outside St. Mary’s, crowds with British flags and cameras again lined the streets to welcome the new prince.
Disembarking from a plane at Aberdeen, Princess Diana carries her younger son, Harry—bundled up in an adorable snow-white sweater, booties, and hat—as she arrives in Scotland’s chilly December air.
Disembarking from a plane at Aberdeen, Princess Diana carries her younger son, Harry—bundled up in an adorable snow-white sweater, booties, and hat—as she arrives in Scotland’s chilly December air.
William and Harry remain close, and at one point even dressed alike: they are playing here together (in fittingly British baby tattersall) in Kensington Palace’s playroom, where year-old Harry is learning to walk.
William and Harry remain close, and at one point even dressed alike: they are playing here together (in fittingly British baby tattersall) in Kensington Palace’s playroom, where year-old Harry is learning to walk.
Former school teacher Diana, known as a warm and caring mother above all else, oversaw the boys' early education and activities--here she is “instructing” them in piano. Harry has just finished playing a little Liszt.
Former school teacher Diana, known as a warm and caring mother above all else, oversaw the boys' early education and activities--here she is “instructing” them in piano. Harry has just finished playing a little Liszt.
Fewer than 30 years after showing Harry how to walk in K.P.’s apartment, Prince William stands proudly with his wife, pregnant with their own child. Their son or daughter is due sometime next year—let the feverish frenzy begin.
Fewer than 30 years after showing Harry how to walk in K.P.’s apartment, Prince William stands proudly with his wife, pregnant with their own child. Their son or daughter is due sometime next year—let the feverish frenzy begin.