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Cape Town - If you thought Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding is going to a carbon copy of the pomp and ceremony of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s 2011 nuptials, think again!
Here are some interesting things we’re likely to see on Harry (33) and Meghan’s (36) big day:
1. A banana-flavoured royal cake
It’s not surprising that Harry and Meghan’s cake will be the first banana-flavoured royal wedding cake ever – the pair have shaken up royal protocol a number of times before.
An insider told The Telegraph the prince loves anything with banana in it and this was confirmed by his former royal chef.
Darren McGrady told Hello! Magazine in 2016 that Harry is absolutely gaga over banana flan and banana ice cream.
And then there’s the speculation that a banana symbolises the couple’s affection for one another.
Remember Meghan’s Instagram post from October 2016 – shortly after news of her relationship with Harry broke – in which two bananas cuddled one another?
She captioned the post “Sleep tight xx”.
Metro writes the pair’s wedding cake will still have the traditional fruit cake base but will feature the banana twist.
2. More than one wedding reception
The couple will have two wedding receptions.
The main shindig will be inside the castle at St George’s Hall in Windsor and will take place right after the wedding ceremony.
The second reception will be later in the evening and will be hosted by Prince Charles. The more private affair’s location is yet to be confirmed but Metro suggests we might only find that out after the wedding date.
3. A very un-white wedding dress
Meghan is known for dancing to the beat of her own drum and it seems her choice of wedding dress will be no different.
Metro suggests the former Suits actress may don a champagne or ivory-coloured creation.
Hello! reports the brunette stunner has already had her first wedding dress fitting in January at Kensington Palace, when she had her close friend and stylist, Jessica Mulroney, fly in from Canada to help her decide which gown to wear for the big day.
Will Meghan follow in Kate's footsteps and wear Alexander McQueen? It seems everyone’s bet is on the fashion house, but another name thrown into the hat is London designer Antonio Berardi.
Meghan wore the designer in May last year when she and Harry were first publicly spotted together at his polo event.
4. A horse-drawn carriage
In keeping with tradition, the newlyweds will ride around the streets of Windsor in a horse-drawn carriage.
The procession will reportedly start at 1 pm and the pair will wave their way through Castle Hill, the High Street, Sheet Street, Kings Road, Albert Road, Long Walk, before returning to Windsor Castle again for the reception.
“They hope this short journey will provide an opportunity for more people to come together around Windsor and to enjoy the atmosphere of this special day,” the palace said in a statement.
5. No speech from the bride’s father
Thomas Markle (73) will walk his daughter down the aisle, but will not make a speech at the reception.
Meghan is set to take centre stage – breaking from tradition, once again – to deliver what will reportedly be an “affectionate tribute”, The Times reports.
6. A baptism
Meghan is set to be baptised and confirmed before her big day.
She follows in the footsteps of future sis-in-law, Kate.
Meghan was raised as a Protestant and went to Catholic school, which is an important nod to the Queen’s faith.
7. Myrtle in the bridal bouquet
It’s a royal tradition that dates back to 1840, when Queen Victoria married Prince Albert – and it’s an age-old custom Meghan is expected to put forward.
Hello! suggests the former actress will include at least one sprig of myrtle in her bouquet.
Myrtle, which has been used in royal bridal bouquets since the 19th century, symbolises love and hope and is the emblem of matrimony.
Meghan may also choose to include lily of the valley, as the Duchess of Cambridge did, to pay homage to Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana.
One thing speculators are almost certain will feature in her arrangement are peonies. When she still ran her now-shut Instagram page, Meghan frequently posted pictures of the flowers.
8. An increase in security
Thanks to a group called Rising Up, hundreds have pledged to turn up dressed either in slacks or as homeless people.
This is in response to a tweet by Simon Dudley, the Tory council leader in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, requesting the streets be cleared of homeless people ahead of the wedding day.
Groups protesting the monarchy are also expected to turn up on the big day.
And because Britain presently faces greater threats of terror than ever before, security will reportedly be beefed up significantly, says Newsweek.
9. A dazzling tiara
It’s one royal tradition she’s unlikely to break: Donning a gorgeous tiara once she’s announced Mrs Prince Harry.
Metro suggests Meghan might either borrow a tiara from Queen Elizabeth or wear a custom-designed one like Sarah Ferguson did.
However, Hello! adds that Kate did wear the Halo Tiara when she wed Prince William in 2011, so it’s unlikely the tiara will make an appearance so soon again.
10. No balcony kiss
And no, it’s not because the couple lack any form of adoration for one another!
The simple reason we won’t be seeing them plant a peck on one another is because Windsor Castle has no balcony.
Sources: The Telegraph, Hello!, Metro, Newsweek, The Times, The Telegraph
