Royal Rebels: How Harry And Meghan Have Broken With Tradition

By Michele Yeo. 6 Jul 2018 1:39 PM

Throughout their courtship, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have come to define modern monarchy, often doing things distinctly their way. Now that they’re married, let’s take a look at the ways the newlyweds have either broken tradition or blazed their own trail on their own terms.

Meghan Markle Beams As She Clutches Prince Harry's Hand In London

Reuters

Anwar Hussein/WireImage

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Samir Hussein/WireImage

Samir Hussein/WireImage

Vanity Fair

Kensington Palace/Alexi Lubomirski

ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images

Getty Images

Kensington Palace

CHRIS JACKSON/AFP/Getty Images

START OVER

Next Gallery: Star Spotting: Heidi Klum & Olivia Wilde At The Fashion Trust Awards, Adam Sandler At ‘GMA’

More Galleries

1 of 11

Meghan Markle Beams As She Clutches Prince Harry's Hand In London
Reuters
Meghan Markle recently hit headlines after Prince Harry seemingly refused to hold her hand at an event.

However, the pair were back to looking as loved-up as ever and not caring about royal protocol as they made an appearance at the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Youth Leadership Workshop in London on July 5.
Meghan Is American
Anwar Hussein/WireImage
While marrying a non-Brit has been done before (Queen Elizabeth II's other grandson, Peter Phillips, married Canadian Autumn Kelly) it's still rather uncommon for the British royals, particularly those in line to the throne, to marry outside of the Commonwealth.
She's Been Married Before
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
The monarchy has come a long way since Edward VIII was forced to abdicate the throne in order to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson, setting off a chain of events that would put Prince Harry sixth in line for the throne.

Now, in 2018, the fact that Meghan was previously married is still somewhat out of the norm for the monarchy, it's not the scandal it once was. After all, Harry's father Prince Charles is also divorced and currently married to Camilla Parker Bowles who was previously married herself.
She's Biracial
Samir Hussein/WireImage
Meghan's father Thomas Markle is white while her mother, Doria Radlan is African American which, of course makes Meghan biracial.

Markle has this in common with Queen Charlotte of the 18th century. In the 1700s Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was the wife of King George III, and was Queen from 1761 until her death in 1818. According to PBS Charlotte was "directly descended from Margarita de Castro y Sousa, a black branch of the Portuguese Royal House."
Harry's Letter To The Press
Samir Hussein/WireImage
When it was still relatively early on in their relationship, Prince Harry took the unusual step of issuing a scathing public letter to the tabloids demanding they back off his new lady love, referring to their actions "a wave of abuse and harassment," adding that he feared for her safety and that attacks on her were rooted in racism and sexism.
She Spoke To Vanity Fair
Vanity Fair
In September 2017, months before they became engaged, Meghan took the unconventional step of giving an interview to Vanity Fair where she discussed her relationship with Prince Harry saying, "we're two people who are really happy and in love," adding they were "very quietly dating for about six months before it became news."
Engagement Photos
Kensington Palace/Alexi Lubomirski
Like, William and Kate, Harry and Meghan released two official engagement photos but then put their own stamp on the tradition of sharing engagement snaps by releasing a bonus photo, a loved-up candid shot.
She Spent Christmas With The Royals
ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images
Meghan spent Christmas Day with the Royal Family which broke with protocol as fiancees typically don't get an invite until after they've officially married into the family. Kate didn't attend 2010 Christmas festivities ahead of her April 2011 wedding to William.
Her Preferred Purses
Getty Images
Meghan prefers to mix it up with her preferred purses, often choosing cross-body bags which leave her hands free to greet well-wishers.

Prince Harry's late mother Princess Diana, also had her preferred purses. The People's Princess reportedly placed a clutch in front of her chest as she exited vehicles to prevent photographers from photographing her cleavage.
California-Inspired Cake
Kensington Palace
When it came time to choose who would be assigned the tasty task of baking their wedding cake, Harry and Meghan chose baker Claire Ptak to create a lemon elderflower cake. Claire resides in London but, like Meghan, was raised in California. Meghan once interviewed Claire for her now shuttered blog, The Tig.
Weekend Wedding
CHRIS JACKSON/AFP/Getty Images
The couple are breaking with tradition by holding their wedding on May 19th which is a Saturday. Royal weddings are typically held during the week with William and Kate tying the knot on a Friday, Harry's parents Charles and Diana getting married on a Thursday, and Harry's grandparents Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip making it official on a Thursday.

Royal Rebels: How Harry And Meghan Have Broken With Tradition

More Galleries

Latest Galleries