The Glaring Differences Between Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle
Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle are among the best-known members of the British royal family, having each married an heir to the throne. Kate, who wed her longtime boyfriend Prince William in 2011, is in line to be the next queen consort. She has fully delved into her rule as the Princess of Wales, attending various functions as an envoy for the royal family.
Meghan, on the other hand, has taken a different approach. After marrying Prince Harry in 2018, she found herself hounded by the British tabloids. This ultimately led to she and her husband leaving the United Kingdom for the United States, where they've lived a relatively quiet life, despite still being in the public eye.
Kate and Meghan's current lives aren't the only differences between them. A look at their royal weddings and how they parent King Charles III's grandchildren also provides a window into their different personalities and tastes.
The Engagement Rings
The engagement ring Prince William presented to Kate Middleton once belonged to William's late mother, Princess Diana. Now valued at $400,000, the 12-carat ring features an oval blue sapphire with cut faces. It’s circled by stunning solitaire diamonds.
Meghan's engagement ring also features jewels from Princess Diana’s collection, with two of her diamonds framing a center stone that Prince Harry purchased from Botswana, where the now-married couple first fell in love.
Meghan’s engagement ring is worth an estimated $350,000.
Leading Up to the Big Day
Leading up to the big day, the British tabloids painted a harsh portrait of Meghan. They labeled her as an American actress with a family background unsuitable for the British royal family, meaning the future Duchess of Sussex struggled to fully enjoy her engagement to Prince Harry.
Within two years of their wedding day, the couple made the aforementioned decision to step away from their duties as senior royals. Some who've closely followed the royal family point to differences in Kate and Meghan’s weddings as an early sign that the latter would not fully commit to her new role.
The Duchess of Cambridge's Wedding Dress
The world waited with bated breath to see what dress Kate Middleton would wear as she married the future king. The Duchess of Cambridge selected a gown designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. The dress was widely popular, as viewers noted the blend of tradition and modern elegance, and it cost a reported $450,000.
Kate's dress featured lace that was handcrafted by the Royal School of Needlework and a nine-foot train. The back of the dress was extremely detailed, with no less than 58 organza-covered buttons and Rouleau loops.
The Duchess of Sussex's Wedding Dress
While it clearly featured an exceedingly long train, Meghan's wedding dress had an otherwise simple, modern look designed by Clare Waight Keller.
Despite not including lace, embroidered details or any other embellishments, the dress was estimated to cost about $265,000. Much like Kate, Meghan paid for the dress herself.
The Two Tiaras
Nothing about a royal wedding is average, which is part of why so many people tune in to watch. One aspect that sets royal weddings apart from the rest is the incredible headwear the brides don for the event.
At her wedding, Kate wore a Cartier tiara that was given to Queen Elizabeth II on her 18th birthday.
Meghan also wore a tiara that belonged to the Queen. The Diamond Bandeau Tiara was designed in 1932. For her wedding day, Meghan swapped out the sapphire center stone for a diamond.
The Royal Wedding Veils
While Kate's wedding dress train topped Meghan’s, it was Meghan’s veil that stunned guests and everyone watching from home.
Kate’s veil was a top-secret project of the Royal School of Needlework that paired elegantly with the tiara borrowed from Queen Elizabeth II. Clare Waight Keller designed Meghan’s 16.5-foot-long veil, which featured the wildflowers of 53 countries, after the bride made a request that all the Commonwealth’s nations be represented in her veil design.
The Brides' Earrings
On her wedding day, the Duchess of Cambridge selected a pair of Robinson Pelham diamond earrings. Costing a reported $20,000, they featured a teardrop shape that complemented her diamond tiara.
Meghan wore Cartier earrings when she married Prince Harry. The diamond and white gold pieces paired well with her tiara, which was borrowed from Queen Elizabeth II, who'd inherited it from Queen Mary in 1953. Meghan also wore a Reflection de Cartier diamond bracelet.
The Grooms
Both Prince William and Prince Harry served in the military and wore their uniforms on their wedding days, as it's tradition for royal grooms to marry in military dress.
William, a colonel, wore a red Irish Guards uniform. He was the first royal groom to wear red since Captain Mark Phillips in 1973. Prince Harry wore a Blues and Royals military uniform on his wedding day. He opted to wear a major’s uniform, despite being appointed the Captain General of the Royal Marines.
From Light to Bright: The Queen's Royal Wedding Attire
Queen Elizabeth II was known for wearing bright outfits, and was quoted as saying, "I can never wear beige because nobody will know who I am."
For Prince William and Kate’s wedding, she wore a primrose yellow long sleeve dress with a matching hat. In 2018, when the queen attended Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding, she opted for a brighter green coat over a purple dress, which she paired with a matching green hat with purple feather ornamentation.
What Did Charles & Camilla Wear?
While then-Prince Charles' second wife Camilla Parker wore similar outfits to both royal weddings, the father of Princes William and Harry donned vastly different attire for one of the biggest days in his sons’ lives.
For William and Kate’s wedding, Charles sported his royal uniform, complete with all its regalia. For Prince Harry and Meghan’s union, he wore a simple grey suit that paired well with Camilla’s light pink dress and hat.
The Mothers of the Brides
Carole Middleton didn't want to take away from her daughter on her big day. Her pale blue dress, designed by Catherine Walker, was the perfect shade for the spring wedding.
Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, flew in from Los Angeles to show her support for Prince Harry and Meghan’s royal wedding. She wore a light green Oscar de la Renta dress, looking happy as ever as Meghan married her prince charming.
Prince Philip's Attire
Prince Phillip was a proud man on both wedding days.
Prince William wore red on his wedding day, while Philip attended the event wearing his red Grenadier Guards uniform. However, to Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding, Philip opted to leave his uniform behind and wear a formal suit with a blue tie.
He might have preferred the more casual suit over the uniform, due to his recent hip surgery. His Grenadier Guards uniform likely would have caused extra discomfort.
Kate Had a Maid of Honor, Meghan Had Page Boys
As expected, Kate Middleton asked her younger sister, Pippa, to serve as her Maid of Honor and carry her train down the aisle at Westminster Abbey. The two sisters are very close and lived together before Kate's wedding day.
On the other hand, Meghan didn’t select a Maid of Honor - although, she had several of her best friends in attendance at her royal wedding. Two page boys carried the train of her dress at St. George’s Chapel.
Walking Down the Aisle
It's hard to fathom the amount of pressure on Kate and Meghan as they walked down the aisle on their respective big days with the entire world watching.
Kate was accompanied by her father, Michael Middleton. Sadly, Meghan's father experienced health issues during the month of her wedding date, preventing him from traveling to London for the nuptials. She walked down the aisle unaccompanied, before being met by then-Prince Charles halfway.
A Closer Look at the Beautiful Bouquets
The wedding bouquets that Kate and Meghan held at their respective weddings look quite similar, but there were important differences between the two.
Middleton's delicately small bouquet was designed by Shane Connolly and featured all-white flowers, each representing something the couple wished for their marriage, including happiness and steady love.
Designed by Philippa Craddock, Meghan’s bouquet included flowers that were handpicked by Prince Harry and symbolized the hopes for their marriage, including dedication and love.
How Did the Crowds Compare?
Prince William and Kate's wedding had more guests and a far larger crowd than Prince Harry and Meghan’s. It makes sense, as one day Prince William will likely be named king. The couple also had the bigger wedding venue, bringing nearly 2,000 people to catch a glimpse of the action at Westminister Abbey.
On the day of Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding, an unknown number of people flocked to Windsor Castle to be in the presence of the newlyweds. However, not as many were able to gather at the smaller venue of St. George’s Chapel.
Waving to the Crowd
Upon officially joining the British royal family, both Kate and Meghan were expected to show the perfect regal wave. After the wedding ceremony, royal brides are expected to wave to the crowd during the carriage ride, as a sign of appreciation for those gathered to celebrate.
Kate kept her fingers close together for her wave, while Meghan had her fingers a bit more relaxed and spaced out. Both ladies used minimal movement while waving to the crowds.
The Kiss
Millions tuned in to witness the first kiss of the newlywed royal couples.
Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge had their first on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the ceremony at Westminister Abbey, while Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex displayed their first wedded kiss right outside of St. George's Chapel. Both couples beamed with happiness as the crowd cheered them on.
The Two Wedding Reception Dresses
After their royal weddings, each duchess changed dresses and headed to the wedding reception that then-Prince Charles organized for each of his sons and their new wives.
Kate wore a classic white Alexander McQueen dress for her reception. Meghan's dress was designed by Stella McCartney and cost a reported $157,000. She was spotted wearing the stunning gown as Prince Harry helped her into a blue vintage Jaguar.
The Royal Wedding Cakes
Prince William and Kate's wedding cake was made by Fiona Cairns and featured an incredible eight tiers. The couple selected fruitcake as their flavor and had a second cake made of chocolate (for guests who didn’t like fruitcake), costing a total of $160,000.
Prince Harry and Meghan opted for a lemon sponge cake with elderflower syrup and Amalfi lemon curd for their big day. Made by Claire Ptak, it cost between $60,000 and $75,000.
The Price Tag of Each Wedding
It's no secret that both royal weddings cost well above the average ceremony for a commoner. Every detail of the event was given proper attention, as weddings involving the British royal family become a part of history.
In total, Prince William and Kate’s wedding hosted 2,500 guests and cost $34 million. Prince Harry and Meghan’s had fewer guests (600), yet cost a reported $55 million.
Kate's Three Children Make Official Appearances
Kate knew when she married Prince William that she'd be taking on important duties as part of the British royal family and the likely future queen consort.
Members of the royal family have an incredible amount of official engagements around the world - around 2,000 each year, including royal tours. Senior members dedicate their lives to be of service to the people of the Commonwealth.
While this also includes Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, who are all in the line of succession to the British throne, the family tries to keep their lives private while they're still young.
Meghan's Children Are Rarely in the Public Eye
When Archie was born, Meghan said she wanted to protect him and her future children from the negativity she'd experienced after stepping into the limelight as a member of the British royal family. Prince Harry is also sensitive to negative press and is very protective of her and their children after seeing the press go after his late mother, Princess Diana.
Meghan and Harry have said they had "no other option," but to step away from the spotlight after welcoming Archie, in order to avoid "intense scrutiny." In June 2021, they welcomed a daughter, Lilibet.
Kate's Children Are Close in the Line of Succession
After King Charles III, Prince William is next in line to the throne. Next is Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, as second, third and fourth, respectively.
It's likely that, in his lifetime, Prince William will be given the opportunity to become the king. Just as his father had, he'll be prepared for the duties he'll take on and, one day, it's likely that at least one of his kids will do the same.
Archie is Sixth in Line to the Throne
Prince Harry is fifth in line to the throne. Therefore, he's highly unlikely to ever be named king. Following him is Master Archie Harrison, who is sixth in line to the throne, followed by young Lilibet.
At birth, Archie wasn't given a royal title - he was designated as "Master," instead. BBC royal correspondent Jonny Dymond commented that the decision to forego a royal title was a strong indication that Harry and Meghan didn't plan on raising Archie as a formal royal family member.
However, in an interview with Oprah that aired in March 2021, the pair revealed that "it was not our decision to make" regarding Archie's title.
The Media Had Easy Access to the Cambridge Children's Christenings
Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis were christened while wearing a replica of Queen Victoria's christening gown, and they were christened by the Most Reverend Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Queen Elizabeth II attended George and Charlotte's christenings, but not Louis', for unknown reasons. The guest list was limited to only family on Prince William and Kate's sides, and professional photos were taken on the big day for each of the three children.
Archie's Christening Was Also Traditional, But Private
Harry and Meghan's son, Archie Harrison, had his christening at a private chapel at Windsor Castle. The couple elected to have a private ceremony with 25 guests. Although Queen Elizabeth II wasn't in attendance, other members of the royal family were, including Prince Charles, Prince William and Kate.
Like Kate's three children, Archie was also christened by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby. The baby also wore a replica of the Royal Christening Robe. Afterward, a family photograph was taken and then posted on the Sussex Royal Instagram account.
Kate's Silver Cross Balmoral Pram is the Royal Standard
Priced at $3,999, Kate Middleton was photographed pushing young Princess Charlotte in a Silver Cross Balmoral Pram. The carriage is described as "the Rolls Royce" of prams.
The vintage carriage prides fashion and luxury over function and practicality, but what more could you expect when selecting a pram for a princess? The Silver Cross brand has been used by the royal family for more than a century. The queen herself used to be pushed in one as a baby.
Meghan Broke Family Tradition With a Bugaboo Fox
Rather than follow the royal family tradition of purchasing a Silver Cross pram, Meghan opted for a Bugaboo Fox carriage for baby Archie. The stroller was priced at $1,500, but was a gift that a friend of hers presented to the couple when they were expecting their first child.
The Bugaboo Fox was a practical choice for Meghan and Harry's lifestyle, as the couple enjoys hiking and needed a baby stroller that could handle the task.
(Pippa Middleton and James have the same one!)
The Cambridge Children Are British
Born in London, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, has been a member of the British royal family since birth. Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, was born in Berkshire, England, with family ties to the British aristocracy. In fact, William and Kate's families were introduced to one another long ago, as far back as 1926.
The couple's three children are from a British background with deep roots. It's expected that the Cambridge children will live in Britain for their entire lives.
Meghan and Harry's Children Are British-American
Prince Harry was born in London and was also a member of the British royal family via birth, while Meghan was born in Los Angeles, California. Together, the couple decided they wanted to raise each of their children as a "global citizen."
Archie is officially a citizen of both the United Kingdom and the United States. He lived in England, Canada and the United States during the first year of his life. Today, the family (including Lilibet) resides in America.
Kate Tries to Give Her Kids a Taste of 'Normal Life'
In interviews, Kate speaks lovingly of her childhood and wants to make sure that her children get to experience some of the "normal" things that other kids get to. She doesn't want them to miss out because of their royal status or her busy schedule.
Parenting expert Cai Graham said, "Admittedly, Kate has learned the importance to showing her children a 'normal life', as Diana did so very well, in queuing in theme parks or having the occasional trip to McDonald's!"
Meghan is Raising Her Children as Private Citizens
Once Meghan and Harry knew they were expecting, discussions began for how they wanted to raise their family. Stepping down as senior royals gives Meghan and Harry an opportunity to be "normal parents" living a more private life, including outside of England.
Without being committed to royal duties as other members of the family are, Meghan's children will be able to live wherever best suits them. However, they're still incredibly famous and will face challenges without the protection of royal security.
Kate's Favorite Kids' Brands Sell Out in Minutes
As heirs to the throne, Kate's children are expected to dress properly whenever they're in public. She picks classic outfits for her kids, from brands like Rachel Riley, Amaia Kids, Papouelli and Pepa & Co.
It's common for kids' jackets and outfits to sell out within minutes after one of the young British royals is spotted wearing them. In 2016, before the birth of Prince Louis, London-based consulting firm Brand Finance estimated that the two eldest royal kids will contribute a combined $7.7 billion to the UK economy during their lifetimes.
Meghan Dresses Archie in H&M
When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex traveled to South Africa, they brought Archie for his first royal visit. The then-five-month-old was photographed wearing H&M overalls that were priced at just $20. The outfit quickly sold out.
Fans of Meghan and the royal family were amazed at how frugally-dressed she and Prince Harry's son was. When she visited a women's shelter in Cape Town, Meghan brought along with her clothing that Archie had outgrown, to donate.
Kate Middleton's Nanny Graduated from a Top College
In 2014, when Prince George was around six months old, Kate and William hired a nanny to help them. Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo has been working for the family ever since, also caring for Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis without additional assistance.
Borrallo graduated from the prestigious Norland College, which offers exceptional child-rearing classes. Hello! magazine reports that she typically sees the kids to and from school, as well as to the park to play. She's also been seen helping with the children at royal weddings.
Meghan Has Kept Her Nanny's Identity Private
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex hired a nanny when Archie was born, but she was let go soon after for a "lapse in professional duties," according to ET. Meghan then found a nanny who has been "a blessing" as the family of three traveled to France and toured South Africa.
Archie's nanny's identity hasn't been revealed, as Meghan wants to keep her privacy protected. But she trusts her so much that she left then-eight-month-old Archie in her care while she and Harry traveled to the UK to discuss their royal transition with Queen Elizabeth II.
Kate is Well Aware Her Privilege Makes Parenting Easier
Born into an upper-middle-class family and married into the British royal family, the Duchess of Cambridge openly acknowledges that she receives a lot of help and access to child care that the average mother doesn't.
In an interview with Huffington Post, Kate said, "Personally, becoming a mother has been such a rewarding and wonderful experience. However, at times it has also been a huge challenge, even for me who has support at home that most mothers do not. Nothing can really prepare you for the sheer overwhelming experience of what it means to become a mother."
Meghan is Incredibly Open About Her Struggles With Mental Health
In a surprisingly candid interview with Today, Meghan expressed her personal struggle with maintaining her mental health during early motherhood.
She said, "Look, any woman, especially when they're pregnant - you're really vulnerable. So that was made really challenging. And then, you have a newborn, you know? It's really a lot."
She opened up even more in her famous interview with Oprah in 2021, even admitting that she'd suffered from thoughts of self-harm at one point.
Meghan Hired a Guru For Her Second Pregnancy
During her second pregnancy with Lilibet, Meghan hired pregnancy guru Dr. Gowri Motha.
Based in London, the doctor helped Meghan through her pregnancy and labor remotely. Her techniques include visualization, massage, yoga and adopting a vegetarian diet after giving birth. The holistic approach is very much aligned with Meghan's parenting style and core beliefs (she regularly practices yoga and her mom is an instructor).
Dr. Gowri Motha told People about her approach, explaining, "I want to introduce visualization techniques, to rehearse the birth in the mother's mind and give them confidence."
Dr. Gowri Motha recommends reflexology and daily massage to mothers post-birth. She has also been hired by Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Kate Teaches Her Kids Gardening and Art
Kate grew up spending a great deal of time with members of her family who taught her helpful skills while building a meaningful relationship. In an interview on the Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast with Giovanna Fletcher, she said she wanted to provide the same kind of childhood experience for her kids.
"I had an amazing Granny who devoted a lot of time to us - playing with us, doing arts and crafts, and going to the greenhouse to do gardening, and cooking with us," she shared.
She continued, "I try and incorporate a lot of the experiences that she gave us at the time into the experiences that I give my children now."
Meghan Loves Cooking for Her Family
Leading up to her first child's birth, a source told ET that Meghan planned to be a very "hands-on, engaged mother." She loves to spend time at home cooking, which is probably part of the reason the couple chose to stay at a friend's Vancouver Island home that boasted a gourmet kitchen.
Meghan's close friend Daniel Martin told Gayle King, "I'm sure the baby's going to be raised clean and green. She loves to cook, eating organic whenever she can. I totally see her marking her own food. Totally!"
Meghan also took Archie on one-to-two-hour walks each day.
The Cambridge Children See Their Grandparents Often
Kate has a close relationship with both of her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, and the grandparents of the Cambridge children often stay with the family, according to Hello!.
Oftentimes, it's the Middletons who watch over the children while Kate and William have official engagements to attend or are on a royal tour. Kate is the eldest of three, and the Cambridge children were Carole and Michael's first three grandchildren. Kate's younger sister Pippa welcomed her first child six months after Prince Louis was born.
Meghan and Harry Moved to California, Near Meghan's Mom
Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, was in London for the birth of her first grandchild, and she stayed with Meghan and Harry at Frogmore Cottage for a few weeks to help with Archie.
After stepping down as senior royals, the pair announced that, along with Archie, they'd split their time living between North America and Britain.
In 2020, the couple began looking for property to buy in Los Angeles, where Archie's grandmother lives. They moved into Tyler Perry's home temporarily before moving to Montecito, outside of Santa Barbara.
Rose Reilly
