Is Meghan Markle allowed to be a bridesmaid in Priyanka Chopra's wedding?
As you're probably already aware (assuming you have an internet connection, because, hi), Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra are the latest celebrity couple to get engaged after just two months of dating. Which... sure, why not!
As you're also probably already aware, Priyanka is extremely good friends with former Suits star and current Duchess Meghan Markle - in fact, she and Nick just spent the weekend visiting Meg and Harry in their country home. So now the question on everyone's minds is, of course, will Meghan be a bridesmaid in her friend's upcoming wedding? And, more importantly, is she even allowed to be one?
The short answer: Yes. The long answer: Yes, but it's complicated.
"There is no protocol that dictates whether an adult female member of the British Royal Family can take on the role of a bridesmaid or maid of honour at a non-royal's wedding," royal reporter Omid Scobie tells Cosmopolitan.com. "However, it is an unlikely scenario for one simple reason: A female royal would not be expected to walk behind a 'commoner.' This is why in the past we saw Pippa Middleton as Duchess Kate’s maid of honour, but when Pippa got married Kate read a prayer."
When it comes to royal weddings, adult bridesmaids aren't commonplace - Pippa Middleton's role in Kate and William's wedding was actually a notable exception. And even if Kate had wanted to return the favour at her sister's wedding, Scobie says, "There’s also the risk of taking all the attention off the bride herself! In June, all eyes were on Sweden’s Princess Madeleine instead of her close childhood friend getting married when she served as a bridesmaid."
Chances are Priyanka's wedding will feature a bridal party, and ultimately if Meghan is invited to partake, the Palace won't stand in her way. "Should a female member of the Royal Family choose to take on a bridal party role at a friend's wedding, it would be her own decision," Scobie says. "There’s no rule that wouldn’t allow this and she certainly wouldn’t need permission or guidance from Palace aides." In conclusion: Feminism, etc.
Good to know - right, Priyanka? And P.S. If you're wondering whether the Palace is down with royal men being groomsmen, the answer is also yes. Most recently, Prince William served as the best man in Meghan and Harry's May wedding (an official role that the palace confirmed), and Harry is poised to be best man at the upcoming ceremony of his friends Charlie Van Straubenzee and Daisy Jenks on August 4.
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