Harlem already has a deep royal history, from Napoleon Bonaparte’s cousin Joseph Bonaparte to Prince William; and then, to Lord Viscount Courtenay, who lived at the Claremont Inn to Harlem’s wedding of the century of Nat King Cole and Maria Cole at Abyssinian Baptist Church. And of course, beloved Princess Di visiting the AIDS unit at Harlem Hospital.
So, our ears were perked when we read that Town & Country wrote that in 2011 the queen of England issued a 22-page etiquette guide for the 1,900 guests invited to Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding. As Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s nuptials approach (not to mention those of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooks bank later this year), a few of the top etiquette experts on both sides of the Atlantic offer an abridged version. On the Town & Country panel: Myka Meier, founder of Beaumont Etiquette; Lucy Hume, associate director of an etiquette coaching company and publisher Debrett’s Peerage; and William Hanson, etiquette tutor at the English Manner.
“Shoulders should be covered, hemlines should be on the conservative side, and closed-toe shoes.” – Myka Meier, the Plaza Hotel’s etiquette expert
Don’t Wear White
“Female guests should not wear white, a rule that spans across the pond.” – Myka Meier
Now’s the Time for Formal Attire
“Women should opt for formal day dress–a dress and jacket, or skirt or trouser suit.” – Lucy Hume, Debrett’s
Heels Shouldn’t Be Too High
“Don’t wear huge heels. It’s not practical as well as not being etiquette. Victoria Beckham wore huge stilettos. Now, they were going into Westminster Abbey—a church floor is not a smooth floor.” – William Hanson, etiquette tutor
Bare Legs Are Not Okay
“Wear tights. David Cameron’s wife didn’t wear tights [to the Royal Wedding in 2011], which was a bit of a shame.” – William Hanson
Cover Your Head
“Ladies should be wearing a hat.” – William Hanson
Pay Attention to the Time of Day
“For men, ‘morning dress’ is the daytime formal dress code. As the wedding is expected to follow tradition and take place in the day time, most gentlemen will be suited in a morning coat, waist coat, tie and striped trousers.” — Myka Meier
If There’s a Dress Code, It Isn’t Just a Suggestion