Meghan Markle Wedding Dress Rules: Do Royal Brides Always Wear Lace?

The royals have made lace look very fashionable in weddings. It’s a classic and timeless look that is befitting of grand, royal events, and many have opted to use the feminine and dainty fabric instead of other popular options such as silk, tulle or organza.

Now that “Suits” star Meghan Markle is planning her wedding with Prince Harry, many people wonder - will she choose a lace wedding gown as well? Is she required to choose lace?

Looking back, not all royals chose lace. Sure, it’s a popular choice that was most recently revived by Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, when she married Prince William back in 2011.

Her long-sleeved lace dress designed by Sarah Burton received raves for its simplicity and grandeur.

It was reminiscent of the gown American actress Grace Kelly wore during her wedding to Prince Rainier III of Monaco on April 19, 1956, according to the Daily Mail.

After Kate’s wedding, lace became a staple in wedding dresses. Another royal who chose lace was Countess Stéphanie de Lannoy, who wore a gorgeous lace Elie Saab gown for her wedding to Grand Duke Guillaume in 2012.

Sofia Hellqvist also chose lace during her wedding to Prince Carl Philip of Sweden in 2015, and hers was long sleeved just like Kate’s.

Princess Madeleine opted for lace as well for her 2013 wedding to Christopher O’Neill. Her gown has a short-sleeved lace bodice with a full skirt. Her veil was lace-trimmed too.

Princess Elisabetta followed suit in 2014 when she married Prince Amedeo of Belgium. Her Valentino dress was the perfect mix of modern and classic with its lace sleeves, lace overlay and lace veil.

Before the Kate dress phenomenon, royals adored silk. Crown Princess Victoria chose a simple off-the-shoulder silk dress for her wedding to Daniel Westling in 2010.

Queen Maxima Zorreguieta’s wedding gown during her wedding with then-Crown Prince Willem-Alexander, now king of the Netherlands, in 2002 was a unique choice since she chose a high-neck structured dress with lace trimmings.

Queen Rania’s gown during her 1993 wedding to King Abdullah II, then Prince Abdullah, was created by British designer Bruce Oldfield. It was a voluminous dress with gold trimmings and a matching belt.

And who could forget Princess Diana’s gown during her wedding to Prince Charles on July 29, 1981? It was the talk of the town since it is made out of silk taffeta, puffy sleeves and a 25-foot-train.

Lace or not, whatever gown Markle decides on, it will most likely be a good choice. “Classic and simple is the name of the game,” she earlier said of her wedding dress, according to The Vow. “I personally prefer wedding dresses that are whimsical and subtly romantic.” She and Prince Harry will tie the knot on May 2018.