Over the past century, the British royal family has hosted a number of high-profile weddings—from the nuptials of Princess Diana and Prince Charles in July 1981 to those of Prince William and Kate Middleton in April. 2011. Each of these celebrations captured the attention of the public. These fêtes, along with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s in 2018, shared many common elements, including a statement-making gown worn by the bride, hundreds—or even thousands—of ceremony guests, and over-the-top confections at the reception. However, even though there were a number of similarities between each of these affairs, they also have some distinct differences. For example, while William and Kate’s post-nuptial festivities featured a surprise dance performance between the two newlyweds, Harry and Meghan’s included a DJ set by famed actor Idris Elba.
Here, we answer one of the biggest questions: Which royal wedding was the most expensive? Read on for the price tag associated with each of these celebrations, as well as the key aspects that defined them.
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How Much Did Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s Wedding Cost?
When Princess Diana and Prince Charles tied the knot on July 29, 1981, at St. Paul’s Cathedral, the affair was nothing short of showstopping. Between the bride’s $115,000 silk-and-taffeta dress that featured 10,000 pearls to the 3,500 ceremony guests, the event was quickly dubbed the “wedding of the century.” But that wasn’t all: The duo’s reception featured 27 confections, including a five-foot-tall fruitcake cake. In all, the cost of the nuptials totaled $48 million, which would be equivalent to approximately $140 million today, making it the most expensive royal celebration between the three, as well as one of the most costly of all time.
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How Much Did Prince William and Kate Middleton’s Wedding Cost?
After first meeting as university students at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, Prince William and Kate Middleton announced their engagement in November 2010. And just a few months later on April 29, 2011, the two said “I do” in a ceremony at Westminster Abbey that included almost 2,000 guests. For the occasion, Kate donned a long-sleeve lace gown by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen that cost $434,000, equivalent to $617,000 today. Following their vow exchange, the two shared two balcony kisses in front of eager crowds before heading to their reception, where they surprised their friends and family members with a dance routine from Grease. Experts estimated that the nuptials cost $34 million, equivalent to approximately $48 million today.
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How Much Did Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Wedding Cost?
Seven years after his brother tied the knot, Prince Harry married Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel. The royal and the actress exchanged their vows in front of 600 guests. For the ceremony, Meghan opted for a boatneck gown designed by Givenchy’s Clare Waight Keller that was estimated to cost $265,000. However, for the reception, she landed on a different look, changing into a halter-neck sheath gown from Stella McCartney. The festivities reportedly featured a DJ set by Idris Elba— and George Clooney mixing cocktails behind the bar. Ultimately, the affair cost $42.8 million dollars, according to The Independent, equivalent to $54.9 million today.