Royal Wedding Photos Reveal Key Differences Between Kate And Meghan's Special Day

In the span of a decade, the House of Windsor threw two historic fairytale weddings — with subtle differences. The celebrations for two very dissimilar couples reflected their own tastes and styles — within the scope of royal traditional, of course. But with one pair on the pathway to taking over the throne, and the other breaking off on their own, how do their big days reflect two sides of the royal coin?

Fit the bill

First up of the two women who signed up for the monarchy, we have none other than Kate Middleton. A daunting prospect, no doubt, but it wasn't entirely outside of Kate's realm. Coming from a wealthy upper-class British family with ties to the aristocracy, the future Duchess slipped seamlessly into the traditional atmosphere. But the reality of what royalty really means is something most outsiders could never fully understand.

Royal outsider

So for Hollywood actress Meghan Markle, it might've seemed like experiencing some level of fame could've prepared her for the juggernaut of royalty. Still, Meghan hadn't grown up in extremely rich circles. Her father, who was well-off and worked in television, and her mother, a social worker and yoga instructor, divorced when she was six. As you can tell, Markle's upbringing was more modest than others who've married royals.

The dresses

In an iconic fashion moment, Kate Middleton emerged in her $450,000 classically elegant Alexander McQueen gown. With a nine-foot train and intricate lace, the dress was one to remember. While Meghan's gown isn't as lauded, it was just as elegant. Her boatneck silhouette and 16.5-foot long veil balanced simplicity with royal grandeur. Not to mention, she included something blue, which was a piece of the dress worn on her first date with Prince Harry.

The rings

For the rings, both Harry and William chose jewels that had belonged to their mother. The Duchess of Cambridge's engagement ring is set with a 12-carat blue sapphire, with a price tag of $400,000. As for Meghan Markle's $350,000 ring, her framing diamonds were once Diana's. And if that's not sentimental enough, the center was selected by Prince Harry in the place where their romance all began, Botswana.