To many, the idea of 10 small children serving as bridesmaids and page boys at a wedding sounds like a recipe for disaster. But Meghan Markle and Prince Harry went for it anyway — and everyone behaved just fine.
Prince George, 4, Princess Charlotte, 3, and their eight cohorts made up of several of the royal couple’s godchildren and friends’ children, managed to accompany Meghan down the aisle and sit through the near-hour-long ceremony without incident, as nary a candy wrapper was heard nor program dropped while millions of people watched. According to Myka Meier of Beaumont Etiquette, which was founded in Kensington and teaches courses on etiquette at The Plaza Hotel in New York City, that seemingly flawless behavior is the result of practice, practice, practice.
“Etiquette training for the royals starts as soon as they’re old enough to sit at a table,” Meier says. “They are raised having formal meals, going to formal events and practicing everything from voice levels to dressing appropriately to even, of course, how to curtsy and bow. The children in the wedding would have been very well prepared through rehearsals and even learned wedding specific behavior and protocol.”
Jewelry designer Claudia Bradby, who attended the wedding with her husband, ITN anchor Tom Bradby, told ITV that seeing the children walk down the aisle was a highlight of the already-exciting day: “They were very well practiced, they looked as if they were really enjoying it.”
- It’s the event of the year! Be sure to keep up with all of PEOPLE’s royal wedding coverage and don’t forget to check out everything you need to know about Meghan Markle’s perfect style.
Of course, we’re talking about royals, here, and they aren’t without some assistance. “They would have many royal aides and members of the royal family to assist and guide the children through the day,” Meier adds. “If there were any issues, they would have been seamlessly taken care of.”
While Meier isn’t aware of any specific tips or tricks taught to the royal children, she does offer this recommendation to moms in awe of George, Charlotte, and the like: “Generally, the best way to keep a child well behaved during a ceremony is by using positive reinforcement, and of course reward good behavior!”
That seemed to work out well for one of the children at the royal wedding. “One little girl was upset but being comforted by the promise of Peppa Pig and Smarties later,” Bradby said.
- Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!
George and Charlotte were joined in the wedding party by Brian and John Mulroney, who carried Meghan’s veil down the aisle; their little sister Ivy Mulroney; Meghan’s goddaughters Remi and Rylan Litt; Jasper Dyer, the son of Harry’s friend Mark Dyer; and Zalie Warren and Florence van Cutsem, Harry’s goddaughters.
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}