Royal weddings are watched and celebrated all around the world. Although we’re often
most excited to see the bride’s wedding gown, the second-best moment is always the
bride and groom’s first kiss after saying “I do.” Since royals are typically reserved
about showing PDA, their wedding day is a rare occasion to flaunt their love to the
world. We’re taking a look back at the sweetest royal wedding kisses throughout the years.
Prince Charles and Princess Diana. On July 29, 1981, after marrying Lady Diana
Spencer at St Paul's Cathedral, Prince Charles and his bride headed to Buckingham Palace,
where they kissed for the crowds and cameras. Ever the trendsetter, Princess Diana's balcony
smooch with Charles was the first of its kind. And thus, a new royal wedding tradition began
amongst British royals.
Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew. Following suit, Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of
York and Prince Andrew, Duke of York recreated Diana and Charles' Buckingham Palace balcony
kiss at their own royal wedding on July 23, 1986.
Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway and Crown Princess Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby.
This 2001 Norwegian wedding was a modern-day Cinderella story as the Crown Prince wed a
commoner, former waitress and single mother Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby. Here, the couple
shared a kiss outside Oslo Cathedral where they wed.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands.
The Brits aren't the only ones who love a good balcony kiss. Here, King Willem-Alexander
(then a prince) and his bride shared a peck on the balcony of the Royal Palace of Amsterdam
after tying the knot in 2002.
Princess Märtha Louise of Norway and Ari Behn.
Following their lavish royal wedding in 2002, Princess Märtha Louise of Norway and Ari
Behn kissed on the balcony of Stiftsgarden Palace. Sadly, the couple divorced in 2017
after having three children together. The divorce was a first for Norway's modern royal
family.
Danish Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary.
After tying the knot at Copenhagen Cathedral in 2004, Prince Frederik and Princess Mary
of Denmark kissed on the balcony of Christian VII's Palace.
Prince William and Kate Middleton. Following in the footsteps of his mother and
father, Prince William stepped out onto the Buckingham Palace balcony to kiss his bride
after their royal wedding on April 29, 2011 at Westminster Abbey. Considering the crowd's
deafening cheers, the only one who seemed unsatisfied with the short smooch was their
little disgruntled flower girl, Grace van Cutsem!
Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco.
Monaco's Prince Albert II, the son of Prince Rainier III and Grace Kelly, wed Princess
Charlene on July 2, 2011, and shared a kiss upon leaving Sainte Dévote's Church.
King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Jetsun Pema.
The King of Bhutan and his bride were wed in October 2011 in a days-long celebration
that is said to be the largest media event in the history of the country.
Prince Félix and Princess Claire of Luxembourg. In September 2013, the Prince and Princess
of Luxembourg shared this sweet smooch after tying the knot in the Basilica of Sainte Marie-Madeleine
in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, France.
Prince Carl Philip of Sweden and Princess Sofia.
On June 13, 2015, Sweden's Prince Carl Philip wed Sofia Hellqvist at The Royal Palace, after
which they kissed on the chapel steps.
Pippa Middleton and James Matthews. Although not technically a royal wedding,
these royally adjacent nuptials between the Duchess of Cambridge's sister, Pippa Middleton,
and her husband, James Matthews, were equally exciting—in part thanks to the appearance
of the couple's royal flower girl and page boy, Princess Charlotte and Prince George.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Following their May 19, 2018 ceremony at St.
George's Chapel, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle exited the church to the cheers of the thousands
who had gathered to catch a glimpse of the newlyweds—cheers which only grew louder
when they leaned in for their first post - I do kiss.
Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank In 2018 Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank
share a sweet kiss on the steps of St. George's Chapel just after their wedding ceremony.