Meghan Markle wedding speech: Tips and advice before royal wedding REVEALED
The Suits’ actress is planning an “affectionate” tribute to her future husband during the summer wedding, the Sunday Times reported. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will marry on May 19 in front of around 800 guests at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. It is understood that Meghan will speak at the reception following the wedding. Her father, Thomas Markle, will walk his daughter down the aisle but it is unlikely he will speak at the wedding, having decided to keep out of the limelight following the announcement of the engagement last year. The speech will be a break from royal marital tradition, but Prince Harry reportedly believes it is a great idea, so what advice do marriage experts give the future bride-to-be?
Wedding speech expert Carole Spiers advises the actress not to make the speech theatrical and too “Hollywood”, but to just be herself. “Meghan will certainly appreciate that all eyes will be looking at her as she will be breaking with British royal tradition in delivery a speech,” Carole exclusively told Express.co.uk. “However, it is important for her not to steal the show away from others who will be making speeches. So less Hollywood and more down to earth and sincere. I have no doubt that her acting expertise will enable her to do this.” The wedding speech expert said there is no doubt Meghan will have learnt her lines, given that she is an actress, but she will be very nervous on the day.
Getty Meghan Markle will break royal marital tradition by giving a speech at her wedding
“Even though she will know her lines backwards, she will still be very nervous. It's one role she has never taken on, and there is a big difference between the cameramen behind Suits and speaking in front of the British royal family.” Start with a strong opening, which can be a quote, a surprising fact, a statistic - something to capture the audience as soon as you speak, Carole added. Make the speech “charming and human”, Jade Beer, editor of Brides magazine and author of The Summer Wedding advised, as the best speeches are the ones that take the audience on a journey and make it personal. Jokes are best avoided, what is acceptable in one culture may not be suitable in another, Carole said, and there is no point going for belly laughs unless you think you can pull it off, Jade advised. Although a throwaway line might keep the speech light-hearted.
Getty Prince Harry reportedly believes Meghan giving a speech at the wedding is a great idea
Over the last five years, there has been an increase in brides giving speeches, with a growing feeling among young women they do not want men speaking for them on their wedding day. Jade Beer said: “I would say about one in five of the weddings we now feature will be one where the bride has given a speech. As recently as five years ago, it was still considered a novelty. Now it’s really nothing exceptional. “I’m not at all surprised that Meghan will give a speech. Speech giving is huge at American weddings where often the mic will be passed around and anyone in the room can have their moment.” Carole explained brides may want to thank people themselves or remember someone who has died or is special to them, which is hard to do through a third party.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures Thu, January 18, 2018 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's love story in pictures. Play slideshow Getty Images 1 of 64 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch a performance by a Welsh choir in the banqueting hall
Meghan will be wary of the length of her speech on her wedding day and the advice is to keep any speech brief. Jade said do not make the speech “a long list of thank-yous” as everyone will switch off. Between five and eight minutes is the traditional length, Carole explained, some may keep their speech short and sweet, while others want to demonstrate their speaking skills “Don’t make it boring as you are entertaining your audience,” the wedding speech expert added. Both wedding experts advised going over the speech again and again until it is committed to memory.
Getty Wedding experts have advised against Meghan telling any jokes in her wedding speech