LONDON — Prince William will be wearing a red British army tunic for his marriage to Kate Middleton Friday — rather than his blue Royal Air Force (RAF) uniform.
William holds the honorary rank of colonel of the Irish Guards, so is entitled to walk down the aisle in the famous regiment’s dashing scarlet uniform.
He will wear a gold and crimson sash and gold sword slings — customarily worn in the presence of a member of the Royal family — but he will not carry a sword.
He will also don a Garter sash and star, RAF “wings,” and a Golden Jubilee medal.
The decision was a surprise because the prince is a serving flight lieutenant in the RAF, working as a search and rescue helicopter pilot, and could have worn the air force uniform.
The last major royal wedding to feature a groom marrying in “red” was Captain Mark Phillips, at the time an officer with the 1st Queen’s Dragoon Guards, who wed Princess Anne in 1973.
Prince Harry, a newly promoted captain in the Household Cavalry’s Blues and Royals, will wear the uniform of his new rank.
Meanwhile, the bride’s wedding ring is following a royal tradition and has been made by royal warrant holder Wartski.
The plain, thin band was made from gold that came from the Clogau St David’s mine at Bontddu in North Wales and it was given to William on his engagement as a present from his grandmother.
William who wears a signet ring, has chosen not to wear a wedding ring.
The custom of using Welsh gold was started by the Queen Mother in 1923 and has been used for Royal brides ever since.
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