royal weddings around the world

Set foot in the venues where your favorite royals have wed. (Photo: Getty Images)

Weddings

Where Do Royals ‘Round the World Marry? Set Foot in 6 Spots Where Nobility Say ‘I Do’

Palatial palaces and cavernous castles are what royal weddings are made of, but you don’t have to be in line for the crown — or invited to the big day — to experience these past royal wedding venues in person.

Whether it be Westminster Abbey — where some of the U.K.’s most talked about knots are tied (we’re looking at you, Harry and Megan!) — or destinations further afield, these six royal wedding sites are open to the public and worth a visit.

St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, England

royal weddings around the world
Windsor Castle has been the setting for many a royal wedding. (Photo: Getty Images)

Prince Charles, Lady Helen of Windsor and Edward VII are just a few members of the British royal family who have wedded at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, in England. And yes, Prince Harry also joins that growing list with his wedding to Meghan Markle (coincidentally, he was also christened there as a baby).

Founded in 1348 by Edward III, the ornate, 800-seat chapel is still fully operational and holds worship services multiple times a week, which are open to the public, along with concerts, recitals and other events.

Westminster Abbey, England

royal weddings around the world
More than a dozen royal wedding have been held at Westminster Abbey. (Photo: Getty Images)

One of the most recognizable pieces of architecture in London is Westminster Abbey, a Gothic-style church whose history dates back to 960 AD. Over the years it has been the venue for 16 royal weddings, most recently that of Prince William to Kate Middleton (Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge) in 2011.

The Abbey also has served as the default location for every Coronation since 1066. Visitors are welcome to explore the massive structure or join a guided tour, which includes a visit to the royal tombs, the Shrine and the Coronation Chair, originally built in 1300 for King Edward I.

The Royal Palace of Stockholm, Sweden

On July 28, 1869, Princess Louise of Sweden wed Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark during a lavish ceremony at the Royal Palace of Stockholm (also known as Stockholm Palace).

Today, the sprawling Baroque structure is better known for being the official residence and royal palace of the Swedish monarch than a wedding venue and has remained a popular destination for tourists interested in getting a glimpse of how the other half lives.

Tours include visits to the Royal Apartments, the Royal Chapel and the Treasury, the secret vaults that store the monarchy’s most valuable regalia, including Gustav Vasa’s sword of state and Erik XIV’s crown.

Notre-Dame Cathedral, Luxembourg

royal weddings around the world
A stop at the cathedral is a must on your Luxembourg visit. (Photo: Getty Images)

Once a Jesuit church and later consecrated as a cathedral by Pope Pius IX, the Notre-Dame Cathedral is the only cathedral in Luxembourg and has been the location of several recent royal weddings, including nuptials in 1981 and 2012 for Hereditary Grand Duke Henri and Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume, respectively.

Thanks to its intricate stained-glass windows and distinct spires, the late-Gothic cathedral has remained a prominent destination for visitors. Look for the statue of Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted, a popular pilgrimage stop, as well as the two bronze lions guarding the cathedral’s crypt.

Frederiksborg Castle, Denmark

royal weddings around the world
You’ll see a castle and a museum on your visit to Frederiksborg. (Photo: Getty Images)

Built in the 17th century by King Christian IV, Frederiksborg Castle is the largest Renaissance castle in Scandinavia and home to the Museum of Natural History, which houses 500 years’ worth of Danish history in the form of portraits, paintings and furniture. In 1995, it was also the site of Prince Joachim of Denmark’s first wedding (he later remarried in 2008).

Prince’s Palace of Monaco

Open from March 31 to October 14, 2018, the Prince’s Palace is the official residence of the Sovereign Prince of Monaco and dates back to 1191 when it served as a Genoese fortress.

Over the years, a number of royal family members have tied the knot there, including Albert II, Prince of Monaco, in 2011. Online reservations for tours of the palace are available and include visits to the State Apartments and the palace’s private antique car collection.