Royal Wedding Countdown: here comes the bride

In a very sweet moment of royal wedding preparation, we found out today that the mother of the bride, Doria Ragland, will have a very special role in the wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. For while Meghan's dad, Thomas Markle, will walk her down the aisle, it's mum who will accompany her on the journey to Windsor that will begin her path to royalty.

Royal Wedding Countdown: the Myrtle of Sweden

Princess Sofia of Sweden's wedding bouquet was the latest to follow a royal tradition

(photo kungahuset.se)

We're all expecting Meghan Markle to include some myrtle in her wedding bouquet - it's a long standing tradition for British royal brides and they usually take a sprig from a plant belonging to Queen Victoria. But the House of Windsor isn't the only one that follows this rather romantic tradition. All Swedish royal brides wear myrtle in their hair or carry it in their bouquets on their wedding day. It's a sweet custom that not only makes the flowers a bit easier to sort, it provides a link to an ancestress whose influence shaped the modern family.

May's Royal Brides: Queen Letizia of Spain's Tiara

Queen Letizia of Spain in her 'something borrowed' tiara

(photo casa real)

When you're royal, something borrowed takes on a whole new meaning. Meghan Markle will no doubt be dipping into the tiara troves of Buckingham Palace for a piece of sparkle to set the tone on her bridal look. And she's just the latest in a long line of recent royal brides who have borrowed the bling for their big day. When TV presenter, Letizia Ortiz Rocosolano, married the then Prince Felipe of Spain on May 22nd 2004 she took a loan from her soon to be mother in law for her dose of diamonds. She couldn't have made a more symbolic choice because this tiara has serious royal wedding history.

May's Royal Brides: Princess Marie of Denmark

As royal wedding fever ramps up, all things regal and bridal just get lovelier. This week, we're looking back at some other May royal brides as we wait for Meghan Markle to join their club. We're rewinding ten years, to May 24th 2008, when Marie Cavallier married Prince Joachim of Denmark. it was relatively low key but that didn't mean a full on white frock and tiara were out of the question. When Joachim and Marie said 'I do' on May 24th 2008, we got a lace confection with diamonds and train. Here's a look back at the dress worn by Marie of Denmark on the day she became a princess.

Royal Wedding Countdown: May's Royal Brides

May is about to get a new royal bride. Meghan Markle will marry Prince Harry this month at St. George's Chapel, Windsor. May's collection of royal brides already contains some of the most famous to say 'I do' in recent years and while Meghan will get plenty of attention on her big day, these women have also starred in celebrations that made headlines around the world. As Meghan makes the final preparations for her big day, here are eight royal brides who also got married in May....