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Sometimes it’s important for women everywhere to take the weight of feminism off their shoulders, put on a tiara, sip champagne, and watch as one of the most privileged and historically problematic families celebrate a very fancy wedding.

Last Saturday was one of those days.

Many of us were surprised, however, when the wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry broke a number of royal traditions, making us feel just a little less guilty about enjoying such a bizarrely nationalistic spectacle.

Yes, the event was still an obscene display of unimaginable wealth. And yes, most of us fundamentally disagree with what it represents.

But given Prince Harry’s role as the ‘spare’ rather than the ‘heir’ in the British royal family, his wedding was a stark contrast to the other royal wedding that sits most clearly in recent memory – that of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

So in the spirit of taking a break from feminism and fawning over the details of two exceptionally beautiful days, here are the 12 biggest differences between the last two British royal weddings.

1. Dress

While Meghan Markle wore a simple, elegant boat neck dress by Givenchy, with a dramatically long lace veil, Middleton wore an Alexander McQueen gown with lace detail and a shorter veil. It’s thought Markle’s exceptionally long veil was a way to honour her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, whose veil was similar.

Meghan Markle's wedding dress.

Kate Middleton's wedding dress.

Cartier Halo Tiara, and the Duchess of Sussex wearing a diamond center-stone adorned filigree tiara, which was originally designed for Queen Mary.

2. Church

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were married at St George's Chapel in Windsor, while Prince William and Kate Middleton's ceremony was held at Westminster Abbey in London.

St George's chapel.

Westminster Abbey.

3. Flowers

Both Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton's bouquets included myrtle, known for symbolising hope and love. Markle's also reportedly included one of Diana's favourite flowers, forget-me-knots, which were handpicked by Prince Harry.

Markle's bouquet was smaller than Middleton's.

Middleton's bouquet also included lilies, hyacinths, and ivy.

4. Guest list

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding had a number of American celebrity guests. Markle's Suitsco-stars, as well as George Clooney and Oprah Winfrey made for some iconic celebrity appearances.

Amal and George Clooney. Image: Getty.

Oprah Winfrey.

Suits actor Patrick J. Adams and wife Troian Bellisario.

Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding, however, had a more understated guest list, including the Prime Minister at the time, David Cameron, and his wife. Actor Rowan Atkinson was also invited to Prince William's wedding, but not to Prince Harry's.

Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha. (Photo by Martin Fraser/FilmMagic)

Rowan Atkinson and his wife Sunetra Sastry.

5. Bridal party

Ahead of her wedding, it was reported Meghan Markle would not be choosing a maid of honour. Instead, she had six young bridesmaids and four page boys - similar to Princess Diana's wedding, which featured young bridesmaids who were the daughters of her friends.

Bridesmaids arrive at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Kate Middleton's bridal party was slightly less traditional with her younger sister Pippa acting as her maid of honour.

Pippa Middleton with bridesmaids and page boys.

Pippa Middleton on her way to Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding ceremony.

6. Walk down the aisle

While it's British royal tradition for the bride's father to walk her down the aisle, Markle entered the church alone, and was later joined by Prince Charles.

Meghan Markle walks down the aisle independently.

Like Princess Diana, Kate Middleton was walked down the aisle by her father.

Kate Middleton walks down the aisle with her father Michael Middleton.

7. Rings

Both Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton's wedding rings were made out of Welsh gold. Prince Harry, however, decided to wear a wedding ring made out of platinum gold, as opposed to Prince William, who does not wear a wedding band.

Meghan Markle's wedding ring.