While many royal weddings don't garner the attention of Prince William and Kate Middleton's big day, they don't lack in lavishness. Last weekend, Princess Madeleine of Sweden married US banker Christopher O'Neill in Stockholm, Sweden, and it was far from a modest affair. The princess was dressed in a lace gown designed by Valentino Garavani, and the designer was among the many VIP guests that included other royals from around the world, like Princess Charlene of Monaco and England's Prince Edward.
Madeleine and Christopher's nuptials were part of a long tradition of elaborate royal weddings around the world. Last year, the tiny country of Luxembourg treated its Crown Prince Guillaume to an extravagant affair when he married Belgian Countess Stephanie de Lannoy. The celebration, which reportedly cost around $650,000 and was funded by taxpayers, spanned multiple days, and included a guest list packed with kings, queens and other royals from around the world. In Brunei, Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah, the fifth daughter of Brunei's sultan, married Pengiran Haji Muhammad Ruzaini at her father's 1,700-room palace in front of 3,000 guests. A state dinner followed, and Queen Elizabeth II even sent her best wishes.
These royals make up some of the lesser-known but just as regal royals of the world. And just like the Brits, they know how to throw opulent weddings for members of their families. From the wedding for the future emperor of Japan in 1924 to Grace Kelly's Monaco spectacular in 1956 to Will and Kate's big day on April 29, 2011, here is a guide to the world's royal weddings over the years.
