Kate Middleton can't be a bridesmaid at sister Pippa's wedding this month - here's why

Kate Middleton can't be a bridesmaid at sister Pippa's wedding this month - here's why

Kate Middleton can't be a bridesmaid at sister Pippa's wedding this month - here's why, When Kate Middleton married Prince William in 2011, the wedding was bound to capture the world's attention.

What few people would have predicted is that most heads were turned by her bridesmaid, sister Pippa Middleton.

Stunning in a beautiful, curve-hugging dress, the image of the socialite walking behind Kate as she entered Westminster Abbey became one of the most iconic of the royal wedding.

Now Pippa is engaged and due to marry partner James Matthews this month, many will expect her to return the favour and have Kate as a bridesmaid.

It's what sisters do, right?

Wrong. Kate won't be a bridesmaid at Pippa's wedding - and the reason is all down to etiquette.

Bridesmaids were traditionally chosen from unmarried women of marriageable age in the bride's family.

The main bridesmaid can only be called the chief bridesmaid or maid of honour if she is unwed. If she's married, she is dubbed the 'matron of honour'.

So if Kate is made a part of Pippa's wedding, it won't be as a bridesmaid.

Having been married for five years and had children, she'll be Pippa's matron of honour, if anything - but it's looking unlikely that she'll be in the bridal party at all.

Instead, it's been announced that her children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, will be a page boy and flower girl.

Royals author Judy Wade told People: “Kate would upstage her sister. It’s a tricky situation for Pippa.

"She would want her sister by her side, as who else would she trust to make things go well?

“But if your sister is a future Queen, she is going to upstage the bride and draw attention. Kate would want to be in the background as much as possible.”

Handily, Pippa has now got a beautiful niece and nephew as a flower girl and page boy.

Let's hope George takes to it better than his dad, William, did at Prince Andrew's wedding in 1986.

For a family who dresses their young children in shorts to keep in line with tradition, it's unlikely they would break such important rules in wedding etiquette.

We'll have to wait and find out what role, if any, Kate will play in the wedding day.

The younger sister will marry her banking tycoon fiancé, 41-year-old James Matthews on May 20 in her local village church.

Surrounded by a much smaller selection of friends and family, the 150 guests will include some very famous faces.

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