The ultimate guide for a royal hen or stag do, according to Tatler

Fancy dress and a no-photo policy - this is how to celebrate a marriage like a royal

(AFP/Getty Images)

Whether you're a royal or a commoner, one thing’s for certain - when it comes to a wedding, we’re all up for a party in the lead up to the big day.

While members of the royal family may have to consider a few minor extra factors when planning hen and stag dos - such as tight security and avoiding having a photo of the night’s exploits splashed across the front page of the newspaper - at the end of the day, everyone in the wedding party just wants to have fun.

High society magazine Tatler has come up with the ultimate guide for a royal hen or stag do, drawing inspiration from the past escapades of married members of the royal family.

From Diana, Princess of Wales turning up to a bachelorette party in policewoman garb to the Duke of Edinburgh and his friends breaking the press’s cameras at his stag do, the royals have definitely had their fair share of fun-filled nights out.

The first thing that Tatler advises when planning a royal hen or stag do is to conjure up an element of surprise.

“Surprise is key,” they wrote. “No hen or stag, royal or otherwise, should know the details of their own party.”

Case in point: Before Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden married in 2010, her wedding party risked a royal alarm being sounded by having her “kidnapped” by masked men.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pose in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace on November 27 2017 following the announcement of their engagement. (AFP/Getty Images)

However, all was fine in the end, as the princess ended up partying the night away in Stockholm and on a yacht that sailed around the Swedish coast.

While we may be used to seeing the royals dressed up to the nines at royal banquets and plush events, some have been known to enjoy taking part in fancy dress from time to time, especially when there’s a wedding involved.

“At Sarah, Duchess of York’s hen, she and Diana, Princess of Wales dressed as policewomen and ended up crashing the Duke of York’s stag at Annabel’s,” Tatler wrote.

There are even rumours that the Duke of Cambridge was forced to wear a hairpiece and a chest wig at his own stag party. Now wouldn’t that be a sight to behold!

Some royals prefer to spend their night of celebration abroad, such as Pippa Middleton who went skiing in Méribel with her sister while enjoying the splendour of their very own private chalet.

However, others prefer a more stately affair.

Charles, Prince of Wales took his friends for a private dinner at Whites for his pre-wedding event, while the Duchess of Cambridge went to a friend’s house for a chilled dinner.

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge kiss on the balcony at Buckingham Palace on April 29 2011 on the day of their royal wedding.

For the royals who do decide to venture out and hit the town, making sure that you’re not spotted by the paparazzi doing anything embarrassing is paramount.

Legend has it that the Duke of Edinburgh had a sneaky tactic for dodging that particular predicament.

When Prince Philip arrived at the Dorchester with his friends for his bachelor party, they all agreed to photos before jokingly asking whether they could have a turn taking photos of the press with their cameras.

However, the press undoubtedly regretted agreeing a second later.

“Once the cameras had been handed over, they smashed the light bulbs, ensuring there would be no photos that night. Cunning,” Tatler wrote.

Members of the royal family grow up learning the dos and don’ts of table manners.

However, something tells us they weren't taught drinking games during their etiquette lessons.

Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, at The Dorchester Hotel in London on the night of his stag party on 20 November 1947 (Rex Features)

“Apparently the Duke of Cambridge’s stag involved the Name Game, where he ended up with a sticker on his head saying ‘The Queen’ and having to guess who she was,” Tatler revealed.

“At his cousin Peter Phillip’s stag, he supposedly downed numerous pints and then dropped his trousers.”

It seems that when it comes to celebrating your last official few moments of singledom, the royals are just like the rest of us - just slightly posher.