Red, White & Royal Wedding Gets R Rating After Original Film’s Viral Sex Scene

Alex and Henry’s next chapter has received an R rating, and fans of Red, White & Royal Blue are ready for another royal appointment.

Red, White & Royal Wedding has been classified in the United States “for sexual content/nudity and language”, according to PinkNews, fuelling speculation about what awaits the returning couple.

Taylor Zakhar Perez returns as Alex Claremont-Diaz, the bisexual son of the US president, alongside Nicholas Galitzine as gay British royal Prince Henry.

A Steamy Red, White & Royal Wedding

When the sequel was confirmed in May 2024, the announcement followed a special screening in Culver City, with the stars returning after the original film’s success.

And the first movie gave audiences plenty to talk about.

Straight viewers around the world had a viral reaction to Alex and Henry’s sex scene, which prompted some viewers to discover that, yes, gay men can have missionary sex.

@capt_thomas1492 gay guys can do missionary?

— grace🙀 (@enchantdlovr) August 12, 2023

Director Matthew López joined the conversation, sharing a screenshot of one surprised viewer’s post on Instagram with the caption: “My work here is done.”

Beyond the internet’s impromptu sex education lesson, López was clear that intimacy belonged in the story.

“Part of the charm of the novel is how they really can’t stop having sex, and it’s fun!” he told Queerty at the time.

López also explained that the ratings board offered suggestions for securing a PG-13 classification, which would have substantially altered the scene. The filmmakers and studio accepted the R rating instead.

“It was accepted, and we moved on,” he said.

The sequel’s classification continues from the original film, which also received an R rating. While its wording drops the original descriptor’s references to “some” sexual content and “partial” nudity, it does not confirm specific scenes or how much viewers will see.

And before anyone orders matching wedding suits, the title refers to the wedding of Princess Beatrice, Henry’s younger sister, rather than Alex and Henry tying the knot.

Jamie Babbit, director of But I’m a Cheerleader, takes over directing duties, with López co-writing alongside Gemma Burgess and original novelist Casey McQuiston.

“We all need this kind of optimism, fantasy, and gay joy,” Babbit said in Amazon’s announcement.

Returning cast members include Uma Thurman, Sarah Shahi, Rachel Hilson and Stephen Fry, while newcomers include Lena Headey, Chloe Fineman, Henry Ashton and Alex Høgh Andersen.

Filming began in January 2026 and wrapped in March. A release date has not been announced.

For now, the royal guest list is taking shape, but fans are waiting for their invitation.