Royal Wedding Guest List: Am I Invited?

The guest list for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding included 600 guests at St. George's Chapel, with over 2,000 others on the grounds of Windsor Castle. The royal couple also invited 1,200 members of the public, 200 people from charities, 100 students from local schools, 610 Windsor residents, and 530 members of the Royal Households and Crown Estate. Notable attendees included Serena Williams, three of the Spice Girls, Priyanka Chopra, and George and Amal Clooney.

Celebrities at the wedding

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a star-studded affair, with a host of celebrities in attendance. From Hollywood, A-listers such as Oprah Winfrey, George and Amal Clooney, and Idris Elba joined the celebrations. Oprah, in particular, stood out, donning a Phillip Treacy hat from her own closet and a custom Stella McCartney dress.

Many of Markle's famous "Suits" co-stars were also in attendance, including Patrick J. Adams, Meghan's on-screen husband, who arrived with his real-life wife, Troian Bellisario. Other "Suits" co-stars at the wedding included Gabriel Macht with his wife, Jacinda Barrett, Sarah Rafferty with her husband, Santtu Seppala, and Rick Hoffman.

The royal wedding also saw the gathering of several sports personalities, including tennis legend Serena Williams and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, founder of Reddit. Another sports star in attendance was David Beckham, the English former professional football player, who arrived with his wife, Victoria Beckham, the renowned singer and fashion designer.

The musical fraternity was also well represented, with the likes of Sir Elton John, Joss Stone, and James Blunt gracing the occasion with their presence. Blunt attended with his wife, Sofia Wellesley, the granddaughter of the 8th Duke of Wellington.

Other notable celebrities at the wedding included Priyanka Chopra, an Indian actress and model, who is a close friend of Markle, and Tom Hardy with his wife, Charlotte Riley.

Who was snubbed

It seems that royal weddings are not exempt from the age-old dilemma of who to invite and who to leave off the guest list.

In 2018, when Prince Harry married Meghan Markle, two of the Spice Girls, Mel B and Mel C, were notably absent from the guest list, despite Mel B's previous claim that all five members of the group had been invited. It was speculated that Mel B's "royal wrath" may have been the reason for her exclusion. Meanwhile, there was no obvious reason for Mel C's snub, though she was noted to have the most low-key post-Spice Girls career of the five.

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, was also not invited to the wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William in 2011. She called the snub "so difficult", as she had wanted to be there with her daughters.

In 2024, Marius Borg Høiby, the stepson of the future King of Norway, was uninvited from the wedding of his step-aunt, Princess Märtha Louise of Norway, to Shaman Durek Verrett. This was due to his admission of assaulting his girlfriend while under the influence of cocaine and alcohol.

At the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, actor George Clooney was reportedly snubbed by Sarah Ferguson when he asked her for a dance.

Members of the public who were invited

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle invited 2,640 members of the public to the grounds of Windsor Castle to watch their wedding day arrivals. The couple wanted their wedding to be inclusive of the public and allow them to feel part of the celebrations.

The guest list included people from every corner of the United Kingdom, nominated by nine regional Lord Lieutenant offices. It comprised young people who demonstrated strong leadership, those engaged in community service, and individuals associated with charities and organisations supported by the royal couple.

• Jorja Furze, a 12-year-old amputee from birth and ambassador for the Steel Bones charity. She also established an Anxiety Group for Year Sevens to help new students transition to high school.
• Rashid Bhayat, the 38-year-old CEO of Positive Youth Foundation, a charity established in 2011 to empower young people facing challenging circumstances.
• Tessa Hince and Hayley Ash, founders of the Shipston Christmas Community Lunch, which provides companionship and meals for lonely or isolated individuals during the Christmas season.
• Amelia Thompson, a 12-year-old survivor of the Manchester Arena attack in May 2017.
• Saeed Atcha, a 21-year-old who established Xplode, a youth-led charity that imparts employable skills and journalism experience to young people.
• Pamela Anomneze, the 52-year-old manager of Studio 306 Collective CIC, a social enterprise dedicated to the creative arts as a means of mental health recovery.
• Zoe Arundell, a 20-year-old volunteer with Valley Kids since she was 13. She met Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during their visit to Cardiff.

The bride's family

If you are a member of the bride's family, there are a few things you should know about attending a royal wedding. Firstly, it is important to RSVP to the wedding invitation. While this may seem like common courtesy, it is especially important for a royal wedding, as there are strict protocols in place regarding guest lists and seating arrangements.

In terms of attire, there are several traditions and protocols to follow. For female members of the bride's family, it is customary to wear a conservative day dress, paired with a hat or fascinator. Bare legs are considered inappropriate, so be sure to don a pair of pantyhose or tights. As for the colour of your outfit, it is best to avoid white, cream, and black. The bride's family should also refrain from wearing anything too sheer, gauzy, or transparent, and closed-toe shoes are preferred. For male members of the bride's family, the dress code typically involves "morning dress", which includes a single-breasted suit jacket with tails, waistcoat, pinstriped trousers, and a white shirt. Navy or grey suits are customary, and garish waistcoats or ties should be avoided.

It is also important to arrive at the venue on time, ideally about an hour before the wedding's official start time. This will allow you to find your allocated seat, as seating arrangements are carefully planned, especially for royal weddings.

During the ceremony, it is customary for female guests to cover their shoulders and heads, so be sure to bring a shawl or wear a dress with sleeves. It is also customary for the bride to carry a sprig of myrtle in her bouquet, a tradition that dates back to Queen Victoria.

After the ceremony, there will likely be two receptions: a luncheon hosted by the Queen, followed by an evening reception for the couple's closest family and friends. At these receptions, there may be a dress code change, with female guests donning evening gowns and male guests wearing black-tie attire.

Lastly, it is important to remember that the bride's family will not be expected to pay for the wedding, as the royal family traditionally covers the expenses. However, it is still customary to bring a gift, and making a charitable donation to an organization close to the couple's heart is often appreciated.

The groom's family

If you are a member of the groom's family, it is likely that you are invited to the royal wedding. Prince Harry's father, Prince Charles, will be in attendance, as will Prince William and Kate Middleton. Prince William will also be Prince Harry's best man. Prince Harry's cousin, Princess Eugenie, is also expected to attend, as is his aunt, Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York.

Prince Harry has also invited his ex-girlfriends, Chelsy Davy and Cressida Bonas, to the wedding. Both women are said to be on good terms with the prince.

Frequently asked questions