Franklin Dean
On 19 May 2018, Meghan Markle, an American actress, married Prince Harry, the second son of King Charles III, at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. The wedding was a break from tradition, with the ceremony held on a Saturday, and was significant for its inclusion of African-American culture. The couple first connected via Instagram and had a blind date in July 2016, making their relationship public in October 2016. They announced their engagement in November 2017, and their wedding was widely watched, with nearly 2 billion viewers worldwide tuning in to witness the union.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Wedding | 19 May 2018 |
| Location | St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, United Kingdom |
| Bride | Meghan Markle, American actress, blogger, charity ambassador, and advocate |
| Groom | Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, member of the British royal family |
| Officiant | Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Wedding Dress | Designed by Clare Waight Keller |
| Veil | 16 feet long, embroidered with 55 flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, Wintersweet, and the California Poppy |
| Tiara | Diamond bandeau tiara, made in 1932 for Queen Mary, lent to Markle by Queen Elizabeth II |
| Cake | American-style wedding cake, made by a Californian baker chosen by the couple |
| Music, Bands, Seating Plans, Table Names | Chosen by the couple |
| Guest List, Venue, Design of Bride's Dress | Possibly controlled by the Royal Family |
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What You'll Learn
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wedding date
The wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry took place on Saturday, May 19, 2018, at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, United Kingdom. The date also marked the couple's new titles as husband and wife: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Markle, an American actress, and Prince Harry, a member of the British royal family, began their relationship in mid-2016. They first met on a blind date and kept their relationship private for a few months before going public. In November 2017, Prince Harry proposed with a unique three-stone engagement ring that included diamonds from Princess Diana's collection.
The wedding ceremony was officiated by Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who also baptized Markle and confirmed her in the Church of England on March 6, 2018, in preparation for the wedding. The traditional Anglican service included elements of African-American culture, reflecting Markle's background as a mixed-race woman.
The wedding inspired speculation and influence, particularly regarding Markle's dress, cake, and flowers. The couple chose a Californian baker for their American-style wedding cake, a break from the traditional fruit cake. Markle's 16-foot silk veil, embroidered with 55 flowers representing the Commonwealth countries, and a diamond bandeau tiara lent to her by Queen Elizabeth II, were notable features of her wedding ensemble.
The wedding day of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was not declared a bank holiday, unlike the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. However, it was commemorated with a set of postage stamps featuring the couple's official engagement photographs, issued by Royal Mail in May.
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The wedding venue
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took place on Saturday, the 19th of May, 2018, at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in the United Kingdom. The wedding ceremony was held at midday and was conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, using the standard Anglican church service for Holy Matrimony. The choice of venue was significant, as St. George's Chapel had previously hosted the weddings of Prince Harry's uncle, the Earl of Wessex, his cousin, Peter Phillips, and the blessing of the marriage of his stepmother, the Duchess of Cornwall, to the then Prince of Wales.
Windsor Castle, located in Berkshire, England, has been a residence of the British Royal Family for almost a millennium. The castle was founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century and has been expanded upon by successive monarchs, resulting in a rich blend of architectural styles. The castle's history and grandeur make it an iconic symbol of the British monarchy.
St. George's Chapel, located within the castle grounds, is a beautiful example of Gothic architecture. The chapel was founded in the 15th century by King Edward IV and took over fifty years to complete. The chapel features stunning stained glass windows, intricate stone carvings, and a magnificent fan-vaulted ceiling. The chapel has a long association with the Royal Family and is the final resting place of several monarchs, including Henry VIII and Charles I.
The choice of Windsor Castle and St. George's Chapel as the wedding venue for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reflected the couple's desire to honour royal tradition while also incorporating their own personal touches. The chapel provided a grand and historic setting for the ceremony, accommodating around 600 guests, including members of the Royal Family, close friends, and notable figures. The venue offered a blend of tradition and modernity, much like the wedding ceremony itself, which incorporated elements of African-American culture.
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Meghan's wedding dress
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy. The dress was made of silk with three-quarter-length sleeves, an open bateau neckline, and a train with a built-in triple silk organza underskirt. The design was noted for its simplicity and elegance, marking a departure from previous royal wedding looks.
Leading up to the royal wedding, there was much speculation about who would design the Duchess of Sussex's wedding gown. Markle herself had commented on wedding dress styles in 2016, expressing a preference for simple styles. She chose Waight Keller for her "elegant aesthetic" and "relaxed demeanour", and because she wanted to highlight the success of a leading British talent. The dress was made in Paris by a small team of ateliers, with only five months to manufacture it and the veil.
The veil was made of silk and was 16 feet (4.9 m) long. It was embroidered with flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, as well as wintersweet, which grows outside the couple's home in Kensington Palace, and the California poppy, the state flower of California. A piece of the blue dress from Markle's first date with Prince Harry was also stitched into the veil.
The choice of dress, as well as the cake and flowers, were speculated to be influential for other British brides' weddings. The Duchess's wedding dress and reception gown have become some of the most iconic celebrity wedding ensembles of all time. The couple's attire was put on display in October 2018 at the "A Royal Wedding: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex" exhibit at Windsor Castle.
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The wedding cake
The wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry took place on 19 May 2018. The wedding cake was a four-tiered lemon and elderflower cake, created by Claire Ptak of East London's Violet Cakes. The cake was enrobed in a thick, fluffy layer of Swiss meringue buttercream and styled with white peonies and roses, as well as green foliage to give it a garden-inspired look.
The choice of baker seemed obvious—Meghan had interviewed Claire for The Tig, and both women shared Californian roots and a life in London. The cake was a favourite option from Violet Bakery, featuring fresh elderflowers, homemade elderflower cordial, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. The recipe can be found in Fern Verrow's cookbook, 'Fern Verrow: A Year of Recipes from a Farm and its Kitchen' by Jane Scotter and Harry Astley.
To make the cake, you first need to heat the oven to 180C/gas mark 4/350F and grease two deep 20cm/8-inch cake tins, lining the bases with baking parchment. Next, break the eggs into a large mixing bowl and add the sugar. Whisk until the mixture is pale and mousse-like, thick enough to leave a trail on the surface when the whisk is lifted. Then, carefully fold in about half of the sifted flour using a large metal spoon.
Divide the mixture between the prepared cake tins and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cakes are golden and beginning to shrink from the sides of the tins. Leave the cakes in the tins for 5 minutes, then turn them out onto wire racks to cool. Meanwhile, make the buttercream by putting the sugar and water in a heavy-based pan and heating gently until the sugar has dissolved. Turn up the heat and bring to a boil, continuing to boil until the syrup reaches the thread stage (115C on a sugar thermometer).
Gradually trickle the warm sugar syrup onto the egg yolks in a bowl, whisking with an electric hand whisk until thick and mousse-like. Cream the butter until very soft and fluffy, then gradually beat it into the egg mixture a little at a time. Finally, beat in the elderflower cordial. Sandwich the cakes together with the buttercream and icing, which is made by sifting the icing sugar into a small bowl and stirring in the elderflower cordial and lemon juice until spreadable.
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Meghan's first marriage
Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, was previously married to American actor and film producer Trevor Engelson. The pair met in 2004 when Markle was 22 years old and dated for six years before getting engaged in 2010. They tied the knot in a beachfront ceremony in Jamaica in August 2011, when Markle was 30 years old. At the time, Markle was establishing her acting career, notably starring in the TV series "Suits," with the first episode airing just months before the wedding.
Markle's first marriage lasted about three years, and the divorce was finalized in 2014, with some sources citing 2013 as the year of finalization. The couple separated due to "irreconcilable differences," with reports claiming that the long-distance nature of their relationship and the demands of their careers contributed to the breakdown of the marriage. Markle's role on "Suits," which filmed in Toronto while Engelson worked in Los Angeles, made it challenging for them to maintain a long-distance relationship.
Following their divorce, both Markle and Engelson moved on to new relationships. Markle started dating Prince Harry in 2016, and they tied the knot on May 19, 2018, at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. The wedding incorporated elements of African-American culture and included a 16-foot silk veil embroidered with flowers representing the Commonwealth countries.
Engelson, on the other hand, reportedly married a multi-millionaire heiress and is now a father. He has found success as an executive producer and has been the subject of rumors regarding a potential memoir about his relationship with Markle.
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Frequently asked questions
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry got married on 19 May 2018, so it has been 5 years since their wedding.
The wedding took place at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in the United Kingdom.
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller under the Givenchy fashion house. The dress was made of double-bonded silk cady cushioned by an underskirt in triple silk organza and had a boat neckline, long sleeves, and a sweeping train.
