Royals, Dukes And A Wedding

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was held on Saturday 19 May 2018 at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, UK. On the morning of the wedding, Queen Elizabeth II conferred upon Harry the titles of Duke of Sussex, Earl of Dumbarton and Baron Kilkeel. Markle became a princess of the United Kingdom and gained the style Her Royal Highness and titles Duchess of Sussex, Countess of Dumbarton and Baroness Kilkeel. The wedding was a fairytale event with a traditional ceremony, a luncheon reception and a private evening affair. The couple tied the knot in front of an estimated 1.9 billion viewers, making it one of the biggest televised events in history.

Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle took place on Saturday, May 19, 2018, at St George's Chapel, Windsor

The choice of venue was also significant. St George's Chapel had previously hosted the weddings of Harry's uncle, the Earl of Wessex, his cousin, Peter Phillips, and the blessing of the marriage of his father, then the Prince of Wales, and the Duchess of Cornwall, Harry's stepmother. The chapel is at least 500 years old and is the final resting place of several monarchs, including King George VI, the Queen Mother, and King Edward VII.

The wedding was a traditional ceremony noted for its inclusion of African-American culture. The couple's vows were standard, with Meghan omitting the word "obey." The ceremony included a gospel choir, an orchestra, and a performance by 19-year-old cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason. The couple shared their first married kiss on the steps of the chapel and then rode through Windsor in an open-top Ascot Landau horse-drawn carriage.

Following the ceremony, the Queen hosted a luncheon reception for 600 guests at St. George's Hall. Elton John performed, and Harry gave an impromptu speech. Later, Prince Charles hosted a private evening reception for the couple and their 200 closest friends at Frogmore House.

Harry's wedding date broke tradition as it fell on a weekend

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Saturday, 19 May 2018, broke with royal tradition in several ways, one of which was the choice of date. While previous British royal weddings have typically taken place on weekdays, Harry and Meghan opted for a weekend wedding, with their ceremony held on a Saturday.

This decision was a deliberate departure from the usual custom, as a spokesperson for the couple explained: "We knew how large the scale of the event would be, so in making choices that were really personal and meaningful, it could make the whole experience feel intimate."

The date of the wedding was also significant as it fell on the same day as the FA Cup Final, which Prince Harry's brother, William, normally attends in his role as President of the Football Association. However, it was confirmed that the Duke of Cambridge would not be attending the final that day.

Another break with tradition was the choice of venue. Unlike his brother, who married at Westminster Abbey in London, Prince Harry chose to say his vows at St. George's Chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle. This decision was influenced by the chapel's rich history, having served as the site of numerous royal weddings and as the final resting place of several monarchs.

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a highly anticipated event that attracted worldwide attention. The couple's decision to hold their wedding on a weekend was likely influenced by their desire to include and involve the public in their celebration, allowing more people to tune in and participate in the festivities.

In addition to the date and venue, the wedding also featured other unique elements, such as the inclusion of African-American culture in the service and the bride's choice of dress, which was speculated to influence the choices of other British brides.

Harry's wedding venue, St George's Chapel, has been the site of numerous royal weddings

St George's Chapel has been a "very special place" for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, as it is where the prince was christened as an infant in December 1984. The chapel also holds significance for the couple as it became a meaningful site during their 18-month relationship before their wedding.

Over the years, St George's Chapel has witnessed the weddings of several members of the royal family. It was the chosen venue for the nuptials of Prince Harry's uncle, the Earl of Wessex, and his cousin, Peter Phillips. Additionally, it was the setting for the blessing of the marriage between the then-Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005. The chapel also served as the final resting place for several monarchs, including King George VI, Queen Mother Elizabeth, Henry VIII, and King Edward VII, among others.

The historic chapel, with its capacity to accommodate 800 guests, offers a more intimate setting compared to larger venues like Westminster Abbey. This choice of venue reflected Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's desire to have a wedding focused on fun, joy, and a celebration that included the public. The couple's wedding day, Saturday, May 19, 2018, was unique as royal weddings traditionally take place on weekdays.

Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle was one of the biggest televised events in history, with an estimated 1.9 billion viewers

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was one of the biggest televised events in history, with an estimated 1.9 billion viewers tuning in to watch the ceremony. The couple tied the knot on 19 May 2018 at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, England. The groom is a member of the British royal family, and the bride is an American actress. The wedding was a fairytale event, captivating the world and featuring a host of A-list guests.

The ceremony was a traditional affair, with Meghan wearing a stunning gown designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy. The dress featured a boat neckline, long sleeves, and a sweeping train. Her hair and makeup were kept natural and elegant, with her longtime friend and makeup artist Daniel Martin creating her look. Prince Harry wore a Blues and Royals frock coat uniform, a style he chose with permission from his grandmother, the Queen.

The wedding venue, St George's Chapel, also held special significance. It is at least 500 years old and has been the site of numerous royal weddings, including those of Queen Victoria's children. It is also the final resting place of several monarchs, including King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, Prince Harry's grandparents.

The guest list included notable names such as Serena Williams, Priyanka Chopra, George and Amal Clooney, and David and Victoria Beckham. The ceremony was officiated by Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and included a special sermon by American Bishop Michael Bruce Curry, who quoted Martin Luther King Jr. The music during the service was also memorable, with a gospel choir singing "Stand By Me" and an orchestra performing a variety of pieces.

The wedding was not just a grand event but also a meaningful one for the couple. They chose to include personal and meaningful touches, such as Meghan's "something blue," which was a piece of fabric from her first date with Prince Harry stitched into her veil. The wedding flowers were also carefully selected, with Prince Harry including forget-me-nots, his late mother Princess Diana's favourite flower, in Meghan's bouquet.

The royal wedding was more than just a celebration; it was a global event that brought people together and showcased the couple's love and commitment. It was a day filled with joy, tradition, and a touch of modern flair, leaving an enduring mark in the history of British royalty.

Harry's wedding included a private ceremony three days prior, where the couple privately exchanged vows

Harry and Meghan's wedding included a private ceremony three days prior, where the couple privately exchanged vows. In their interview with Oprah Winfrey, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex revealed that they had privately exchanged vows three days before their royal wedding ceremony. Meghan shared that they had called the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and asked him to preside over a private exchange of vows. She explained that they wanted their union to be intimate and personal, separate from the spectacle of the royal wedding.

The private ceremony took place in the couple's backyard, with just the Archbishop as a witness. Meghan described how the vows from this ceremony were framed and hung in their room. This intimate moment allowed the couple to have a personal and meaningful experience before the public wedding.

The public wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took place on Saturday, May 19, 2018, at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, United Kingdom. The ceremony was a grand affair with approximately 1,200 members of the public invited to witness the event outside the chapel. The guest list for the public wedding included A-list celebrities and prominent figures, such as George and Amal Clooney, Serena Williams, and Priyanka Chopra.

The private ceremony, held three days prior, was a symbolic exchange of vows and not a legally binding event. According to British law, a legal marriage ceremony requires at least two witnesses in addition to the couple. However, the private exchange of vows held significant value for Harry and Meghan, allowing them to celebrate their union in an intimate and personal way before the grand public ceremony.

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