Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding took place on 19 May 2018 at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. 600 guests were invited to the ceremony, including members of the royal family, celebrities, and close friends of the couple. In addition, 2,000 members of the public were invited to the grounds of the castle to celebrate the occasion.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Date of the wedding | 19 May 2018 |
Venue | St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle |
Number of invites sent out | 600 |
Number of guests present in the chapel | 600 |
Number of guests outside the castle | 2,000+ |
Number of guests at the luncheon hosted by the Queen | 600 |
Number of guests at the reception hosted by Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles | 200 |
What You'll Learn
- guests were invited to the ceremony at St. George's Chapel
- ,000 members of the public were invited to the grounds of the castle
- guests were invited to the evening reception at Frogmore House
- The Queen and Prince Philip were invited
- Notable names on the guest list included Oprah Winfrey, Idris Elba, and George and Amal Clooney
600 guests were invited to the ceremony at St. George's Chapel
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding was a grand affair, with 600 guests invited to the ceremony at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. The guest list included relatives of the groom and bride, members of reigning and non-reigning royal families, and friends of the couple.
The groom's relatives in attendance included his paternal grandparents, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh; his father and stepmother, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall; his brother and sister-in-law, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge; his nephew, Prince George of Cambridge; his niece, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge; and many others.
The bride's mother, Doria Ragland, was also in attendance and accompanied Meghan on the car ride to the ceremony. Sadly, Meghan's father, Thomas Markle Sr., was unable to attend due to health issues.
Members of reigning royal families who attended included Prince Seeiso and Princess Mabereng Seeiso of Lesotho, who co-founded the Sentebale charity with Prince Harry. Members of non-reigning royal families were also present, such as the Hereditary Prince and Princess of Oettingen-Spielberg.
Notable friends of the couple who were invited included Victoria Aitken, Markus Anderson, Alessandra Balazs, Carolyn Bartholomew, Cressida Bonas, Emilie van Cutsem, and many others.
The 600 guests at the ceremony were a select group, as only around 600 people were invited to the actual wedding ceremony out of the 2,640 members of the public who were invited to witness the couple's arrival at Windsor Castle. This made the event a much smaller affair compared to the nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton, who had 1,900 guests at their ceremony.
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2,000 members of the public were invited to the grounds of the castle
The wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry was a grand affair, with 600 guests in attendance at St. George's Chapel, and over 2,000 others invited to the grounds of Windsor Castle. The couple extended their guest list beyond friends and family to include members of the public, in a heartwarming gesture.
The 2,000 members of the public invited to the castle grounds included a diverse group of individuals. 500 members were from the Royal Household, while 1,200 were inspiring citizens and young people chosen by Lord Lieutenants across the country. This presented an opportunity for individuals to represent their communities and celebrate the special occasion alongside the royal couple. In addition, 200 guests were from charity organisations that the couple supported, reflecting their commitment to philanthropic endeavours. The remaining 100 invites were reserved for local school children, adding a touch of youth and excitement to the event.
The decision to invite members of the public reflected Meghan and Harry's desire to include a broader community in their celebration. This stood in contrast to the more intimate ceremony and reception, which were limited to 600 guests, including close friends and family. The public invitations created a sense of inclusivity, allowing people from all walks of life to feel connected to the royal wedding.
The grounds of Windsor Castle provided a picturesque backdrop for the 2,000 guests to witness the newlyweds' exit from the chapel. It offered a unique experience, allowing members of the public to be part of the royal festivities, even if they were not among the select few invited to the ceremony itself. The public invitations added a touch of modernity and accessibility to the traditional royal wedding, marking a memorable chapter in the history of British royalty.
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200 guests were invited to the evening reception at Frogmore House
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a grand affair, with 600 guests in attendance at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. The intimate ceremony was a relatively small celebration compared to other royal weddings, with 1,900 guests invited to Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding, and 3,500 to Prince Charles and Diana's.
Following the ceremony, the newlyweds hosted two wedding receptions. The first, a luncheon at St. George's Hall, was attended by the 600 guests from the ceremony. The second reception, hosted by Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, was an evening event at Frogmore House, with 200 guests invited.
The guest list for the evening reception at Frogmore House included close friends of the couple, such as George and Amal Clooney, Serena Williams and her husband Alexis Ohanian, and James Corden and Julia Carey. Other notable guests included Meghan's close friend Priyanka Chopra, and David and Victoria Beckham.
The evening reception was a more exclusive gathering, with only 200 guests invited to celebrate the newlyweds. This smaller group of family and friends continued the festivities at Frogmore House, capping off the grand royal wedding celebrations.
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The Queen and Prince Philip were invited
The Queen and Prince Philip arrived just before Meghan, in keeping with royal protocol, which dictates that the most senior member of the royal family arrives last. The Queen, known for her vibrant wardrobe choices, wore a bright green outfit, standing out from the crowd. She was seated in her favourite spot, with an empty seat in front of her, as per royal protocol, ensuring an unobstructed view of the ceremony.
The Queen and Prince Philip were not only invited to the wedding ceremony but also hosted the first of two wedding receptions. They welcomed the 600 guests to a luncheon in St. George's Hall, celebrating the newlyweds. The second reception, hosted by Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, took place later in the day at Frogmore House and was a more intimate gathering of 200 guests.
The Queen and Prince Philip's presence at the wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry was a significant part of the day. Their attendance, along with other members of the royal family, added a sense of grandeur and tradition to the occasion.
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Notable names on the guest list included Oprah Winfrey, Idris Elba, and George and Amal Clooney
The wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry was a star-studded affair, with a host of notable names in attendance. The guest list included some of the biggest celebrities in the world, including Oprah Winfrey, Idris Elba, and George and Amal Clooney.
Oprah Winfrey, the American talk show host, arrived at the ceremony with British actor Idris Elba and his fiancée, Sabrina Dhowre. Winfrey wore a custom Stella McCartney dress, which was made overnight after she realised her original outfit was too white. Elba reportedly received an invitation from Prince Charles, as a thank you for his work with The Prince's Trust, a charity established by the Prince of Wales to support disadvantaged young people.
George and Amal Clooney were also in attendance at the wedding. George Clooney, the American actor, and his wife, Amal, a human rights lawyer, were invited due to their close friendship with Meghan Markle. The Clooneys' English countryside home is just a 30-minute drive from the wedding venue, making their commute one of the easiest among the celebrity guests.
Other famous names on the guest list included David and Victoria Beckham, James Blunt and his wife Sofia Wellesley, Priyanka Chopra, James Corden and his wife Julia Carey, Serena Williams and her husband Alexis Ohanian, Elton John, and Tom Hardy with his wife Charlotte Riley.
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Frequently asked questions
Around 600 people were invited to Meghan Markle's wedding to Prince Harry.
St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, where the wedding took place, has room for 800 guests.
600 guests were invited to the lunchtime reception hosted by the Queen at St. George's Hall.
200 people were invited to the evening reception hosted by Prince Charles at Frogmore House.
Yes, 2,000 members of the public were invited to the grounds of the castle to watch the arrivals of Harry and Meghan.