Prince Harry's Wedding: Millions Spent

The royal wedding between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018 cost a staggering $42.8 million, with security alone costing $40.1 million. The wedding was paid for by three parties: the royal family, the government, and Meghan Markle herself. The royal family paid for the core aspects of the wedding, including the church service, music, flowers, decorations, and the reception. The government covered security and policing costs with taxpayer money, and Markle was expected to pay for her wedding dress.

Security cost $40 million

Security was the most expensive aspect of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding, costing $40 million out of the total $42.8 million estimated cost of the wedding. The security measures included snipers, undercover police, and a counter-UAV system. The cost of security was expected to be covered by taxpayers, while the royal family paid for the "core aspects of the wedding," including the church service, music, flowers, decorations, and the reception.

The high cost of security was due to the need to protect the betrothed couple, their guests, and the thousands of onlookers. The wedding took place in Windsor, which may have reduced the cost of security compared to a London venue. However, the increased terrorist threat in the UK also contributed to the high security costs.

The security costs for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding were significantly higher than those for the 2011 wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, which had a total security cost of $32 million. The higher cost for Harry and Meghan's wedding may be due to heightened threat levels in the UK at the time.

The security measures in place ensured the safety of everyone in attendance and contributed to the overall success of the event, which was watched by an estimated two billion people worldwide.

$30 million paid by taxpayers

The royal wedding between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle cost an estimated $45 million, with the most expensive part being security and police protection. The wedding, which took place in Windsor, England, was reportedly watched by two billion people across the world.

The majority of the bill, approximately $40 million, went towards security measures to keep the couple, their guests, and the thousands of onlookers safe. This included snipers, undercover police, and a counter-UAV system. The security costs were expected to be paid for largely by taxpayers, with the royal family announcing that it would pay for the "core aspects of the wedding," such as the church service, music, flowers, decorations, and the reception.

According to the Express, the wedding racked up a £32 million bill, with £30 million going towards security and £1.5 million spent by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. Other expenses included £232,810 for the PA system, £1,084,512 for the council for stewarding, crowd control barriers, big screens, waste disposal, and associated costs, and £128,714 for private contractors.

While the wedding incurred significant costs, it was also predicted to bring in money for the country's economy. The event was expected to inject approximately £80 million into the UK economy through tourism, PR value, retail, fashion, and merchandise.

$1.5 million spent by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on May 19, 2018, was a lavish affair, with a total cost of around £32 million. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's nuptials were reportedly watched by two billion people worldwide.

While the Royal Family paid for the personal aspects of the wedding, such as flowers and the reception, the majority of the hefty sum was covered by taxpayers. £30 million was spent on security alone, with an additional £1.5 million coming from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

This £1.5 million expenditure by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport covered various expenses related to the royal wedding. The breakdown of these costs reveals interesting insights into the logistics of managing such a high-profile event.

Firstly, £232,810 was allocated for the PA system used to communicate the proceedings inside St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle to the public gathered outside. Effective communication was crucial to ensure the safety and engagement of the large crowd.

Secondly, £1,084,512 was spent on the Windsor and Maidenhead council for "stewarding, crowd control barriers, big screens, waste disposal, barriers and associated costs." This expenditure ensured the smooth management of the massive crowd and maintained a safe and orderly environment for the royal wedding.

In addition, £128,714 was paid to private contractors, covering specialised services required for the event. £3,875 was spent on staff travel and expenses, ensuring that all personnel involved in the wedding were accommodated.

Furthermore, £2,907 was dedicated to accreditation passes, facilitating the identification and access control of staff and authorised individuals. £14,081 was allocated for flags and banners, adding to the festive atmosphere and royal decorum of the occasion.

The £1.5 million spent by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport contributed to the overall cost of the royal wedding, which, despite being a significant expense, was predicted to inject approximately £80 million into the country's economy. The wedding attracted international attention and boosted tourism, retail, and fashion spending in the UK.

$440,000 spent on Meghan's dress

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in 2018 was a star-studded affair, with a price tag to match. The event reportedly cost an estimated $45 million, with the majority spent on security. While the exact price of Meghan's dress remains unconfirmed, it is estimated to have cost $440,000.

The bride's bespoke dress was designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller, the artistic director of the fashion house Givenchy. The silk dress featured three-quarter-length sleeves, an open bateau neckline, and a train with a built-in triple silk organza underskirt. The dress was made in Paris by a small team of ateliers, with only five months to manufacture it.

Waight Keller worked closely with Meghan to design the dress, which epitomised a "timeless minimal elegance". The designer reflected on the experience, saying: "It was a dream day accompanying stunning #meghanmarkle on her journey to become the Duchess of Sussex in @givenchyofficial."

The dress was highly anticipated, with much speculation about the designer and style in the months leading up to the wedding. Betting sites saw a frenzy of activity, with names like Erdem, Ralph & Russo, and Alexander McQueen thrown around as potential contenders. Ultimately, Waight Keller's elegant and simple design won out, surprising the world and setting trends for years to come.

The veil, also designed by Waight Keller, was just as intricate and meaningful as the dress. It was 16.5 feet long and hand-embroidered with flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, as well as Meghan's home state of California and her favourite flower, wintersweet, which grows at Kensington Palace. The veil took longer to create than the dress and the embroiderers spent 500 hours completing it, washing their hands every 30 minutes to ensure its immaculate state.

$420,000 spent on a glass marquee

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a grand affair, with a reported cost of $45 million. While the royal family paid for the core aspects of the wedding, such as the church service, music, flowers, decorations, and the reception, there were other expenses that contributed to the overall cost. One notable expense was the glass marquee for the reception, which is estimated to have cost around $400,000.

The glass marquee, or luxury orangery, as it is sometimes called, was a significant feature of the wedding. With the ceremony and reception taking place at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, the marquee provided a stunning setting for the celebrations. The structure was reportedly shipped from Belgium and was large enough to accommodate the hundreds of guests in attendance.

The cost of the glass marquee is a drop in the ocean compared to the overall wedding budget. The security costs alone are estimated to have been between £2 million and £4 million, with the majority of the £32 million bill going towards keeping the royal family, guests, and the public safe. This included measures such as rooftop snipers, undercover police, and a counter-UAV system to deactivate intruder drones.

In addition to security, other expenses included catering, drinks, floristry, photography, videography, and entertainment. The wedding cake alone is estimated to have cost £4,000, and that's before we even consider the cost of Meghan's wedding dress, which is rumoured to have been in the region of £300,000.

So, while the $420,000 spent on the glass marquee may seem like a significant expense, it is just one part of what made the royal wedding such a memorable and extravagant event.

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