Harry And Meghan's Westminster Wedding

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took place on Saturday 19 May 2018, but not at Westminster Abbey, as many might have expected, but at St George's Chapel, Windsor. The couple's decision to opt for a more intimate venue was influenced by a desire for a low-key event, as well as the chapel's beauty and historical significance. With a capacity of 800, St George's Chapel allowed for a more private affair compared to the grand Westminster Abbey, which can accommodate 2,000 guests. The choice also avoided potential disruptions to Londoners, as the wedding procession and traditional moments could take place within the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Harry and Meghan's wedding venue

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding venue was St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. The venue, which is considered one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in England, was chosen for its beauty, history, and intimacy. With a capacity of 800 people, it allowed the couple to have a more low-key and intimate event compared to Westminster Abbey, which can accommodate 2,000 guests.

The decision to choose St. George's Chapel was intentional, as Harry and Meghan wanted their wedding day to be about their love, surrounded by history in a place that held a special connection to Prince Harry. The chapel, dating back to the 1300s, has been the venue for several royal weddings and is the final resting place for notable monarchs like King Henry VIII, Jane Seymour, Princess Margaret, and the Queen Mother.

The venue also offered logistical advantages, as having the wedding on the grounds of Windsor Castle meant that the wedding procession and other traditional moments could take place in one space, reducing traffic disruptions in London.

St. George's Chapel holds a significant place in Prince Harry's life, as he was baptised there in 1984, and it served as a venue for his father's second marriage blessing in 2005. The choice of the chapel reflected the couple's desire for a venue steeped in history and intimacy while still maintaining the grandeur befitting a royal wedding.

The wedding at St. George's Chapel on May 19, 2018, marked a departure from tradition, showcasing the couple's unique personalities and preferences. The day was not only about their union but also about creating a memorable experience in a setting that held personal significance for Prince Harry.

Overall, the selection of St. George's Chapel as the wedding venue by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reflected their desire for a more intimate celebration, rich in history and personal meaning, while still maintaining the grandeur and tradition expected of a royal wedding.

The ceremony

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was held on Saturday 19 May 2018 in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. The ceremony was officiated by Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, using the standard Anglican church service for Holy Matrimony.

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 the titles Duchess of Sussex, Countess of Dumbarton and Baroness Kilkeel.

The marriage vows were those published in Common Worship and included the promise "to love and to cherish" each other. This was sealed by the exchange of rings. After the signing of the registers, Harry and Meghan sang the national anthem with the guests. The couple paused to bow and curtsey to the Queen before walking down the aisle and sharing a kiss on the steps outside the chapel.

Hymns sung at the wedding included "Lord of All Hopefulness" and "Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer", the latter of which was a favourite of Harry's mother, Princess Diana, and was sung at her funeral. Two choirs, an orchestra, the chapel organ, and fanfare trumpeters provided music for the service. The bride walked down the aisle to "Eternal source of light divine" (from Handel's Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne). Other music during the service included the motet "If Ye Love Me" by Thomas Tallis, "Stand by Me" by Ben E. King, arranged for choir by Mark Delisser, and "The Lord bless you and keep you" by John Rutter.

Meghan's previous marriage

Meghan Markle, now the Duchess of Sussex, was previously married to American film producer Trevor Engelson. The pair began dating in 2004 and were married in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, in 2011. However, they separated in July 2013 and finalised a no-fault divorce in February 2014, citing irreconcilable differences.

Markle's subsequent live-in relationship with Canadian celebrity chef and restaurateur Cory Vitiello ended in May 2016, and she began a relationship with Prince Harry in mid-2016.

Markle and Prince Harry's wedding was held on 19 May 2018 at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, rather than at Westminster Abbey like the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. The ceremony was a more intimate affair, with a capacity of 800 people compared to the 2000 of Westminster Abbey. The couple chose the smaller venue as a signal that they were "not going to be full-on attention-seeking royals".

Markle's wedding dress was designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller under the fashion house Givenchy. It 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. The silk veil was 16 feet long and was embroidered with 55 flowers, representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, as well as Wintersweet and the California Poppy.

The guest list

Relatives of the Groom

Relatives of the Bride

The bride's mother, Doria Ragland, was also in attendance.

Members of Reigning and Non-Reigning Royal Families

Notable members of reigning and non-reigning royal families were also present. This included Prince Seeiso and Princess Mabereng Seeiso of Lesotho, the Hereditary Prince and Princess of Oettingen-Spielberg, and various dukes, duchesses, princes, and princesses from the United Kingdom and beyond.

Friends of the Couple

Celebrities

The wedding also boasted a number of celebrities, including George and Amal Clooney, Serena Williams and her husband Alexis Ohanian, David and Victoria Beckham, Idris Elba and his fiancée Sabrina Dhowre, and Oprah Winfrey.

The wedding's economic impact

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was held on Saturday, May 19, 2018, at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in the United Kingdom. The wedding was not at Westminster Abbey, unlike the marriage of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, which was a larger and more public affair.

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was expected to have a significant economic impact, particularly on the British economy. The royal wedding was predicted to generate up to £500 million for the economy, and later estimates placed the figure at £1 billion. Here is a breakdown of the potential economic impact:

• Tourism: The wedding attracted global attention, especially in the UK, the USA, and the Commonwealth. The tourism industry was forecast to benefit by around £300 million in additional travel and accommodation spend, with an expected increase in inbound tourism to London and Windsor.
• PR Value: The media coverage leading up to the wedding and on the day itself was estimated to have a PR value of at least £300 million. This includes the value of earned media coverage for Brand Britain and the advertising value equivalency of television broadcasts and online/print coverage worldwide.
• Retail and Restaurants: The wedding was expected to boost sales in the retail and hospitality sectors. People celebrating the royal nuptials through parties, food, and drinks were projected to spend approximately £250 million.
• Merchandise: Sales of wedding-related merchandise, such as commemorative coins, stamps, mugs, clothing, and accessories, were expected to exceed £50 million.
• Fashion: The "Meghan Effect" refers to the impact of Meghan Markle's fashion choices on consumer behaviour. Her influence as a fashion leader was estimated to generate £150 million in increased clothing sales, creating export opportunities for British brands.

The total economic impact of the wedding was estimated to be over £1 billion, spread across various industry sectors. The royal wedding attracted worldwide attention and was expected to have a positive economic impact, particularly in the UK.

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