Franklin Dean
On 19 May 2018, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were married at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. The wedding ceremony began at 12 pm BST and was conducted by the Dean of Windsor, with the Archbishop of Canterbury officiating as the couple made their vows. The newlyweds then embarked on a carriage procession through Windsor town before returning to the castle for a lunchtime reception hosted by the Queen. The royal wedding was a highly anticipated event, with live coverage and broadcasts available worldwide across various channels and online platforms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, May 19, 2018 |
| Occasion | Royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle |
| Location | St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle |
| Time | 12 p.m. BST/UK time |
| Officiants | Dean of Windsor, Archbishop of Canterbury |
| No. of Guests | 600 |
| Live Coverage Start Time | 9 a.m. BST |
| Live Stream | Royal Family's Facebook Page, Royal family's YouTube channel |
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What You'll Learn
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding
On May 19, 2018, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle exchanged vows in a royal wedding that drew an estimated minimum of 2 billion viewers worldwide. The wedding, held at St. George's Chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle, was a historic event that differed from traditional royal weddings in several ways.
Firstly, Meghan, clad in a custom Givenchy gown, made the bold decision to walk down the aisle unescorted, a first for royal brides. She was joined halfway by Prince Charles, who escorted her to the Quire where the main royal guests were seated. This choice may have been due to a reported fallout with her father, Thomas Markle, who was initially supposed to walk her down the aisle.
Secondly, the couple chose to forego the usual fruit cake served at royal weddings and instead opted for a lemon elderflower cake topped with fresh buttercream and flowers, reflecting the bright flavours of spring. The cake, baked by East London baker Claire Ptak, was presented on separate stands rather than the traditional stacked tiers.
The ceremony was attended by notable celebrities, including Serena Williams, George Clooney, James Corden, and several of Meghan's "Suits" co-stars. The newlyweds shared their first kiss after exchanging vows, following the tradition set by Prince Charles and Princess Diana, and Prince William and Kate Middleton. They then rode in an open-top Ascot Landeau horse-drawn carriage through the streets of London, with thousands of well-wishers lining the streets to catch a glimpse of the happy couple.
The wedding was a fairytale affair, with a gospel choir and numerous unique touches. It marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who, in 2020, made the decision to step back from their royal duties and live their lives outside of the monarchy.
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Wedding timings in different time zones
Planning a wedding is an exciting but challenging task, and when different time zones are involved, it can get a little more complicated. It is essential to consider the time of your wedding ceremony and reception, especially if they are in separate time zones.
Firstly, decide on the time zone you want to use for your wedding. If your ceremony and reception venues are in different time zones, you may choose to use the time zone of the majority of your guests. Alternatively, you could opt for the time zone of the couple getting married.
Once you have decided on the time zone, clearly communicate this to your guests. You can do this by specifying the time zone on your wedding invitations or wedding website. It is also a good idea to spread the word through verbal communication to ensure everyone is aware.
For guests travelling from different time zones, it can be helpful to provide them with a detailed timeline of the day's events. This could include specific times for when they should arrive, as well as any traditions or rituals that will be taking place. A wedding timeline is also beneficial for the wedding party and vendors, as it keeps everyone informed and the day running smoothly.
- If your wedding is at 5 pm in the Central Time Zone, for guests in the Eastern Time Zone, it will be 6 pm, and for those in the Pacific Time Zone, it will be 3 pm.
- For a wedding at 12 pm BST in the UK, it will be 1 pm in Johannesburg (SAST), 8 pm in Tokyo and Seoul (JST and KST, respectively), and 9 pm in Sydney (AET).
Remember, when planning a wedding across time zones, clear and timely communication is essential to ensure your guests, vendors, and wedding party are all on the same page.
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Arrival of guests and the royal family
On the morning of Saturday, May 19, 2018, all eyes were on St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle as the world prepared to witness the union of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The day began early for the 1,200 members of the public who were invited to stand inside the grounds of Windsor Castle, arriving by 9:00 a.m. GMT to take their places.
At 9:30 a.m., the 600 guests invited to attend the ceremony inside St. George's Chapel started to arrive and take their seats for the highly anticipated event. The guests arrived by bus and entered through the chapel's South Door, with TV coverage capturing all the excitement and glamour of their arrival.
As the clock inched towards the ceremony, the royal family made their entrance at 11:25 a.m., arriving either by car or on foot and entering the chapel through the Galilee Porch. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, adhering to tradition, were the last to arrive before the bride, Meghan Markle, who was escorted by her father.
The arrival of the royal family was a significant moment, with members of the royal family also watching from the West Steps of the chapel as the newlyweds, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, embarked on their carriage procession through Windsor Town. The procession was a chance for the public and well-wishers to catch a glimpse of the happy couple before they returned to the castle for a lunchtime reception hosted by the Queen at St. George's Hall.
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The wedding procession
The Grand Entrance
The Bride's Turn
The bride's entrance is highly anticipated, and she is usually the last to make her grand reveal. She is escorted by her parents or chooses to walk down the aisle solo. In some cultures, like Hindu weddings, the bride walks to the mandap and exchanges garlands with the groom.
The Official Start
Once everyone is in place, the officiant, who may be a friend, family member, or ordained official, says a few words of welcome and thanks the guests for bearing witness to the union. The officiant may also arrive from the side to mark the beginning of the ceremony.
The Recessional
After the ceremony, the officiant pronounces the couple married and introduces them as such to the guests for the first time. The newlyweds then lead the recessional down the aisle, followed by the bride's and groom's parents and grandparents. The flower girls or ring bearers lead the rest of the wedding party out, and the rabbi or cantor completes the filing.
Cultural Variations
It is important to note that different cultural and religious weddings have unique processional orders. For example, Hindu and Jewish ceremonies include more family members, while Catholic processionals are typically more stringent. Hindu weddings are elaborate, multi-day events, and the groom's procession, or "baraat," involves him arriving on a ceremonial white horse escorted by friends and family, with live music and dancing.
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The wedding reception
For Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding, the reception will be a lunchtime event. The couple is expected to return to the castle after their carriage procession through the town, where they will join their guests for the reception. The reception will likely include a meal, drinks, and entertainment, although specific details of the royal couple's reception are not publicly available.
Typically, wedding receptions include a variety of traditions and rituals, such as the first dance, the cutting of the cake, and the bouquet toss. These traditions can be adapted or omitted to suit the couple's preferences and the style of the wedding. The reception is also an opportunity for guests to offer their congratulations and best wishes to the newlyweds.
The royal wedding reception is likely to be a grand affair, with elegant decorations, fine dining, and sophisticated entertainment. It is an opportunity for the royal couple to celebrate their marriage with their guests, including members of the royal family, foreign royalty, and other notable individuals. The reception will also be a time for the couple to express their gratitude to their guests for their attendance and well-wishes.
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Frequently asked questions
The wedding began at 12 p.m. BST on Saturday, May 19.
The wedding took place at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.
The wedding was aired on ITV Choice and Channel Nine.
Guests began arriving at 9.30 a.m. local time.
