Harry And Meghan's Post-Wedding Plans And Ambitions

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding captivated the world, with an estimated 1.9 billion viewers tuning in to watch the ceremony. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's post-wedding plans included a return to their home in Kensington Palace, London, and attendance at a birthday garden party for Prince Charles on May 22, their first public appearance as a married couple. The couple delayed their honeymoon to attend these engagements, and their destination was kept private, although the press speculated that they would travel to East Africa. Meghan, now a princess of the United Kingdom, jumped into her royal duties and philanthropy work, while Harry continued his involvement with various charities. In 2020, the couple decided to step down from their official royal duties and moved permanently to California, pursuing separate projects and launching their own careers.

Meghan's royal title

On their wedding day in 2018, Queen Elizabeth II bestowed upon Meghan Markle and Prince Harry the titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Meghan also became a princess of the United Kingdom and was entitled to the style of Her Royal Highness. In addition, she holds the titles of Countess of Dumbarton and Baroness Kilkeel. She is the first person to hold the title of Duchess of Sussex.

In 2020, the couple stepped down as working royals and moved to Meghan's native Southern California. They kept their Duke and Duchess titles but agreed not to use the style of His/Her Royal Highness (HRH) in practice. They are still referred to as "His/Her Royal Highness" in legal settings.

Meghan's use of her royal title caused some controversy in February 2022 when she voiced her support for the Supreme Court nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson and federal voting protections. She also publicly supported Moms Demand Action, an organisation that campaigns for safer gun laws in the US. Republican representatives criticised her interference with American politics while using her British royal title.

In May 2024, during a trip to Nigeria, Meghan was bestowed with the chieftaincy titles of Ada Mazi ('the daughter of the Igbo ancestral palace') and Adetokunbo ('royalty from across the seas').

Honeymoon destination

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tied the knot on 19 May 2018 at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in a star-studded ceremony that became the most-watched royal wedding in the world. The newlyweds, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, returned to their home in Kensington Palace, London, instead of going on a honeymoon immediately after their wedding. They attended a birthday garden party on 22 May for Prince Charles, Harry's father, as their first public outing as a married couple.

The couple delayed their honeymoon and made their first public appearance together. They then went on their honeymoon a week after their wedding. The destination was kept private, but the press speculated that they would travel to East Africa, as they had for their third date.

East Africa is a diverse and captivating region, offering a range of experiences for honeymooners. From breathtaking natural landscapes to rich cultural heritage, it is a perfect destination for a romantic and memorable getaway. Here are some possible locations in East Africa that the royal couple could have considered for their honeymoon:

• The Serengeti National Park, Tanzania: Known for its vast expanse of pristine savanna and an abundance of wildlife, including the Great Migration, when millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles move across the plains in search of fresh grazing.
• The Maasai Mara, Kenya: Famed for its annual wildebeest migration and lush, rolling hills, the Maasai Mara offers a unique blend of wildlife viewing and cultural immersion with the local Maasai communities.
• Victoria Falls, Zambia, and Zimbabwe: One of the world's most magnificent waterfalls, Victoria Falls, offers a breathtaking backdrop for a romantic escape. With its misty rainbows and thundering waters, it provides a dramatic and memorable setting.
• Seychelles: Located in the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles is known for its pristine white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush greenery. It offers a combination of luxury and seclusion, making it an ideal choice for a private and relaxing honeymoon.

These destinations in East Africa provide a mix of natural beauty, cultural experiences, and secluded getaways, making them ideal choices for a royal honeymoon. The press speculated about their trip to East Africa, but the actual location remains unknown, as the couple valued their privacy and chose to keep the details of their honeymoon confidential.

First public appearance

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tied the knot on 19 May 2018 at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in a star-studded ceremony that became the most-watched royal wedding in the world. An estimated 1.9 billion people tuned in to watch the ceremony, making it one of the biggest televised events in history.

The newlyweds' first public appearance was on 22 May 2018, three days after their wedding, at a birthday garden party for Prince Charles, Harry's father. The 70th Birthday Patronage Celebration took place in the gardens of Buckingham Palace and honoured the patronages, military affiliations, and charities supported by the Prince of Wales.

Following their wedding, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex returned to their home in Kensington Palace, London, instead of going on a honeymoon immediately. They delayed their honeymoon by a week to attend various private engagements, including the birthday celebration for Prince Charles. The couple's honeymoon destination was kept private, but the press speculated that they would travel to East Africa, as they had for their third date.

As a married couple, Harry and Meghan jumped into their royal duties and philanthropy work. They also continued to pursue their own careers and projects. Harry focused on humanitarian work, while Meghan developed her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard. They also welcomed their first child, Archie, and moved permanently to California.

In 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex decided to step down from their official royal duties and live their lives outside the monarchy. This decision shocked people worldwide and marked a break with royal tradition. They planned to balance their time between the United Kingdom and North America while continuing to honour their duties to the Queen and the Commonwealth.

Royal duties and philanthropy

Immediately after their wedding, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, returned to their home in Kensington Palace, London. They attended a birthday garden party on 22 May for Prince Charles, Harry's father, as their first public outing following the wedding. The 70th Birthday Patronage Celebration took place in the Buckingham Palace gardens, honouring the patronages, military affiliations, and charities that the Prince of Wales supports.

Markle, who had a history of activism and charity commitments to organisations including One Young World, World Vision, and UN Women, jumped into official royal duties and philanthropy work. Prince Harry was also involved with several charities, including the Invictus Games, supporting veterans, and the Heads Together mental health campaign.

In 2020, the couple decided to step down from their official royal duties and live outside the monarchy. They moved to California and have since focused on their own careers and projects, including Meghan's award-winning podcast, Archetypes, and Harry's memoir, Spare. They have also launched a new charitable entity as part of their plans to continue honouring their duty to the Queen and the Commonwealth.

Their first home

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's first home as a married couple was their home in Kensington Palace, London. The couple returned to their residence after their widely-watched royal wedding in Windsor on 19 May 2018.

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a grand affair, with an estimated 1.9 billion viewers tuning in to watch the ceremony, making it one of the biggest televised events in history. The couple exchanged vows at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, with the bride's bouquet containing forget-me-nots, in honour of Harry's late mother, Princess Diana.

Following the wedding, the newly minted Duke and Duchess of Sussex, returned to their home in Kensington Palace, London. The couple's residence at Kensington Palace was also where Prince Harry plucked flowers, including sprigs of myrtle, for the bridal bouquet. The couple's first public appearance after their wedding was at a birthday garden party on 22 May for Prince Charles, Harry's father.

In the lead-up to their wedding, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were involved in various aspects of the planning process. They had a say in the menu, cake, wine, seating plan, and table names. They also chose the music and bands, with Meghan personally requesting a performance from a 19-year-old cellist, Sheku Kanneh-Mason.

After their wedding, the couple delayed their honeymoon for a week to attend various private engagements, including Prince Charles' 70th Birthday Patronage celebration at Buckingham Palace. Their honeymoon destination was kept private, but it was speculated that they might travel to East Africa, a place they had visited on their third date.

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