The actual wedding time for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Saturday, May 19, 2018, was midday (UK time). The ceremony was held at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, and was officiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Dean of Windsor, David Conner, also conducted the service. The wedding broke from tradition by being held on a Saturday, as royal weddings typically take place on weekdays.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Date | Saturday, May 19, 2018 |
Time | Midday (UK time) |
Location | St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle |
Bride | Meghan Markle |
Groom | Prince Harry |
Officiants | Dean of Windsor, Archbishop of Canterbury |
Guests | 600 |
What You'll Learn
Ceremony start time: 12 pm UK time
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took place on Saturday, 19 May 2018, at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in the United Kingdom. The ceremony commenced at 12 pm UK time (BST).
The day began with Prince Harry being conferred the titles of Duke of Sussex, Earl of Dumbarton, and Baron Kilkeel by his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. Markle, meanwhile, became a princess of the United Kingdom, gaining the style of Her Royal Highness and the titles of Duchess of Sussex, Countess of Dumbarton, and Baroness Kilkeel.
The ceremony itself was officiated by Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and followed the standard Anglican church service for Holy Matrimony. The wedding was noted for its inclusion of African-American culture, with the American Bishop Michael Bruce Curry delivering a special sermon, quoting Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1957 "Love Your Enemies" speech.
The ceremony began at 12 pm UK time, with the main congregation and guests arriving at the chapel from 9.30 am. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were the last members of the Royal Family to depart for the ceremony, as is tradition, arriving at 11.52 am. Shortly after, Markle arrived, and she proceeded down the aisle, followed by junior attendants. She was met by the Prince of Wales, who escorted her through the quire of the chapel to the altar, where Prince Harry was standing.
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a significant event, with an estimated 1.9 billion people tuning in worldwide, making it one of the biggest televised events in history.
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Guests began arriving at 9:30 am
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took place on Saturday, 19 May 2018, at St George's Chapel, Windsor. The guests began arriving at 9:30 am. This included the main congregation and other guests, followed by members of the Royal Family.
The morning of the wedding, Prince Harry was conferred the titles of Duke of Sussex, Earl of Dumbarton and Baron Kilkeel by his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. Markle, meanwhile, became a princess of the United Kingdom and gained the style Her Royal Highness and titles Duchess of Sussex, Countess of Dumbarton and Baroness Kilkeel.
The wedding was a break with royal tradition, which typically sees weddings take place on weekdays. The ceremony also notably included elements of African-American culture. The couple's engagement had been announced on 27 November 2017, and they were betrothed just one year later.
The wedding venue, St George's Chapel, has a rich royal history. It is at least 500 years old and has served as the site of numerous royal weddings, including those of Queen Victoria's children. It is also the final resting place of several monarchs, including King George VI, the Queen Mother Elizabeth, and King Edward VII.
The guest list included several A-list celebrities, in addition to members of the British royal family. This included Serena Williams, Priyanka Chopra, and Meghan Markle's Suits co-stars. Prince Harry's ex-girlfriends, Cressida Bonas and Chelsy Davy, were also in attendance. The ceremony was conducted according to the Christian liturgy for Holy Matrimony as set out in Common Worship of the Church of England.
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The royal family arrived at 11:25 am
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, Harry's grandmother and grandfather, were the last to arrive, as is customary, and their presence added to the grandeur of the occasion. With the royal family in attendance, the stage was set for a memorable and historic wedding.
The ceremony, held at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, was a break from tradition as royal weddings typically occur on weekdays. The choice of a Saturday wedding made it easier for people worldwide to tune in and be a part of the celebrations.
The arrival of the royal family was a pivotal moment, with the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh joining other esteemed guests, including A-list celebrities and close friends of the couple. The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle united not only the couple but also brought together people from various walks of life, creating a diverse and memorable gathering.
As the clock struck 11:25 am, the royal family's arrival signaled that the long-awaited moment was almost upon us, and the world eagerly anticipated witnessing the union of Prince Harry and his bride, Meghan Markle.
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The carriage procession began at 1 pm
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took place on Saturday, 19 May 2018, at St George's Chapel, Windsor. The carriage procession began at 1 pm, UK time.
The timing of the procession was significant, as it marked the beginning of the newlyweds' journey as a married couple. It was also a chance for the public to catch a glimpse of the happy couple and offer their congratulations. The procession allowed for a festive atmosphere, with well-wishers lining the streets and cheering as the carriage passed by.
The carriage procession was also a logistical consideration, as it provided an opportunity to move the wedding party from the chapel to the reception venue. It ensured a smooth and timely transition between the ceremony and the celebrations that followed.
The timing of the procession was carefully planned to accommodate the various elements of the wedding day. It allowed for the ceremony to conclude and the guests to exit the chapel before the procession commenced. The procession also took into account the timing of the reception, ensuring that there was a seamless flow from one event to the next.
The 1 pm start time for the carriage procession was a well-coordinated aspect of the wedding day, taking into account both the celebratory and practical considerations of such a momentous occasion. It marked the beginning of a new chapter for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as they embarked on their life together as husband and wife.
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The Queen hosted a reception at St George's Hall
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took place on Saturday, May 19, 2018, at St George's Chapel, Windsor. The actual wedding time was at midday, and the ceremony was followed by two post-ceremony celebrations hosted by the Queen and Prince Charles.
The first reception was held at St George's Hall in Windsor Castle, a grand state room that has hosted many formal events and royal celebrations. The Queen often uses the space to host formal state dinners with world leaders. The room has a rich history, having been designed in the 1820s and later damaged by a fire in 1992. It was restored to its former glory, with some modern updates, and has since played host to numerous important events.
The Queen's reception at St George's Hall was a lunchtime gathering for 600 guests from the wedding congregation. Guests were served Pol Roger Champagne, canapés, and bowl food, including salmon, asparagus, and panna cotta with quail egg. There were speeches from Prince Charles and Prince Harry, and the best man, Prince William, served as compère. The cutting of the cake, a lemon and elderflower sponge, also took place during this reception.
The second reception was a more intimate, private evening event hosted by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall at Frogmore House, a royal residence in Windsor. This celebration was attended by around 200 guests and included a speech from the bride, Meghan Markle, and a naughty best man speech by Prince William. The dinner was prepared by royal chef Mark Flanagan and was a more formal affair, with at least three courses. The evening concluded with a fireworks display.
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Frequently asked questions
The wedding began at midday (UK time).
The wedding took place at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.
The Dean of Windsor conducted the service, and the Archbishop of Canterbury officiated as the couple made their vows.
The wedding was attended by 600 guests, including Serena Williams, Priyanka Chopra, Abigail Spencer, Gabriel Macht, Patrick J. Adams, Troian Bellisario, Cressida Bonas, Chelsea Davy, George and Amal Clooney, Carey Mulligan, Marcus Mumford, Victoria and David Beckham, Idris Elba, Elton John, and Oprah Winfrey.