Royal Wedding: Who Paid The Price?

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in 2018 was a star-studded affair, with guests including Oprah Winfrey, Elton John, the Beckhams, and George and Amal Clooney. The wedding itself cost an estimated £32 million, with the majority of the sum spent on security. The royal wedding cost £8 million more than Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding in 2011, with the increase due to a higher terrorist threat.

Security cost £30 million

Security was the most expensive factor in the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, costing £30 million, according to some sources. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's wedding racked up a £32 million bill, with the majority of the sum paid by taxpayers. The security costs were so high due to the heightened threat levels in the UK at the time, as well as the risk arising from Prince Harry's link to the British military.

The wedding was a massive security operation, with thousands of members of the public invited into the grounds of Windsor Castle, and about 100,000 spectators estimated to have gathered in the town. Safety protocols likely included rooftop snipers, undercover police officers, a counter-UAV system, and a "drone destroyer".

The security costs for the wedding were initially rumoured to be £30 million, but Police Commissioner Anthony Stansfeld later stated that the final bill was "between £2 million and £4 million". The policing minister, Nick Hurd, confirmed that no application for funding had been received, as the cost was mostly in the form of cancelled leave for officers, which would be taken at other times.

The Royal Family paid for the more personal aspects of the wedding, such as flowers and the reception.

Meghan's dress cost £390,000

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a grand affair, with the total cost of the ceremony estimated at a staggering £32 million. While the majority of the budget was allocated to security, one of the most talked-about aspects of the wedding was Meghan's dress, which reportedly cost £390,000.

The dress, designed by British fashion designer Clare Waight Keller, the artistic director of the fashion house Givenchy, was a bespoke creation. Meghan chose Waight Keller for her elegant aesthetic and relaxed demeanour, and the two worked closely together to design the dress, which showcases a timeless minimal elegance. The dress was made of silk with three-quarter-length sleeves, an open boat neckline, and a train with a built-in triple silk organza underskirt.

The creation of the dress was a collaborative process, with Meghan and Waight Keller meeting for eight fittings over five months. The dress was made in Paris by a small team of ateliers, and only a few people knew about it before the big reveal on the wedding day. The designer helped develop a double-bonded silk cady for the construction of the dress, which featured only six seams, showcasing the expert craftsmanship of the Givenchy couture atelier.

The veil, which was 5 metres long and 3 metres wide, took longer to create than the dress itself. It was hand-embroidered with a variety of flowers, including the California poppy, in honour of Markle's home state, and wintersweet, a flower that grows at Kensington Palace. The veil also featured symbolic sprays of wheat and flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, reflecting the couple's interest in the work of the Commonwealth.

The dress and veil were exhibited by the Royal Collection Trust at Windsor Castle from October 2018 until February 2019 and then at Holyrood Palace from June 2019 to October 2019. The exhibition provided an opportunity for the public to admire the intricate details and elegant design of Meghan's wedding ensemble, which has become one of the most celebrated royal fashion moments in history.

The reception marquee cost $600,000

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a grand affair, with an estimated cost of $45 million. While the biggest chunk of the budget went towards security, ensuring the safety of the celebrants, guests, and the public, other expenses also contributed to the overall cost. One notable expense was the reception marquee, which cost a staggering $600,000.

The reception marquee was a custom-built glass structure, rumoured to have been designed specifically for the royal wedding. It was erected at Frogmore House, a seventeenth-century residence tucked inside 33 acres of Windsor Castle's private grounds. The venue held significant meaning for the couple, as it was where they had picnicked when they first started dating.

The marquee provided a stunning setting for the evening reception, hosted by Prince Charles, the father of the groom. The event was a more intimate gathering compared to the daytime celebration, with around 200 guests in attendance. The guest list included close friends and family, as well as notable celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Elton John, and George Clooney.

The reception was a lavish affair, with a "spring meets summer" theme. Guests were treated to a menu created by royal chef Mark Flanagan, featuring seasonal ingredients sourced from the Queen's estates. The food was elegantly presented as canapés and bowl food, with a focus on classic dishes rather than experimental cuisine.

The reception also featured entertainment, including a fireworks display and music selected by the couple. Guests danced the night away to Harry's favourite house music, spun by DJ Sam Totolee. The newlyweds' first dance was a heartfelt moment, as they swayed to "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" by Whitney Houston, Meghan's "happy song".

Flowers cost $150,000

Flowers at a wedding are always a big deal, but when it comes to a royal wedding, they are an even bigger deal. The flowers at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding cost a staggering $150,000. This amount covered the cost of elaborate floral displays, including flowers to adorn St. George's Chapel, the outdoor marquee, all the bouquets for the bridesmaids, and of course, the bridal bouquet.

The royal wedding, which took place on May 19, 2018, at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, was a star-studded affair with guests like Oprah Winfrey, Elton John, and George and Amal Clooney in attendance. The total cost of the wedding was estimated to be around $45 million, with the majority of the funds going towards security.

While the flowers were certainly a significant expense, they were just one part of the overall wedding budget. Other costs included $500,000 for a tent to keep paparazzi out and ensure the privacy of the guests, $186,000 for site preparation, $24,000 for photography and videography, and $71,600 for the wedding cake.

The royal family paid for the core aspects of the wedding, including the flowers, with the exception of security, which was covered by taxpayers. The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was not only a beautiful celebration but also a boost to the country's economy, with an estimated injection of £80 million.

Cake cost $70,000

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018 was a spectacular affair, with a price tag to match. While the total cost of the wedding is estimated to be around $45 million, one of the most talked-about expenses was the wedding cake, which reportedly cost a staggering $70,000.

The cake, created by London-based baker Claire Ptak, was a stunning departure from traditional royal wedding cakes. Instead of the usual fruit cake, Ptak crafted a light and refreshing lemon and elderflower confection. The recipe included 200 Amalfi lemons, 500 organic eggs, 10 bottles of elderflower cordial from the Queen's Sandringham estate, 44 pounds each of butter, flour, and sugar, and a swiss meringue buttercream frosting. The cake was decorated with 150 fresh flowers, including British peonies and roses, and displayed on ornate gold stands from the royal family's collection.

The process of creating this masterpiece took five days and required six bakers working in the kitchen at Buckingham Palace. The cake consisted of two single-tiered cakes and one two-tiered cake, with a total cost of over $62,000 for the ingredients and assembly. Each slice of the cake is estimated to be worth about $100.

The choice of flavour and design reflected the couple's desire to put their own unique stamp on their wedding day. The spring-inspired cake, with its light and floral flavours, was a perfect choice for the season and a delightful surprise for their guests.

The cost of the wedding cake is a testament to the couple's commitment to quality and their support for local and organic ingredients. It is also a reflection of the high standards and attention to detail that go into planning a royal wedding, ensuring that every aspect, from the food to the decorations, is nothing short of extraordinary.

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