Royal Wedding: Who Paid The Price?

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, now the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, was a grand affair. The royal wedding reportedly cost $45 million, with the majority of the sum going towards security. The royal family paid for the more personal aspects of the wedding, such as flowers and the reception, while the security costs were covered by taxpayers. The wedding included a star-studded guest list, a custom gown for the bride, and a lavish glass marquee for the reception. The event was watched by two billion people worldwide and was estimated to have brought in approximately £500 million to the British economy through tourism and spending sprees.

The wedding dress

Waight Keller stated that the dress sought to convey modernity through sleek lines and sharp cuts, while paying homage to the history of the Givenchy house. The dress was made in Paris by "a small team of ateliers" and was manufactured in just five months. Markle and Waight Keller worked closely together on the design, with the Duchess of Sussex opting for a dress that reflected her personal style.

The dress was estimated to cost £390,000, which is £140,000 more than Kate Middleton's wedding dress. The dress was also compared to the one worn by Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy at her wedding in 1996, as well as a Givenchy dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in the 1957 film *Funny Face*.

Flowers and decorations

The floral arrangements inside St. George's Chapel, where the wedding ceremony took place, were estimated to cost £110,000 (approximately $195,448 or £130,000, depending on the source). The flowers were not limited to the chapel, as the bride's bouquet and the floral decorations throughout the venue contributed to the overall cost.

In addition to the flowers, the decorations and production for the wedding were estimated to cost $183,000 (£130,000) according to Bridal website Bridebook. This included spectacular lighting and production between the church, Windsor Castle, and the wedding marquee. The total cost of decorations and production was estimated to be around $313,000 (£240,000), including other elements such as music and amenities.

Food and beverage

The food and beverage bill for Meghan and Harry's wedding is estimated to have been around £286,000, with the total cost of the wedding coming in at around £32 million. The royal family paid for the food and beverages, as well as the flowers and reception costs.

The wedding breakfast was hosted by the Queen at Windsor Castle and featured a lighter menu suitable for the warm weather. The menu was designed by Royal chef Mark Flanagan and included seasonal British produce, such as asparagus, peas, and tomatoes, sourced from the Queen's estates.

The menu consisted of sweet and savoury canapes, including:

• Scottish langoustines wrapped in smoked salmon with citrus crème fraiche
• Grilled English asparagus wrapped in Cumbrian ham
• Garden pea panna cotta with quail eggs and lemon verbena
• Heritage tomato and basil tartare with balsamic pearls
• Poached free-range chicken bound in a lightly spiced yoghurt with roasted apricot
• Croquette of confit Windsor lamb, roasted vegetables and shallot jam
• Warm asparagus spears with mozzarella and sun-blush tomatoes

This was followed by a selection of bowl food, including:

• Fricassee of free-range chicken with morel mushrooms and young leeks
• Pea and mint risotto with pea shoots, truffle oil and parmesan crisps
• Ten-hour slow-roasted Windsor pork belly with apple compote and crackling

To finish, guests were served sweet canapes, including:

• Champagne and pistachio macaroons
• Orange crème brûlée tartlets
• Miniature rhubarb crumble tartlets

These were served alongside the wedding cake, a lemon and elderflower cake designed by Claire Ptak of Violet Cakes, and drinks, including Pol Roger Brut Réserve Champagne, a selection of wines, and an apple elderflower mocktail.

In the evening, a seated three-course meal was served, likely featuring more formal fare.

Security

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who was the first person of mixed-race heritage to marry into the British royal family, was one of Thames Valley Police's largest-ever security operations. It required reinforcements from other forces, including the Metropolitan Police. The operation included rooftop snipers, undercover police in the streets, a counter-UAV system (to deactivate intruder and paparazzi drones), and a "drone destroyer".

The groom's role in the military also influenced the need for security at the wedding. "Harry is a particularly vulnerable target thanks to his time serving in the armed forces," said E!'s royal expert Melanie Bromley. The Independent also pointed out that there were heightened threat levels in the U.K. at the time, following a spate of attacks.

Entertainment

The wedding ceremony itself featured a mix of traditional and contemporary music. Two choirs, an orchestra, the chapel organ, and fanfare trumpeters provided music for the service. The orchestra was made up of musicians from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the English Chamber Orchestra, and the Philharmonia Orchestra. The Choir of St George's Chapel was joined by the Kingdom Choir, a gospel group that sang "Stand By Me" during the ceremony. The State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry included Kate Sandford, the first female state trumpeter at a British royal wedding. The music was directed by James Vivian, the chapel's Organist and Director of Music, while the orchestra was conducted by Christopher Warren-Green.

In addition to the live music, the wedding also featured a number of notable guest performers. Singer Elton John performed for the guests at the first reception, which was hosted by the Queen. At the second, more intimate reception hosted by the Prince of Wales, DJ Idris Elba and The Atlantic Soul Orchestra provided the entertainment. Elba notably played "Still D.R.E." at Meghan's request, and his setlist also included Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance with Somebody".

The wedding celebrations also included a fireworks display above Frogmore House, where the second reception was held.

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