Deborah Chan
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took place at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on Saturday, 19 May 2018, at midday local time. The ceremony was conducted by the Rt Rev David Connor, the Dean of Windsor, while the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, officiated as the couple said their vows. The address was given by the Most Rev Michael Curry, the first black presiding bishop of the Episcopal church in the US. The couple arrived at the chapel by car and, after the ceremony, took to an open-topped, horse-drawn carriage for a procession around Windsor town centre.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | Friday, 29 April 2011 |
| Time | 11:00 BST |
| Location | Westminster Abbey, London, England |
| Bride | Catherine Middleton |
| Groom | Prince William |
| Bride's Attire | Ivy and lily-of-the-valley hair wreath |
| Groom's Attire | Uniform with red and gold detail |
| Officiant | Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Best Man | Prince Harry |
| Maid of Honour | Pippa Middleton |
| Guests | Royal family members, foreign royalty, diplomats, personal guests |
| Photographer | Alexi Lubomirski |
| Broadcast | Televised, streamed online, and broadcast on radio in over 180 countries |
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What You'll Learn
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding date and location
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took place on Saturday, 19 May 2018. The ceremony was held at St. George's Chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle, the Queen's weekend home. The chapel has been the site of numerous royal weddings, including those of Queen Victoria's children.
The day began with Meghan and her mother, Doria Ragland, travelling to Windsor by car, possibly the same 1978 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI that Kate Middleton used on her wedding day. The wedding itself took place in a chapel that dates back to 1475 and has seen its fair share of royal baptisms, marriages, and deaths. Prince Harry was christened there at three months old in 1984.
The service was conducted by the Rt Rev David Conner, the Dean of Windsor, while the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, officiated as the couple said their vows. The address was given by the Most Rev Michael Curry, the first black presiding bishop of the Episcopal church in the US.
After the ceremony, Harry and Meghan took an open-topped, horse-drawn carriage—an Ascot landau—for a procession around Windsor town centre. The route took them from St George's Chapel, down Castle Hill, onto High Street, through the town to Sheet Street, Kings Road, Albert Road, and then along the Long Walk back to the gates of Windsor Castle. Big screens and food stalls were installed along the route, particularly on the Long Walk, for those choosing to watch the procession.
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Arrival of the bride
The arrival of the bride is one of the most highly anticipated moments of a royal wedding. The bride's procession typically enters the chapel after the guests have been seated and just before the ceremony is set to begin.
For the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, the bride arrived at Westminster Abbey by car, rather than by carriage, which is the traditional transport for royal brides. Thousands of people lined the route to catch a glimpse of the bride, with some even climbing into trees to get a better view. Catherine's procession was followed by a flock of bridesmaids wearing dresses designed by the Queen.
In the case of Meghan Markle, there was much speculation about her wedding dress designer, but the details were kept under wraps until her arrival at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. Meghan and her mother, Doria, travelled to Windsor by car, possibly the same 1978 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI that Kate Middleton used on her wedding day.
The arrival of the bride is a significant moment in a royal wedding, often attracting large crowds eager to catch a glimpse of the bride and her dress. The bride's entrance sets the tone for the ceremony and is a highly anticipated aspect of the royal nuptials.
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Wedding ceremony
The wedding ceremony of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry took place on Saturday, 19 May 2018, at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, at midday local time. The Dean of Windsor, David Connor, conducted the service, while the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, officiated as the couple said their vows.
The day began early for the most enthusiastic spectators, who gathered in the historic town centre from the morning to witness the couple's procession after the ceremony. The ceremony itself was attended by 600 invited guests, including members of the royal family and Meghan's family. The congregation also included young people, charity workers, community organisers, local schoolchildren, and employees of the royal family.
The bride, Meghan Markle, was accompanied up the aisle by Prince Charles, after her father, Thomas Markle Sr., was unable to attend due to ill health. Her mother, Doria Ragland, was also in attendance. The designer of Meghan's wedding dress was kept a closely guarded secret before the big day.
The groom, Prince Harry, wore a military uniform, reflecting his role as Captain General of the Royal Marines. He was joined by his best man, his brother, the Duke of Cambridge. The couple exchanged vows in a chapel dating back to 1475, which has been the site of many royal baptisms, marriages, and deaths. Prince Harry himself was christened there in 1984.
Following the ceremony, the newlyweds, now the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, took a horse-drawn carriage procession through Windsor town centre, passing through iconic locations such as High Street, Sheet Street, Kings Road, Albert Road, and the Long Walk, concluding at the gates of Windsor Castle.
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Wedding procession
The wedding procession of Prince William and Catherine Middleton began with the arrival of William and his party, which included his brother and best man, Prince Harry. They travelled by car from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey, passing landmarks such as Clarence House, Horse Guards Parade, and Parliament Square. The roads along the processional route were closed to traffic early in the morning to facilitate their journey.
Catherine Middleton's procession also began with a car journey to Westminster Abbey, accompanied by her family, including her sister and maid of honour, Pippa Middleton. Upon her arrival, Catherine was escorted down the aisle by her father, followed by a group of young bridesmaids and page boys, including Princess Charlotte and Prince George. The bridesmaids wore ivy and lily-of-the-valley hair wreaths and carried bouquets that mirrored Catherine's, with flowers like lily-of-the-valley, sweet William, and hyacinth. The page boys wore outfits styled after the Foot Guard officers from the Regency era, with red tunics, gold piping, and Irish shamrocks on the collars.
After the wedding ceremony, the newlywed couple, now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, returned along the same route by carriage, passing through Horse Guards Arch, Whitehall, and Broad Sanctuary, before making their traditional appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
In a more recent royal wedding, that of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the procession also included a horse-drawn carriage ride. After the ceremony, the couple rode through Windsor town centre in an open-topped Ascot landau carriage, pulled by Windsor Grey horses. The route took them from St. George's Chapel, down Castle Hill and High Street, through the town to Sheet Street and Kings Road, along Albert Road, and finally along the Long Walk back to the gates of Windsor Castle.
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Wedding reception
The wedding reception is a chance for the newlyweds to celebrate their marriage with their loved ones. For royal weddings, this means a guest list of hundreds, including foreign dignitaries, politicians, and celebrities. Prince William and Catherine Middleton's wedding reception, for example, was attended by 1,900 people. The reception is also an opportunity for the couple to add personal touches to the celebration. For instance, William and Kate's reception space was scented with Kate's favourite candles, and bowls of Haribo sweets were placed on the tables. The couple's first dance was to a performance by singer Ellie Goulding, who sang her hit "Starry Eyed" and covered Elton John's "Your Song".
The wedding reception also typically includes a meal. William and Kate's reception menu, created by their favourite chef Anton Mosimann, featured organically sourced Welsh crab and lamb from Highgrove, followed by a trio of miniature trifle, chocolate fondant, and homemade ice cream.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding reception at St George's Hall included approximately 600 guests, most of whom had a "direct relationship" with the couple. The guest list also included 200 of the couple's close friends, who were invited to an evening reception at Frogmore House. The reception at St George's Hall was followed by a more intimate dinner at Buckingham Palace, hosted by the then-Prince of Wales, Charles. Meghan changed into a second gown for the occasion—a strapless satin dress by Sarah Burton, with a cream cardigan.
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Frequently asked questions
The wedding starts at midday local time (7 a.m. ET, 4 a.m. PT).
Coverage of the wedding starts at 5 a.m. ET (2 a.m. PT).
The wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton started at 11:00 British Summer Time (BST).
