The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took place in the early hours of Saturday, May 19, 2018, Arizona time. The ceremony began at 4 am AZ time (7 am EST) at St George's Chapel in Windsor, with festivities starting at 2 am AZ time (5 am EST). The couple's engagement was announced on November 27, 2017, and the wedding was on a Saturday, breaking with royal tradition.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Date | Saturday, May 19, 2018 |
Time in Arizona | 2 a.m. (festivities start), 4 a.m. (ceremony begins) |
Time in EST | 5 a.m. (festivities start), 7 a.m. (ceremony begins) |
Time in GMT | 12 p.m. (ceremony begins) |
Time in ET | 7 a.m. (ceremony begins) |
What You'll Learn
The wedding ceremony began at 4 a.m. Arizona time
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a highly anticipated event, with an estimated 1.9 billion viewers tuning in worldwide. The ceremony began bright and early, at 4 a.m. Arizona time, which was noon in Windsor, United Kingdom, where the wedding was held. The time difference meant that those in Arizona had to wake up early to catch the festivities, which started at 2 a.m. local time.
The wedding was held on Saturday, May 19, 2018, at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, with the reception taking place at St. George's Hall. The choice of a weekend wedding was a break from royal tradition, as royal weddings typically take place on weekdays. The date also coincided with the FA Cup Final, which Prince Harry's brother, William, normally attends.
The ceremony was officiated by Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and included a notable inclusion of African-American culture. The wedding was also significant for Markle becoming the first person of mixed-race heritage to marry into the British royal family.
The bride, Meghan Markle, wore a dress designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, featuring a boat neckline, long sleeves, and a sweeping train. Her something "blue" was a piece of fabric from her first date with Prince Harry, stitched into her veil. Prince Harry wore a Blues and Royals frock coat uniform, with permission from the Queen.
The wedding ceremony was followed by a carriage procession through Windsor and a lunchtime reception hosted by the Queen. The festivities continued into the evening with a private reception hosted by Prince Charles at Frogmore House.
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The wedding was held at St. George's Chapel, Windsor
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took place on Saturday, May 19, 2018, at St. George's Chapel in Windsor, with the ceremony starting at 7 a.m. Eastern Time (noon local time). St. George's Chapel is located within the grounds of Windsor Castle and has been the setting for many royal weddings and events. The chapel was founded in the 14th century by King Edward III and is designed in the late-medieval Perpendicular Gothic style. It is a Royal Peculiar, meaning it is under the direct jurisdiction of the monarch, and it is also the Chapel of the Order of the Garter.
The choice of St. George's Chapel for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle continued a long tradition of royal marriages at this historic venue. The chapel has been the site of many royal weddings, particularly during the reign of Queen Victoria, when her children were married there. More recently, St. George's Chapel hosted the weddings of Prince Harry's uncle, the Earl of Wessex, and his cousin, Peter Phillips. Additionally, it was the venue for the blessing of the marriage of Prince Charles, Harry's father, and the Duchess of Cornwall.
St. George's Chapel holds a wealth of historical significance and is intimately tied to the British Royal Family. The interior of the chapel has been developed over the centuries to commemorate key figures in royal history. For example, the octagonal Bray Chapel is named after Sir Reginald Bray, a friend and benefactor of Henry VIII. The chapel is also the final resting place for several former sovereigns and notable figures in British history, including King Edward IV, King Henry VI, and King Charles I.
St. George's Chapel is not just a place of historical significance but also a site of ongoing royal worship and events. It continues to be a place of worship for the royal family and the local community. In June, a special service is usually held, attended by the Queen, other members of the Royal Family, and the Knights and Ladies of the Order of the Garter. The rich history and ongoing significance of St. George's Chapel made it an ideal choice for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, providing a beautiful and historic setting for their special day.
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The bride wore a dress by British designer Clare Waight Keller
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took place in the early morning of Saturday, May 19, 2018, Arizona time. The ceremony began at 4 a.m. Arizona time (7 a.m. EST).
The Bride's Dress
Purity and simplicity were the guiding principles behind the design. The dress was made of double-bonded silk cady, with a bateau neckline, three-quarter-length sleeves, and a train that flowed in soft round folds. The focus of the dress was the open neckline that gracefully framed the bride's shoulders and emphasised her slender waist. The slim sleeves added a note of refined modernity.
The veil was a particularly special part of the ensemble, as it was embroidered with flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, as well as Wintersweet, which grows in front of Nottingham Cottage, the couple's residence, and the California Poppy, the state flower of California, where the bride grew up. The veil was secured by a diamond bandeau tiara, made in 1932 for Queen Mary, and lent to Markle by Queen Elizabeth II.
Keller reflected on the experience, saying it was an "enormous honour" and a "privilege" to work on the project. She also shared that Meghan had a "vision" for the dress and that it was a collaborative process. The designer described Meghan as "genuine, warm, and radiant", and said it was an "absolute joy" working with her.
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The wedding cake was a lemon and elderflower cake
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took place in the early morning of Saturday, May 19, 2018, Arizona time. The ceremony began at 4 am AZ time, or noon local time in Windsor, United Kingdom.
The cake consisted of two single-tiered cakes and one two-tiered cake, displayed on ornate gold stands from the royal family's collection. The cakes were covered in elderflower Swiss meringue buttercream and adorned with 150 fresh flowers, including British peonies and roses, Meghan's favourite flower. The entire process took six bakers five days to prepare in the kitchen at Buckingham Palace. The cake was estimated to cost $70,000, or about $100 per slice.
The choice of a lemon and elderflower cake was inspired by the spring wedding date, adding a lighter and more refreshing flavour to the royal celebration. The cake was well-received, with Meghan and Harry enlisting Ptak to make a similar cake for their daughter Lilibet's first birthday.
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The wedding was attended by A-list celebrities including George and Amal Clooney
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took place in the early hours of Saturday, May 19, 2018, Arizona time. The ceremony, which was held at St George's Chapel, Windsor, in the United Kingdom, began at 4 am Arizona time.
The Clooneys were not the only celebrities in attendance at the royal wedding. Other A-listers included David and Victoria Beckham, James Corden and Julia Carey, Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian, Priyanka Chopra, Idris Elba and Sabrina Dhowre, Elton John and David Furnish, and Oprah Winfrey.
The guest list also included members of the British royal family, such as Queen Elizabeth II, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. In addition, there were relatives of the bride, Meghan Markle, including her mother, Doria Ragland.
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Frequently asked questions
The wedding festivities started at 2 a.m. Arizona time.
The ceremony began at 4 a.m. Arizona time.
ABC15's Good Morning America coverage started at 2 a.m. and went through 7 a.m. People could also watch on ABC15's website or Facebook page. Fathom Events screened a late-morning version of the wedding at two AMC theaters in the Valley and at Cinemark's Century Theatres in Oro Valley, Arizona.