The Royal Wedding: Meghan Markle's Ceremony Timing

what time is meghan markle wedding

On 19 May 2018, Meghan Markle, an American actress, married Prince Harry of Britain in St. George's Chapel within the grounds of Windsor Castle. The wedding, which was a royal affair, was attended by 600 guests and viewed by nearly 2 billion people worldwide. The ceremony commenced at 12:00 midday BST.

Characteristics Values
Date 19 May 2018
Day Saturday
Time 12:00 Midday BST
Location St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, United Kingdom
Bride Meghan Markle
Groom Prince Harry
Bride's Dress White boat-neck dress by British designer Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy
Groom's Attire Frock coat uniform of the Household Cavalry ("Blues and Royals")
Best Man Prince William
Maid of Honour N/A
Officiant Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby
Cake Lemon elderflower-flavoured cake with buttercream frosting
Flowers N/A
Guests 600
Television Viewers Nearly 2 billion
Honeymoon Destination Kept private, speculated to be East Africa

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Meghan's wedding dress was designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took place on Saturday, 19 May 2018, at St George's Chapel, Windsor. The ceremony commenced at 12:00 midday BST.

Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy. Markle chose Waight Keller because she wanted to highlight the success of a leading British talent and because of the designer's elegant aesthetic and relaxed demeanour. The dress was made in Paris by a small team of ateliers, with Markle and Waight Keller working closely together on the design, which sought to convey modernity through sleek lines and sharp cuts while paying homage to the history of the Givenchy house. The dress was made of silk with three-quarter-length sleeves, an open bateau neckline, and a train with a built-in triple silk organza underskirt. The focus of the dress was the graphic open neckline, which gracefully framed the shoulders and emphasised the slender sculpted waist. The lines of the dress extended towards the back, where the train flowed in soft, round folds.

The veil was embroidered with flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, as well as the California poppy, in honour of Markle's home state, and wintersweet, a flower that grows at Kensington Palace. Markle also chose to include a piece of the blue dress she wore on her first date with Prince Harry, which was stitched into the veil. The veil was topped with Queen Mary's diamond bandeau tiara, which was on loan from Queen Elizabeth. Markle's wedding shoes were based on a Givenchy refined pointed couture design made of silk duchess satin.

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The wedding ceremony took place at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle

The wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took place at St. George's Chapel, located within the grounds of Windsor Castle. The ceremony was held on Saturday, 19 May 2018, commencing at 12:00 midday BST. The choice of venue was in keeping with royal tradition, as the chapel 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 and Queen Elizabeth II, who were buried there following their deaths in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

St. George's Chapel provided a quaint setting for the royal nuptials, in contrast to the grander Westminster Abbey, which had been the venue for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. The chapel has a rich history, dating back at least 500 years, and has been a significant site for the royal family over the centuries.

On 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. Meghan Markle, upon her marriage, became a princess of the United Kingdom and gained the titles Duchess of Sussex, Countess of Dumbarton, and Baroness Kilkeel, along with the style of Her Royal Highness.

The wedding ceremony was noted for its blend of traditional elements and unique touches. Markle walked down the aisle unescorted, a departure from typical royal weddings, until she reached the Quire, where Prince Charles joined her. This gesture held significance as it symbolised the support and welcome of Markle into the royal family by the future king of Britain.

The ceremony was officiated by Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, using the standard Anglican church service for Holy Matrimony. The wedding also incorporated elements of African-American culture, with a sermon by the Most Rev. Michael Curry, the first black presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, who quoted Martin Luther King Jr. The Kingdom Choir gospel choir performed a rendition of "Stand by Me" and the civil rights anthem, "This Little Light of Mine."

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The wedding broke tradition by being held on a Saturday

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took place on Saturday, 19 May 2018, at St George's Chapel, Windsor. The date broke with royal tradition, as royal weddings typically take place during the week. In fact, Queen Victoria had forbidden her children from getting married in May, deeming it bad luck due to an ancient Roman superstition.

The ceremony commenced at 12:00 midday BST. Markle walked down the aisle unescorted until she reached the Quire, where Prince Charles joined her. This marked another break from tradition, as royal brides are usually accompanied by their fathers.

The wedding was not declared a bank holiday, unlike the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. It also coincided with the FA Cup Final, which Prince Harry's brother, William, normally attends in his role as President of the Football Association.

The couple's choice of cake also broke with royal tradition. They opted for a lemon elderflower-flavoured cake with buttercream frosting, rather than the traditional multi-tiered fruitcake favoured by royal couples.

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The wedding cake was a lemon elderflower-flavoured concoction with buttercream frosting

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a grand affair, with the couple exchanging vows on 19 May 2018, in St. George's Chapel within the grounds of Windsor Castle. The ceremony was attended by 600 guests and viewed by nearly 2 billion people worldwide. The wedding cake was a lemon elderflower-flavoured concoction with buttercream frosting, a departure from the traditional multi-tiered fruitcake favoured by royal couples.

The cake, created by baker Claire Ptak, featured tiers that stood separately, rather than the traditional stacked tiers of royal wedding cakes. Ptak and her team spent five days perfecting the lemon sponge confection, ensuring that it not only tasted delicious but also looked the part for the royal wedding. This unique presentation added a modern twist to the cake, reflecting the couple's desire to incorporate their own personal touches into their special day.

The choice of flavour and design for the wedding cake was a joint decision made by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, with input from the Queen, who had to approve all aspects of the wedding, including the guest list and the venue. The cake's flavour profile, with its refreshing lemon and elderflower notes, offered a delightful sensory experience for the guests, while the buttercream frosting provided a rich and creamy texture.

The wedding cake played a significant role in the overall wedding theme, with its light and airy flavour mirroring the elegant and joyous atmosphere of the ceremony. The use of buttercream frosting, known for its smooth and luscious mouthfeel, added a touch of decadence to the cake, making it a true showcase piece at the reception. The cake not only satisfied the taste buds of the royal couple and their guests but also became a symbol of the couple's willingness to incorporate modern elements into their royal wedding, creating a memorable experience for all who attended.

Overall, the lemon elderflower-flavoured wedding cake with buttercream frosting was a delightful choice for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's nuptials, reflecting their unique style and taste. The cake's departure from royal tradition showcased the couple's desire to make their wedding a personal and memorable celebration, shared with their loved ones and the world.

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Meghan walked down the aisle unescorted until she reached the Quire

On May 19, 2018, Meghan Markle, an American actress, married Prince Harry of Britain. The wedding took place at St. George's Chapel within the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Markle's choice of wedding dress, as well as the cake and flowers, were speculated to be influential on the choices of other British brides for their weddings. The wedding inspired a 2019 television film entitled, Harry & Meghan: Becoming Royal.

The ceremony commenced at 12:00 midday BST. It was attended by 600 guests, and nearly 2 billion people worldwide watched the televised event. The bride wore a white boat-neck dress by British designer Clare Waight Keller, the first female designer of the French fashion house Givenchy. The groom wore the frock coat uniform of the Household Cavalry ("the Blues and Royals"). Harry's brother, Prince William, served as best man, and Markle chose not to have a maid of honour.

In a break from tradition, Meghan Markle walked down the aisle unescorted until she reached the Quire, where the main royal guests were seated. Prince Charles joined her there, and they continued down the aisle together. In the past, royal brides have sometimes chosen someone other than their fathers to walk them down the aisle, but walking the first part solo was definitely a first.

Frequently asked questions

The wedding ceremony commenced at 12:00 midday BST.

The ceremony was attended by 600 guests, including Oprah Winfrey, George and Amal Clooney, Serena Williams, and Sir Elton John.

The wedding took place on Saturday, May 19, 2018.

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