Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding took place on Saturday, 19 May 2018, at 12:00 p.m. BST (7 a.m. ET). The ceremony was held at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, and was followed by a carriage procession through Windsor at 1:00 p.m. BST (8 a.m. ET). The wedding broke with several royal traditions, including being held on a weekend, and the choice of cake and wedding dress.
What You'll Learn
The wedding date and time
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took place on Saturday, 19 May 2018, at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in the United Kingdom. The ceremony commenced at 12:00 Midday BST (7:00 a.m. ET) and was followed by a carriage procession through Windsor at 1:00 p.m. BST (8:00 a.m. ET).
The date and time of the wedding broke with several royal traditions. Firstly, the wedding took place on a Saturday, whereas previous royal weddings had typically been held on weekdays. Secondly, the wedding date coincided with the Emirates FA Final Cup, a historic soccer cup competition in Britain. Finally, the ceremony time of midday was a departure from the usual morning wedding slot.
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The wedding venue
The choice of venue was a break from tradition, as Prince Harry's brother, Prince William, married Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey in London. The ceremony began at 12 pm BST (7 am ET) and was followed by a carriage procession through Windsor at 1 pm BST (8 am ET).
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The wedding cake
Ptak, a California native, owns Violet Cakes, a bakery-café in East London. She is known for her moist sponge cakes with incredible fillings and her focus on organic ingredients. Ptak's philosophy resonated with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who shared her values of sustainability and seasonality. The cake was a unique choice for a royal wedding, and its design was equally as stunning as its flavour.
The cake consisted of multiple tiers, with 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 a luscious Swiss meringue buttercream, with a smooth and stark white exterior. The cake was adorned with 150 fresh flowers, including British peonies and roses, and green foliage. It was a true spring-inspired creation.
The cost of the cake was estimated to be around $70,000, reflecting the care put into the recipe, the use of local and organic ingredients, and the assembly and decoration. The cake was a show-stopping centrepiece at the wedding, and its unique flavour and design made it a memorable part of the celebration.
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The wedding reception
Elton John performed at the reception, singing several songs, including Tiny Dancer, which he dedicated to Meghan. The groom and the Prince of Wales both gave speeches.
A second, more intimate reception was held later in the day at Frogmore House, hosted by the Prince of Wales. This reception was attended by the couple's 200 closest friends. The newlyweds arrived in a vintage blue Jaguar E-Type convertible, adorned with a special license plate bearing the date of their wedding.
DJ Idris Elba and The Atlantic Soul Orchestra provided the music, with Elba playing a set list provided by Meghan. The couple's first dance was to 'Land of 1000 Dances'. Fireworks were set off over Frogmore House to end the night.
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The wedding rings
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took place on Saturday, May 19, 2018, at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in the United Kingdom.
Prince Harry's ring was made of platinum, a departure from the classic Welsh gold usually favoured by the royal family. It featured a slender band and a subtly brushed, textured finish. Harry opted for a more modern look for this special piece of jewellery.
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Frequently asked questions
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got married on Saturday, May 19, 2018.
The wedding took place at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.
The ceremony began at 12:00 p.m. BST (7 a.m. ET).
Meghan's wedding dress was designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy.
The wedding cake was a lemon elderflower cake created by pastry chef Claire Ptak. It featured elderflower syrup, a light sponge cake, Amalfi lemon curd, and elderflower buttercream.