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. The ceremony began at 12 p.m. BST (British Summer Time) and was attended by 600 guests. For viewers in the United States, the wedding started at different times depending on their time zone. For example, viewers on the West Coast could tune in at 4 a.m. PT, while those in New York watched at 7 a.m. ET. The wedding was a highly anticipated event, with an estimated 1.9 billion people tuning in worldwide.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Date | Saturday, May 19, 2018 |
Time | 12 p.m. BST |
Location | St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, United Kingdom |
Bride | Meghan Markle |
Groom | Prince Harry |
Officiant | Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby |
Service Conductor | Dean of Windsor, David Conner |
Address | Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church, Michael Bruce Curry |
Bride's Title | Duchess of Sussex |
Groom's Title | Duke of Sussex |
What You'll Learn
The wedding ceremony began at 12 p.m. BST
The wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle began at 12 p.m. BST on Saturday, May 19, 2018. The service was conducted by the Dean of Windsor, David Conner, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who also officiated as the couple exchanged vows. The ceremony took place at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, with 600 guests in attendance.
The day's events began much earlier, with guests starting to arrive from 9:30 a.m. local time. Charity workers, local school children, employees of the Queen, and other special invitees were among those present outside the chapel to cheer on the happy couple. Members of the royal family began to arrive from 11:20 a.m., with Prince Harry and Prince William entering on foot to greet well-wishers within the castle grounds.
The ceremony itself commenced at midday, with the bride, Meghan Markle, walking down the aisle to "Eternal source of light divine", accompanied by her mother, Doria Ragland. Prince Charles walked Markle halfway down the aisle, in place of her father, who was unable to attend due to medical reasons. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, officiated the wedding, and the Dean of Windsor, David Conner, conducted the service.
The wedding ceremony was a traditional Anglican service, with the couple exchanging standard vows. Notably, Markle omitted the word "obey" from her vows, following in the footsteps of her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, and sister-in-law, Kate Middleton. The ceremony also featured a break from tradition, with the Archbishop choosing not to ask, "Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?". This gave a feminist twist to the proceedings, as Markle was not formally "given away".
The wedding ceremony included a special sermon by American Bishop Michael Bruce Curry, who quoted Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Love Your Enemies" speech. The ceremony also featured a gospel choir, who sang "Stand By Me", and a beautiful bouquet for the bride, which included forget-me-nots, hand-picked by Prince Harry, in honour of his late mother, Princess Diana.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the newlyweds exited the church and embarked on a carriage procession through Windsor Town, offering the public a glimpse of the happy couple. They then returned to Windsor Castle, where the Queen hosted a lunchtime reception for the couple and their guests.
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The carriage procession began at 1 p.m. UK time
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a grand affair, with the ceremony beginning at 12 pm UK time. The carriage procession began at 1 pm UK time, with the newlyweds embarking on a journey through Windsor Town. The procession offered the public a glimpse of the happy couple, with over 2,000 members of the public invited to Windsor Castle to witness the event.
The carriage procession was a highlight of the wedding, with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle waving to the crowd as they rode through Windsor Town. The procession lasted for about 25 minutes, after which the couple returned to Windsor Castle, where an early afternoon reception was hosted by the Queen at St. George's Hall. The reception was attended by around 600 guests, including members of the royal family and close friends of the couple.
The carriage procession was a memorable part of the wedding, with the newlyweds smiling and waving to the well-wishers who had gathered to catch a glimpse of them. The procession was also a chance for the public to celebrate and offer their congratulations to the happy couple. Many people lined the streets of Windsor Town to witness the procession, and it was a festive and joyous occasion for all.
The carriage procession was also significant because it was the first time that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle appeared in public as a married couple. They looked happy and relaxed as they rode through the town, and it was a special moment for them to connect with the people who had come to celebrate their wedding. The procession was a beautiful tradition that added to the magic and romance of the day.
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The wedding was held at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was held on Saturday, May 19, 2018, at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in the United Kingdom. The chapel, built in the late-medieval Perpendicular Gothic style, is located in the Lower Ward of the castle and has been the site of many royal services, weddings, and burials. It was founded in the 14th century by King Edward III and has been extensively enlarged and redeveloped over the centuries.
St. George's Chapel 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 College of St. George, of which the chapel is a part, is a community of people who come together to offer worship, prayers for the Sovereign and the Order of the Garter, service to society, and hospitality to visitors.
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was not the first royal wedding to be held at St. George's Chapel. It had previously been the venue for the weddings of Prince Harry's uncle, the Earl of Wessex, and his cousin, Peter Phillips. Additionally, the then-Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, Harry's stepmother, received a blessing at the chapel after their marriage.
The royal family announced that they would pay for the wedding, with costs estimated to be around £32 million. The security costs were expected to be lower than those of the 2011 wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The overall cost included expenses for the cake, the florist, and the catering, which were estimated to be £50,000, £110,000, and £286,000, respectively.
The wedding service began at 12 p.m. BST, with the Dean of Windsor, Bishop David Conner, conducting the service, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, officiating the wedding. The newlyweds then embarked on a 1 p.m. carriage procession through Windsor town before returning to the castle for a reception hosted by the Queen at St. George's Hall.
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The bride wore a dress designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy
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. The bride, Meghan Markle, wore a dress designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy.
The dress was designed with a "timeless minimal elegance" that referenced the iconic House of Givenchy. The pure lines of the dress were achieved through six meticulously placed seams, with a focus on the graphic open bateau neckline that gracefully framed the shoulders and emphasised the slender sculpted waist. The slim three-quarter sleeves added a refined modern touch. The dress was made of double-bonded silk cady, cushioned by an underskirt in triple silk organza, with a boat neckline, long sleeves, and a sweeping train. The overall design was reflective of Meghan's classic personal style, veering away from past royal bridal fashion trends of opulent lace and crystal embellishments.
The dress was widely praised for its elegant simplicity, with its understated, floor-length design. The Duchess chose to embrace her personal style, focusing on small meaningful details while keeping the dress minimal and classic. Clare Waight Keller, the first female leader of the French fashion house, became known for bringing couture back to the house. The dress was said to be "flawless" and "perfect", reflecting the significance of the occasion with billions of viewers worldwide.
The bride's veil was also a special creation by Waight Keller, measuring 16 feet (4.9 meters) long and embroidered with 55 flowers. Each flower represented the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, along with Wintersweet, which grows in front of Nottingham Cottage, the home of the newlyweds, and the California Poppy, the state flower of California, where Meghan grew up. The veil was secured by the Queen Mary Diamond Bandeau Tiara, lent to Meghan by Queen Elizabeth II. The centre brooch of the tiara was a wedding gift to Queen Mary from the County of Lincoln in 1893.
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The wedding cake was a lemon and elderflower cake
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took place on Saturday, May 19, 2018, at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, United Kingdom. The wedding ceremony began at 12 p.m. BST, with the newlyweds embarking on a carriage procession at 1 p.m. before returning to the castle for a reception hosted by the Queen.
Now, for the cake! The wedding cake was a lemon and elderflower cake, breaking away from the traditional fruit cake typically served at royal weddings. The cake was created by London-based baker Claire Ptak, owner of Violet Cakes in East London. Ptak was given complete creative freedom by the couple, resulting in a unique and refreshing spring-inspired cake.
The cake was a layered confection, consisting of two single-tiered cakes and one two-tiered cake, adorned with elderflower Swiss meringue buttercream and 150 fresh flowers, including British peonies and roses. The lemon and elderflower flavours were a perfect choice for the spring wedding, with the elderflower cordial sourced from the Queen's Sandringham estate adding a special touch.
The cake was baked in the kitchens of Buckingham Palace by Ptak and her team, requiring six bakers and taking five days to prepare. It was a labour of love, with each slice estimated to cost about $100, and the entire cake totalling over $62,000. The cake stood out not only for its delicious flavours but also for its beautiful display, presented on ornate gold stands from the royal family's collection.
The wedding cake was a true masterpiece, a delightful departure from tradition that reflected the couple's own unique style and taste. It was a perfect choice for a spring wedding and a true showcase of Ptak's talent and expertise.
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Frequently asked questions
The wedding ceremony began at 7 a.m. Eastern Time in the United States.
The wedding took place at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, United Kingdom.
The wedding took place on Saturday, May 19, 2018.
The wedding festivities began at 9:30 a.m. local time in the UK, with guests and members of the royal family arriving at St. George's Chapel. The ceremony began at 12 p.m. BST.