Rhiannon Hendricks
On May 19, 2018, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle officially tied the knot at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. The wedding ceremony began at 12 p.m. BST (7 a.m. ET), with the Dean of Windsor and the Archbishop of Canterbury officiating the wedding and conducting the service, respectively. The wedding was followed by a carriage procession through Windsor Town at 1 p.m. BST (8 a.m. ET), with the newlyweds embarking on a journey back to the castle for a lunchtime reception hosted by the Queen. With a guest list of 600 attendees, the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a grand affair, captivating audiences worldwide with live coverage and broadcasts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Wedding | 19 May 2018 |
| Time of Ceremony | 7 a.m. ET (noon local time) |
| Venue | St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle |
| Bride | Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex |
| Groom | Prince Harry |
| Bride's Ring | Custom bateau-neck wedding gown by Givenchy Haute Couture |
| Groom's Ring | Platinum with a slender band and a subtly brushed, textured finish |
| Best Man | Prince William |
| Wedding Bands for Royal Brides | Traditional |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Harry's wedding ring was made of platinum
On the 19th of May 2018, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, got married at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. The wedding ceremony began at 7 a.m. ET (noon local time). Ahead of the ceremony, Kensington Palace revealed details about the couple's wedding rings. Unlike his brother, Prince William, Prince Harry chose to wear a wedding band. Harry's wedding ring was made of platinum, breaking the royal tradition of using Welsh gold. The ring featured a slender band with a subtly brushed, textured finish. Harry's decision to wear a wedding ring and his choice of platinum over Welsh gold showcased his modern approach and willingness to forge his path within the royal family.
Harry's choice of a platinum wedding band stood out as a departure from the traditional Welsh gold style typically favoured by British royal men. This tradition of using Welsh gold for royal wedding rings can be traced back to the Queen Mother, who married in 1923. The gold for her wedding band was sourced from the Clogau St. David Gold Mine in Bontddu, North Wales. This custom was subsequently followed by other royal brides, including the Queen in 1947, Princess Margaret in 1960, the Princess Royal in 1973, and Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1981.
While Harry's decision to wear a wedding ring was a break from the norm for royal men, it's worth noting that his father, Prince Charles, also wears a wedding ring daily. Prince Charles' ring is made of classic gold. On the other hand, Prince William, Harry's brother, and Prince Philip, his grandfather, have chosen not to wear wedding bands.
The choice of platinum for Harry's wedding ring symbolised his desire to forge his path and make modern choices within the royal family. This decision reflected the evolving nature of traditions and the increasing importance of personal preference in royal customs. Harry's wedding ring, with its sleek design and subtle finish, became a unique symbol of his commitment to his partner and his willingness to embrace change.
The wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a highly anticipated event, with guests arriving at Windsor Castle early in the morning to secure their spots. The service, officiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, lasted about an hour. Following the ceremony, the newlyweds departed for a private sit-down dinner hosted by Prince Charles.
The Ultimate Guide to Engagement and Wedding Rings
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Meghan's ring was made of Welsh gold
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, took place on 19 May 2018 at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. The service began at 7 a.m. ET (noon local time) and lasted about an hour.
Meghan Markle's wedding ring was made from a piece of Welsh gold given to her by the Queen. The tradition of the royal family using Welsh gold for wedding rings began in 1923 with the Queen Mother, and later Queen Elizabeth, Princess Margaret, Princess Anne and the late Diana, Princess of Wales, all chose this precious metal for their wedding rings. The gold came from the Clogau-St. David’s Gold Mine in Bontddu, Wales, which was previously the richest gold mine in the United Kingdom.
The royal couple chose Cleave and Company to make their wedding bands, and the rings were carried to the chapel by Prince Harry's brother and best man, William, the Duke of Cambridge.
Unlike his brother, Prince Harry chose to wear a wedding ring, opting for a modern platinum design with a subtly brushed, textured finish, rather than the classic Welsh gold usually favoured by his family.
The History Behind Wedding Rings and Left Hands
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Harry broke with royal tradition by choosing platinum
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding broke with a few longstanding royal traditions. One of the most notable was Harry's choice of wedding ring. Harry's ring was made by Cleave and Company, but he broke with royal tradition by choosing platinum instead of the classic Welsh gold usually favoured by his family.
In fact, many British royal men choose not to wear a wedding ring at all. His brother, Prince William, for example, has never worn a wedding band. Their father, King Charles III, wore a wedding ring during his marriage to Princess Diana, but now wears one on his pinky finger. Prince Philip, their grandfather, did not wear a wedding ring.
Harry's decision to wear a ring, let alone a platinum one, was therefore surprising to some. However, today it is thought to be more about personal preference than strict adherence to tradition.
Harry and Meghan's wedding day also broke with tradition in other ways. The couple reportedly got married three days before their royal wedding ceremony. They also kept the birth of their son, Archie, more private, choosing not to continue the tradition of royal mothers being photographed on the steps of the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital.
Stop Fidgeting: Wedding Ring Edition
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$14.94
Harry's wedding ring has a brushed texture finish
On May 19, 2018, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, got married at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. The service began at 7 a.m. ET (noon local time).
Prince Harry's wedding ring has a brushed texture finish, which is an alternative to the standard mirror-polished finish. A brushed finish is created by applying a textured brushed effect using a spinning wire brush. This finish gives the ring a softer, muted look and diffuses light with less reflection than a traditional mirror polish.
The brushed finish is often described as having a matte or satin effect. A matte finish will absorb rather than reflect light and will feel smooth to the touch but will easily show marks. In contrast, a satin finish is similar to satin fiber threads and has a very fine texture.
A brushed finish can be applied to any jewellery item, but it is most commonly applied to plain bands rather than traditional eternity and engagement rings. This finish can also be combined with patterns or engravings to create a unique decorative effect.
The Wedding Ring: Which Hand and Finger?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Harry's wedding ring was made by Cleave and Company
On the 19th of May 2018, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, got married at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. The wedding ceremony began at noon ET. The couple's wedding rings were made by Cleave and Company, with Harry's ring being a platinum band with a subtly brushed, textured finish. Harry's decision to wear a wedding ring was surprising to some as there is no official royal tradition in place for princes and rings. Many British royal men, including his brother, Prince William, choose not to wear a wedding ring at all.
Harry's decision to wear a wedding ring was a break from tradition, as many British royal men choose not to wear one. His choice of a platinum band was also a departure from the classic Welsh gold usually favoured by his family. Harry's ring features a slender band with a subtly brushed, textured finish, giving it a modern and sleek look.
The wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a highly anticipated event, with Kensington Palace revealing details about the rings on the morning of the wedding. The couple exchanged rings during the ceremony, with Harry placing the ring on Meghan's finger before she did the same for him. The wedding service began at noon ET and lasted about an hour, with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, officiating the wedding and the Dean of Windsor, Bishop David Conner, conducting the service.
Overall, the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a memorable occasion, with Harry's choice to wear a wedding ring and his selection of a platinum band crafted by Cleave and Company standing out as unique aspects of the royal ceremony.
Protect Your Wedding Rings: Is Homeowners Insurance Enough?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The service began at 7 a.m. ET (noon local time).
Meghan Markle's wedding ring is a band of Welsh gold gifted by the Queen. Prince Harry's ring is a platinum band with a textured finish.
Yes, Prince Harry designed Meghan Markle's engagement ring. It features a cushion-cut stone sourced from Botswana, flanked by two smaller round-cut stones from Princess Diana's jewelry collection.
