Junior Rasmussen
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, is the younger son of King Charles III and Diana, Princess of Wales. He is fifth in line to the British throne. Prince Harry served in the British Army and saw active duty in Afghanistan twice, in 2007-2008 and 2012-2013. In 2018, he married American actress Meghan Markle at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. The wedding was noted for its departure from traditional royal weddings and inclusion of African-American culture. After the wedding, the couple embarked on a carriage tour of Windsor and attended an afternoon reception at Windsor Castle. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back from their royal duties in 2020.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding date | 19 May 2018 |
| Wedding location | St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle |
| Bride's father | Thomas Markle Sr. (unable to attend due to heart surgery) |
| Person accompanying the bride down the aisle | Prince Charles |
| Wedding rings | Markle's ring: Welsh gold; Prince Harry's ring: Platinum |
| Hymns | "Lord of All Hopefulness", "Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer" |
| National anthem | Sung by the couple and guests after signing the registers |
| Military involvement | Approximately 250 members of the British Armed Forces |
| Wedding service | Christian liturgy for Holy Matrimony as set out by the Church of England |
| Honeymoon | Delayed by a week to attend private engagements and Prince Charles' 70th Birthday celebration |
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What You'll Learn
- Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle was less traditional than previous royal weddings
- The wedding ceremony was Christian, with hymns, choirs, an orchestra, and fanfare trumpeters
- Prince Harry was seen wiping away a tear during the congregational singing of Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer, which was sung at his mother's funeral
- The couple shared a kiss on the steps outside the chapel and then departed in a carriage to tour Windsor town
- The wedding was significant for its inclusion of African-American culture and was described as a landmark for African Americans
Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle was less traditional than previous royal weddings
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was highly anticipated, with an estimated 1.9 billion viewers tuning in worldwide. The wedding was also significant for its departure from royal traditions. Firstly, it took place on a Saturday, breaking with the royal tradition of holding weddings during the workweek. Secondly, it was not declared a bank holiday, unlike the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton.
Another aspect that set this wedding apart was the inclusion of African-American culture in the service, which was described as a "landmark" for African Americans, Black British, and black and mixed-race women. Markle's choice of dress, cake, and flowers also deviated from royal norms and were speculated to influence British bridal choices. For instance, Markle chose not to have a maid of honour, and Prince Harry wore a platinum wedding band instead of the traditional Welsh gold.
The wedding ceremony itself also had unique touches. Markle included a piece of fabric from Diana's wedding dress as her "something old," and the Queen's tiara as her "something borrowed." The couple's first public kiss as husband and wife took place on the steps of St. George's Chapel, rather than on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, as is customary.
The wedding cake was also a departure from tradition, with the couple opting for a "lemon elderflower cake that will incorporate the bright flavours of spring," created by pastry chef Claire Ptak. The cake featured buttercream and fresh flowers as decoration. After the wedding, Markle's bridal bouquet was placed on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey, following a royal tradition begun by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.
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The wedding ceremony was Christian, with hymns, choirs, an orchestra, and fanfare trumpeters
The wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a Christian service, with hymns, choirs, an orchestra, and fanfare trumpeters. The wedding was conducted according to the Christian liturgy for Holy Matrimony as set out in Common Worship of the Church of England, the mother Church of the Anglican Communion.
The ceremony featured two choirs, an orchestra, and fanfare trumpeters providing music for the service. The chapel organ was played by Luke Bond. Hymns sung at the wedding included "Lord of All Hopefulness" and "Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer", the latter of which was a favourite of Prince Harry's mother, Princess Diana, and was also sung at her funeral in 1997. The couple's choice of hymns reflected their personal connection to the songs and their significance within the royal family.
The wedding ceremony was attended by approximately 250 members of the British Armed Forces, with the majority coming from units that have a connection to Prince Harry. Members of the Household Cavalry formed a staircase party at the chapel and also rode as escorts. The wedding also included members of the royal family, such as Prince Harry's father, King Charles III, who accompanied Meghan Markle down the aisle, and his brother, Prince William.
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was notable for its departure from traditional royal weddings and its inclusion of African-American culture in the service. It was described as a "landmark" moment, particularly for Black British, black, and mixed-race individuals. The couple's choice of a Christian wedding with hymns, choirs, and an orchestra reflected their desire to incorporate traditional and cultural elements into their special day.
After the wedding ceremony, the couple departed in a carriage that took them on a tour of Windsor, allowing them to share their happiness with well-wishers. They then attended an afternoon reception at Windsor Castle before continuing the celebrations at an exclusive evening reception at Frogmore House.
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Prince Harry was seen wiping away a tear during the congregational singing of Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer, which was sung at his mother's funeral
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took place on 19 May 2018. The wedding was significant for its departure from the tradition typically associated with the royal family. It was also notable for its inclusion of African-American culture in the service. The couple's wedding inspired a 2019 television film, Harry & Meghan: Becoming Royal.
Prince Harry was seen wiping away a tear during the congregational singing of "Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer". This hymn was a favourite of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, and was also sung at her funeral in 1997. The hymn was also the opening hymn at his brother William's wedding in 2011.
Harry's mother, Diana, died in a car crash in Paris in 1997. At the time, Harry was 12 years old and staying with his brother, William, and their father at Balmoral Castle. Following Diana's death, Harry inherited the bulk of her £12.9 million estate on his 30th birthday, which had grown to £10 million by 2014. Harry served in the army and was deployed to Afghanistan twice, in 2007-2008 and again in 2012-2013. He launched the Invictus Games in 2014 and remains involved in the armed forces through honorary appointments and engagements.
After their wedding, Harry and Meghan departed in a carriage for a tour of Windsor, followed by an afternoon reception at Windsor Castle and an evening reception at Frogmore House.
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The couple shared a kiss on the steps outside the chapel and then departed in a carriage to tour Windsor town
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on May 19, 2018, was a significant event for the British royal family, with approximately 250 members of the British Armed Forces involved in the ceremony. The wedding was also notable for its departure from traditional royal weddings, including Meghan's choice of dress, and the inclusion of African-American culture in the service.
After the wedding ceremony, the couple shared a kiss on the steps outside the chapel and then departed in a carriage to tour Windsor town, allowing them to share their special day with as many well-wishers as possible. The carriage ride was followed by an afternoon reception at Windsor Castle and an exclusive evening reception at Frogmore House.
The wedding ceremony was conducted according to the Christian liturgy for Holy Matrimony as set out by the Church of England. The couple exchanged personal vows, and the Archbishop of Canterbury later confirmed that the legal wedding took place on the same day, when he signed the wedding certificate.
The wedding rings were created by Cleave and Company, with Meghan's ring fashioned from Welsh gold and Harry's ring made of platinum. The couple sang the national anthem with their guests after signing the registers and paused to bow and curtsey to the Queen before walking down the aisle. Hymns played an important part in the ceremony, including "Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer," which was a favourite of Harry's mother, Princess Diana, and was also sung at her funeral in 1997.
Prince Harry's military background and service in Afghanistan were also reflected in the wedding, with members of the Household Cavalry forming a staircase party at the chapel and providing an escort. Harry's military connections continued after the wedding, with his involvement in the Invictus Games and honorary military appointments.
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The wedding was significant for its inclusion of African-American culture and was described as a landmark for African Americans
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a significant event for its inclusion of African-American culture and was hailed as a landmark moment for African Americans. Markle, a biracial American actress, became the first person who identifies as biracial to join the upper echelons of the UK's royal family. The wedding ceremony blended royal tradition with elements of black culture and history, which was met with excitement and pride by African Americans.
The wedding ceremony included a fervent sermon by Reverend Michael Curry, a black choir singing spirituals, and a performance by Sheku Kanneh-Mason, a renowned black cellist. The inclusion of these elements was praised as a nod to black history and culture, with some describing it as "the blackest royal wedding the UK has ever seen." The blend of traditions was also appreciated, with Dr Charles Harrison, a senior pastor, commenting on the mix of "the royal tradition of the wedding ceremony mixed in with the black church."
The choice of musical performances was especially noteworthy. The choir's rendition of "This Little Light of Mine" and Sheku Kanneh-Mason's performance as the first black musician to win the BBC Young Musician of the Year award were powerful moments. The diverse guest list also reflected the couple's desire to include a range of backgrounds and cultures, with a mix of royalty, celebrities, and friends.
The wedding was also notable for its departure from traditional royal weddings. The order of service, released by Kensington Palace, revealed a less traditional theme that ran through the entire day. Markle's entrance was accompanied by the Prince of Wales instead of her father, and the ceremony included a pastoral introduction that described marriage as a "creative relationship."
The inclusion of African-American culture in the wedding was not without criticism. Some media outlets were accused of underlying racism in their coverage of Markle's roots and her suitability for Prince Harry due to her being divorced and biracial. However, the wedding was overall celebrated as a positive step towards embracing differences and promoting unity.
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Frequently asked questions
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got married on 19 May 2018.
Prince Harry served in the British Army and saw active duty in Afghanistan twice. He was also involved with the armed forces through the Invictus Games, honorary military appointments, and other official engagements.
The wedding was notable for its departure from traditional royal customs and its inclusion of African-American culture. Markle's biracial background was also seen as a significant aspect.
After the ceremony, Harry and Markle departed in a carriage for a tour of Windsor Town. They then attended an afternoon reception at Windsor Castle and an evening reception at Frogmore House.
The wedding was attended by Markle's friends and co-stars, including Serena Williams, Oprah Winfrey, and two of Harry's ex-girlfriends, Cressida Bonas and Chelsy Davy. Foreign royal guests included Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, Harry's friend and co-founder of the charity Sentebale.
