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Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle took place on 19 May 2018 at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. The ceremony commenced at 12:00 midday BST and was followed by a carriage procession through Windsor at 1 pm. The wedding broke with royal tradition by taking place on a Saturday, as royal weddings typically occur on weekdays. The couple's wedding rings were created by Cleave and Company, with Markle's ring made of Welsh gold and Harry's of platinum. The wedding ceremony included the congregational singing of Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer, a favourite of Harry's late mother, Princess Diana. The wedding was attended by the royal family, including Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince Charles, and Queen Elizabeth II, as well as American celebrities such as Serena Williams, Priyanka Chopra, and George and Amal Clooney.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 19 May 2018 |
| Time | 12:00 Midday BST |
| Location | St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle |
| Guest list | 600 guests, including the British royal family, American A-listers, and 1,200 well-wishers |
| Cake | Lemon elderflower cake, made by Claire Ptak |
| Music | James Vivian oversaw the music for the wedding service, which included "a selection of choral groups, soloists, and musicians." The first dance was to Pickett's "Land of 1000 Dances." |
| Vows | Meghan omitted the promise "to obey" from her wedding vows. |
| Rings | Meghan's ring was made of Welsh gold, and Harry's ring was made of platinum. |
| Dress | Meghan's dress was designed with the Queen's approval and customs in mind, such as covered shoulders. |
| Tiara | The Queen offered a selection of tiaras to choose from. |
| Best Man | Prince Harry chose his brother, Prince William, as his best man, a break in royal tradition. |
| Procession | After the ceremony, Harry and Meghan took a carriage procession through Windsor, followed by a procession of other members of the bridal party and their families. |
| Kiss | The couple shared their first kiss on the steps outside the chapel. |
| Costs | The royal family announced they would pay for the wedding, with costs estimated at around £32 million. |
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What You'll Learn
Date, time, and location
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding date was carefully selected to fit the royal family's schedule, as well as to accommodate the couple's preferences. The wedding took place on Saturday, May 19, 2018, at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. The date was chosen despite it coinciding with the FA Cup Final, which Prince Harry's brother, William, typically attends as the President of the Football Association. This choice marked a break with the royal tradition of holding weddings on weekdays.
The time of the ceremony was set for 12:00 midday BST, with the carriage procession through Windsor following at 1:00 p.m. The wedding ceremony commenced at St. George's Chapel, a venue that holds significance for the royal family. The chapel has been the site of numerous royal weddings, including those of Prince Harry's uncle and cousin, and it is also the final resting place of several monarchs.
The wedding date was strategically chosen to allow for the attendance of close family members and accommodate their availability. Princess Eugenie, who was initially set to marry sooner, had to postpone her wedding due to Harry's higher rank in the royal family. The date also took into account the due dates of Zara Tindall and Kate, who were pregnant when Harry and Meghan announced their engagement.
The location, Windsor Castle, holds a special significance for the couple, who expressed their delight in starting their married life together within its beautiful grounds. The castle provided a picturesque backdrop for the carriage procession, allowing the public to catch a glimpse of the newlyweds as they rode through the town of Windsor.
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Wedding rings
The wedding rings of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were created by Cleave and Company. Markle's ring was fashioned out of Welsh gold, while Prince Harry's ring was made of platinum.
The wedding ceremony was held at St. George's Chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle. The couple exchanged vows and rings, sealing their marriage. After the signing of the registers, Harry and Markle, along with their guests, sang the national anthem. They briefly paused to bow and curtsey to the Queen before walking down the aisle.
The wedding rings held significant meaning for the couple. The choice of Welsh gold for Markle's ring honoured the tradition of royal brides having wedding bands made from the same precious metal. This tradition dates back to 1923 when the Queen Mother, then Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, married the Duke of York, who later became King George VI.
Prince Harry's decision to wear a wedding band was notable as it broke from a longstanding tradition among male members of the British royal family. Historically, royal men often chose not to wear wedding rings, but Prince Harry opted to wear one as a symbol of his commitment and modern perspective.
The exchange of rings during the wedding ceremony symbolised the couple's love, devotion, and commitment to each other. It was a powerful moment that marked the beginning of their married life together as they embarked on their journey as husband and wife.
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Guests
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding guest list included several members of the British royal family, such as Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, and the Queen's three siblings. The couple also invited Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, and her friends, including Serena Williams, Priyanka Chopra, Abigail Spencer, Gabriel Macht, Patrick J. Adams, Troian Bellisario, Jessica Mulroney, and her Suits costars. Prince Harry's ex-girlfriends, Cressida Bonas and Chelsea Davy, were also in attendance.
Several famous couples were also present, including George and Amal Clooney, Carey Mulligan and Marcus Mumford, and Victoria and David Beckham. The wedding also included a performance by Elton John and DJ sets by Idris Elba and James Corden, who dressed in a Tudor outfit. Approximately 600 guests were invited to the ceremony and lunch, hosted by the Queen, and 200 guests attended the evening reception at Frogmore House, hosted by the Prince of Wales.
The couple had more freedom in their guest list choices compared to other royal couples, as Harry is not the heir. They did not invite political leaders, except for former Prime Minister Sir John Major, who was a special guardian to William and Harry after their mother's death.
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Food and drink
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding was a grand affair, with an estimated cost of £32 million. The royal family announced that they would pay for the wedding, with catering costs estimated at £286,000.
The lunchtime reception was held at St. George's Hall in Windsor Castle, where guests dined immediately after the ceremony. The menu included baked potato, pork belly, and meringue for dessert. In addition to the food, guests were treated to cocktails mixed by Casamigos tequila founder George Clooney and ginger beverages—a nod to Harry's famous red hair.
Later, 200 guests attended a second, smaller reception at Frogmore House on the castle grounds. The couple served a lemon elderflower cake made by Claire Ptak, owner of Violet Bakery in London.
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Music
The 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 Harry's mother, Princess Diana, and was also sung at her funeral in 1997.
The couple's first dance was to the tune of Wilson Pickett's "Land of 1000 Dances". Meghan said, "I just really wanted the music to be fun. Even our first dance."
The celebrity guests at the wedding also contributed to the musical entertainment. Idris Elba served as the couple's DJ, and Elton John performed at their daytime luncheon. Serena Williams, a professional tennis player and long-time friend of the bride, also participated in the reception activities by playing beer pong.
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Frequently asked questions
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got married on Saturday, 19 May 2018.
The wedding ceremony was held at St. George's Chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle.
The guest list included the Queen, Markle's parents, Serena Williams, Priyanka Chopra, Abigail Spencer, Gabriel Macht, Patrick J. Adams, Troian Bellisario, Cressida Bonas, Chelsea Davy, George and Amal Clooney, Carey Mulligan, Marcus Mumford, Victoria and David Beckham, Oprah Winfrey, and James Corden.
The wedding ceremony was followed by a carriage procession through Windsor. The couple shared a kiss on the steps outside the chapel. They exchanged rings, with Markle's ring made of Welsh gold and Harry's ring made of platinum. The hymn "Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer", which was a favourite of his mother, Princess Diana, was sung during the ceremony. The wedding cake was a lemon elderflower cake made by Claire Ptak.
