Harry And Meghan: Love At First Sight

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle first met in 2016 when they were set up on a blind date by a mutual friend. However, Harry's first glimpse of Meghan was on social media when she shared a photo of herself using the Snapchat dog filter. Their relationship was kept very private for a few months until the press got word of the news in October 2016. The couple got engaged in November 2017 and married on 19 May 2018 at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.

Harry and Meghan exchanged vows three days before their wedding

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding was a grand affair, with the world watching as they exchanged vows in front of 600 guests at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. However, what many people don't know is that Harry and Meghan had actually exchanged vows three days before their official wedding ceremony.

During their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex revealed that they had a private ceremony three days before their public wedding. Meghan shared, "You know, three days before our wedding, we got married. No one knows that. But we called the Archbishop, and we just said, 'Look, this thing, this spectacle is for the world, but we want our union between us.' So, the vows that we have framed in our room are just the two of us in our backyard with the Archbishop of Canterbury." Harry chimed in, "Just the three of us," before jokingly singing "Just The Two of Us."

This private ceremony was not a legally binding marriage, as that requires a licensed venue and two witnesses in addition to the couple. Instead, it was a symbolic exchange of vows, which the couple now have framed in their California home. The official wedding ceremony took place on May 19, 2018, and was broadcast live to an audience of 18 million people.

The royal couple's private ceremony caused quite a stir, with fans speculating about whether they were already officially married when viewers watched them walk up the aisle during the televised wedding. It also sparked conversations about the tradition of having a symbolic ceremony in addition to the legal one, which is common among couples who wish to get married abroad or at a non-licensed venue.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's wedding was certainly one for the history books, with its blend of tradition and modernity, and the reveal of their private vow exchange only added to the intrigue and fascination surrounding their union.

Meghan's wedding dress was inspired by Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy

Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller, the artistic director of Givenchy. The dress was reportedly inspired by Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, who married John F. Kennedy Jr. in 1996. Markle had previously stated that Bessette-Kennedy's wedding dress was "everything goals".

The dress featured six delicately placed seams that flowed into a 9-foot-long train. The three-quarter-length sleeves and open bateau neckline served as the focal points of the dress. It was made of exclusive double-bonded silk cady material, with a pure white hue and delicate fabric that required extra-special care. The embroiderers had to wash their hands every 30 minutes while working on the dress.

Waight Keller revealed that she had about seven or eight meetings with Markle to design the dress. They started with several sketches, and then the pair would talk through the dress's lines, proportions, and scale. Waight Keller said that Markle "knows what she wants". The designer also explained that the pure white hue and delicate fabric of the dress required extra-special care, with hand-washing necessary for the embroiderers every 30 minutes.

Markle's wedding dress was complemented by a 16-foot-long silk tulle veil, which featured a special trim embroidered with flowers from all 53 countries of the Commonwealth, as well as Wintersweet from Kensington Palace and the California poppy, representing her home state. The veil also included her "something blue", a piece of fabric from her first date with Prince Harry.

Markle's second wedding dress, worn to the evening reception, was also inspired by Bessette-Kennedy. The silk crepe halter-neck gown was designed by Stella McCartney and featured a small train. Markle accessorised the dress with an emerald-cut aquamarine ring that once belonged to Princess Diana.

Meghan's something blue was hidden in her veil

Meghan Markle's "something blue" was a hidden patch of fabric from the dress she wore on her first date with Prince Harry. The fabric was stitched into her 16-foot-long silk veil, designed by British stylist and Givenchy designer Clare Waight Keller. Markle revealed this detail in the ITV documentary Queen of the World, which aired in September 2018.

Markle's veil also featured 53 embroidered flowers, representing each country of the Commonwealth, as well as Wintersweet from Kensington Palace and the California Poppy, the state flower of California, where she is from. Embroidered crops of wheat, symbolising love and charity, were placed at the front of the veil.

In the documentary, Markle explained that it was important for her to include a representation of all 53 Commonwealth countries, especially as she was now a part of the Royal Family. She also revealed that she kept the tribute to Harry's family a secret from him until their wedding day.

The dress and veil took five months to construct, and Markle chose Waight Keller due to the designer's "timeless and elegant aesthetic, impeccable tailoring and relaxed demeanor".

Harry and Meghan had 10 children in their wedding

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding ceremony was a grand affair, with an estimated 1.9 billion viewers tuning in to witness the royal couple exchange their vows. The wedding party included 10 children, with Prince Harry's nephew and niece, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, stealing the show. The other bridesmaids and page boys included Meghan's godchildren, Rylan and Remi Litt, and Jessica Mulroney's three children, Brian, John, and Ivy.

The young bridesmaids wore custom Givenchy dresses, with short puff sleeves, pockets, and pleated skirts, along with flower crowns that matched Meghan's bouquet. The page boys wore miniature versions of the Blues and Royals frock coat, with their initials embroidered on the shoulder straps.

The children's presence added a touch of whimsy and joy to the royal wedding, and their well-behaved participation was noted as a "miracle" by the couple. The inclusion of children in the wedding party reflected the couple's desire to make the grand event feel intimate and personal, despite the large scale and public nature of the celebration.

The wedding ceremony was held at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, with the reception taking place at St. George's Hall and Frogmore House. The guest list included a mix of British royals and American A-listers, making it a truly star-studded event.

Harry and Meghan's wedding cake broke from royal tradition

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding cake was a lemon and elderflower cake decorated with peonies in shades of white and cream. The cake was designed by London-based baker Claire Ptak, who owns Violet Cakes in London. The cake broke from royal tradition in several ways.

Firstly, royal wedding cakes are traditionally fruit cakes. Fruit cakes have been the flavour of choice for royal weddings for years. They are made with a simple batter, paired with dried fruits that have been reconstituted in juice or liquor, along with chopped nuts and dates. Harry and Meghan opted for a lighter flavour, inspired by their spring wedding date.

Secondly, royal wedding cakes typically stand tall, astonishing onlookers with their grandeur. Previous royal wedding cakes have featured multiple tiers, standing several feet tall. Harry and Meghan chose a more modest display of multiple cakes, with two single-tiered cakes and one two-tiered cake.

Thirdly, royal wedding cakes have traditionally been covered in royal icing. Royal icing is used for its smooth consistency and workability. Harry and Meghan opted for a classic wedding cake frosting – a luscious Swiss meringue buttercream.

Finally, Harry and Meghan's cake was assembled at Windsor Castle on the morning of the wedding. Traditionally, royal wedding cakes are baked and iced at Buckingham Palace and then transported to the wedding venue.

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