Lyla Dejesus
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding was held on Saturday 19 May 2018 at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, near London. The couple tied the knot in a fairytale wedding, captivating the world with an estimated 1.9 billion viewers tuning in to watch the ceremony. The royal wedding was broadcast on NBC and other major US networks, with NBC's coverage setting a jovial tone.
What You'll Learn
NBC's coverage of the wedding
NBC's coverage of the royal wedding between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on May 19, 2018, was loose and jovial in tone. The network set the mood by establishing a running joke that every time James Blunt appeared on screen, someone would burst into his song "You're Beautiful". This was coupled with an ecstatic cry of "Royalty has arrived!" when George and Amal Clooney turned up, and a passing shrug when the Queen finally graced St. George's Chapel with her presence.
NBC also adopted the tactic of bringing in a British royal correspondent to calmly explain the traditions of the ceremony. Common topics included Princess Diana, the professionalism of the armed units marching, and a focus on Prince Charles as the forgotten hero of the proceedings.
NBC's coverage also included dispatches from Megyn Kelly, Kathie Lee Gifford, and Al Roker, who were dispersed among the crowds. Kelly and Gifford even held out hope that they might bag a last-minute invite.
The tone of the conversation surrounding Markle herself was protective and hesitant about the future. Given that Markle is a modern, feminist woman, the focus was on her potential work as an ambassador for the Commonwealth, rather than any old tropes of the fairytale princess.
There was also a touch of anthropological interest in the workings of the British people. NBC's Gayle King, for example, was fascinated by the concept of "luxury coaches" being used to ferry guests, as if the idea of above-standard public transport was alien to the US.
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The wedding's US TV coverage
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was televised in the US on NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, PBS, E!, BBC America, TLC, HBO & CNN. NBC's coverage began as early as 4 a.m. EST, with special correspondents including Megyn Kelly, Kathie Lee Gifford, and Al Roker, who were dispersed among the crowds. NBC's coverage was loose and jovial in tone, with running jokes about James Blunt and George and Amal Clooney.
ABC's coverage was more muted, despite the presence of Kathie Lee and Hoda. ABC's Deborah Roberts was positioned on a platform along the Long Walk, wearing a teapot hat and surrounded by an army of flags and banners. CBS's Gayle King, meanwhile, channelled her "inner Beyoncé" by changing her hat/fascinator every hour, and sharing secrets about the day's reception programme.
The royal wedding was also streamed live online on YouTube via the British Monarchy's official channel, The Royal Channel.
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The wedding's guest list
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on 19 May 2018 was a star-studded affair, with a guest list of 600 people, including members of the royal family, celebrities, and close friends of the couple.
The Royal Family
The royal family was well-represented at the wedding, with Prince Harry's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, and grandfather, Prince Philip, in attendance. Prince Harry's father, Prince Charles, walked Meghan Markle down the aisle and also gave a speech at the lunchtime reception. Other members of the royal family present included Prince Harry's brother and best man, Prince William, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, and Prince Harry's aunt, Baroness Fellowes, who read a scripture lesson from The Song of Solomon.
Celebrities
The celebrity guest list included George and Amal Clooney, David and Victoria Beckham, and Elton John, who performed at the after-party. Other celebrities spotted at the wedding included Oprah Winfrey, Idris Elba, Tom Hardy, James Corden, Joss Stone, Will Greenwood, James Haskell, Johnny Wilkinson, Nacho Figueras, and James Blunt.
Meghan Markle's Friends
Meghan Markle's friends from her hit television show "Suits" added a touch of "LA cool" to the wedding. These included Sarah Rafferty, Gina Torres, Abigail Spencer, Patrick J. Adams, and Gabriel Macht. Other close friends of Markle who were present included Jessica Mulroney and her husband, Benedict, Indian actress Priyanka Chopra, tennis superstar Serena Williams, and actress Janina Gavankar.
Prince Harry's Friends
Prince Harry's friends who attended the wedding included his ex-girlfriends, Chelsy Davy and Cressida Bonas, and comrades from his military days, including singer James Blunt.
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The wedding's venue
The wedding venue, St George's Chapel, is located on the grounds of Windsor Castle, about 20 miles west of London, where Queen Elizabeth II lives for part of the year. The 15th-century building has a rich history, having served as the site of numerous royal weddings, including those of Queen Victoria's children. It is also the final resting place of several monarchs, including King George VI, the Queen Mother Elizabeth, and King Edward VII, among others.
The choice of venue held special significance for the couple. In a statement, Kensington Palace Communications Secretary Jason Knauf said, "Prince Harry and Ms. Markle are delighted that the beautiful grounds of Windsor Castle will be where they begin their lives together as a married couple."
The chapel also holds personal significance for the royal family, as it is the burial place of Prince Harry's grandparents, Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
The wedding ceremony was conducted according to the Christian liturgy for Holy Matrimony, as set out in Common Worship of the Church of England. The Dean of Windsor, David Conner, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, officiated the service, with the latter also performing the marriage ceremony.
The historic venue, with its royal connections and picturesque setting, provided a fitting backdrop for the union of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, creating a memorable and solemn atmosphere for the couple's special day.
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The wedding's cake
The Wedding Cake
The wedding cake was created by Claire Ptak, owner of Violet Cakes in East London. The cake was a lemon and elderflower cake, a departure from the traditional fruit cake typically served at royal weddings. Ptak described the cake as having a special sponge that she developed specifically for the couple. The cake was drizzled with elderflower cordial from the Queen's Sandringham estate in Norfolk and covered in elderflower Swiss meringue buttercream. It was adorned with 150 fresh flowers, including peonies and roses, the bride's favourite flower.
The cake consisted of two single-tiered cakes and one two-tier cake, a unique display that emphasised different heights and sizes. It took six bakers five days to prepare the cake in the kitchen at Buckingham Palace. Ptak said that she was delighted to be chosen to make the cake, as the couple shared her values of "food provenance, sustainability, seasonality, and flavour".
The ingredients used to make the cake included 200 Amalfi lemons, 500 organic eggs, 44 pounds of butter, 44 pounds of flour, 44 pounds of sugar, and 10 bottles of Sandringham Elderflower Cordial. The cordial, made from flowers harvested at one of Queen Elizabeth's private homes, added a floral flavour to the cake. The cake was estimated to cost $70,000, with each slice valued at around $100.
The cake was well-received, with Ptak describing the flavour as a balance of sweet, tart, and ethereal. The couple loved the cake so much that they enlisted Ptak to make a similar cake for their daughter Lilibet's first birthday. The birthday cake had a strawberry buttercream and was decorated with pink and white flowers.
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Frequently asked questions
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got married on Saturday, May 19, 2018.
The wedding took place at St. George's Chapel, a 15th-century building on the grounds of Windsor Castle, about 20 miles west of London.
NBC's coverage of the royal wedding was loose and jovial in tone. They established the running joke that every time James Blunt appeared on screen, someone would burst into "You're Beautiful". They also ecstatically cried, "Royalty has arrived!" when George and Amal Clooney turned up.
