Deborah Chan
More than 250 members of the British Armed Forces took part in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in May 2018. The units involved included the Royal Navy, Army, and Royal Air Force, as well as the Household Cavalry, the Blues and Royals, and the 1st Battalion Irish Guards. Prince Harry had a long military career, serving in the Army for a decade and undertaking two tours in Afghanistan, rising to the rank of Captain. He also served as Commodore-in-Chief, Small Ships and Diving with the Royal Navy, and as Captain General of the Royal Marines.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of the wedding | 19 May 2018 |
| Number of members of the Armed Forces performing ceremonial duties | More than 250 |
| Military units with a special relationship with Prince Harry | The Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force, Blues and Royals, 3 Regiment Army Air Corps, 656 Squadron, 4 Regiment Army Air Corps, 662 Squadron, 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, 1st Battalion Irish Guards |
| Military units providing ceremonial support | Household Cavalry, State Trumpeters, Captain's Escort |
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What You'll Learn
The Blues and Royals
The regiment was formed in 1969 by the amalgamation of The Royal Horse Guards and The Royal Dragoons (1st Dragoons), both of which had origins in the mid-17th century. The Blues and Royals is the second most senior regiment in the British Army and has served in numerous conflicts, including the Falklands War, the Iraq War, and the War in Afghanistan.
Prince Harry served as a cornet in The Blues and Royals, following his commission as a second lieutenant after completing his officer training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He served briefly with his older brother, Prince William, who also joined the regiment as a cornet in 2006.
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The Household Cavalry Regiment
Members of the Household Cavalry played a significant role in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding. As part of the wedding arrangements, they formed a staircase party at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, where the ceremony was held. The State Trumpeters and a Captain's Escort from the Household Cavalry also provided ceremonial support.
Prince Harry served in the British Army for a decade, during which he undertook two tours of Afghanistan and rose to the rank of Captain. His military career began with officer training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 2005, and he joined the Household Cavalry Regiment the following year. His service in Afghanistan included a deployment to Helmand Province in 2007 and a 20-week deployment with the Army Air Corps between 2012 and 2013.
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The Army Air Corps
A contingent of 25 soldiers from 3 Regt AAC lined the streets outside St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle on Prince Harry's wedding day, presenting a Royal Salute to the newlyweds. Their role at the wedding marked the historic and personal bonds between the military and the Royal Family.
Lieutenant Colonel Nick English, 3 Regt AAC’s Commanding Officer, said: "For the Regiment, it is a huge honour to have had Prince Harry in our ranks and to be on parade at his wedding. But we are proud of the contribution made by all the air and ground crew who served in Afghanistan, the Apache’s first deployment, and we are building on the lessons learned as we prepare for future operations."
Corporal Stuart Armstrong, an aviation communications specialist, worked with Prince Harry during his flight training at Wattisham and was on parade at the wedding.
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The Royal Gurkha Rifles
The Rifles' connection with the Royal Family strengthened when Prince Harry served with the 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles in Afghanistan in 2007-2008. During his time in Helmand Province, Prince Harry earned the respect of his fellow soldiers, who described him as a "favourite among the troops". The Prince's admiration for the Gurkhas was also evident, as he famously commented, "When you know you are with the Gurkhas, I think there’s no safer place to be."
Prince Harry's connection with the Royal Gurkha Rifles continued beyond his military service. In 2008, the Gurkha soldiers paid him the ultimate tribute by presenting him with a Kukri, their traditional combat knife, and honouring him as an honorary Gurkha. This ceremony acknowledged Prince Harry's leadership and camaraderie with these fearless warriors.
Given this longstanding and esteemed association, it came as no surprise that Gurkha soldiers were invited to play a ceremonial role at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in 2018. More than 250 members of the Armed Forces participated in the royal nuptials, with units that held a special relationship with Prince Harry providing ceremonial support. Among the distinguished Gurkha soldiers in attendance was Captain Chandrabahadur Pun, who served alongside Prince Harry in Afghanistan. The presence of the Royal Gurkha Rifles at the wedding symbolised the enduring bond between the regiment and the Royal Family.
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The Irish Guards
The 1st Battalion Irish Guards were among the military units that participated in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding. More than 250 members of the Armed Forces, including those with a "special connection" to Prince Harry, performed ceremonial duties around Windsor Castle, where the wedding took place.
The inclusion of the Irish Guards in Prince Harry's wedding highlights the strong bond between the military and the Royal Family. It also underscores the importance that Prince Harry places on his military career and his appreciation for the support of his fellow servicemen and women.
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Frequently asked questions
Servicemen and women from the Royal Navy, Army, and Royal Air Force took part in Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle. More than 250 soldiers from different regiments with a "special connection" to Prince Harry performed ceremonial duties.
Prince Harry served in the British Armed Forces for a decade, rising to the rank of Captain. He was part of the Household Cavalry Regiment, known as the Blues and Royals, and trained with the Army Air Corps. He was deployed to Afghanistan twice.
Members of the Armed Forces performed ceremonial duties, including a staircase party at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, where the ceremony was held. They also lined the streets within the precincts of the castle and provided musical accompaniment.
The military holds great significance for Prince Harry, and he is grateful for their support. He wanted to honour the historic and personal bonds between the military and the Royal Family.
Yes, the Household Cavalry, the Windsor Castle Guard from the 1st Battalion Irish Guards, and the 3 Regiment Army Air Corps (3 Regt AAC) were among the units with a special connection to Prince Harry that participated in the wedding.
