Royal Wedding Guest List: Who's Invited?

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a star-studded affair, with the couple having many high-profile friends. Around 600 people were invited to the ceremony at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, on Saturday, May 19. The guest list was kept tightly under wraps, but it's thought that Harry's family, including the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, were in attendance. Princess Charlotte and Prince George were a bridesmaid and page boy, respectively. Harry's uncle, Prince Andrew, was also in attendance, but his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, was not. Markle's family was less accustomed to the spotlight, but her mother, Doria Ragland, was there, and her father, Thomas Markle, was expected to attend but pulled out at the last minute due to health reasons. Markle's two goddaughters, Remi and Rylan Litt, were also bridesmaids, and her close friends, including stylist Jessica Mulroney, Indian actress Priyanka Chopra, and tennis star Serena Williams, were in attendance. Harry's friends included ushers Tom Inskip and Guy Pelly, as well as Army comrades he served with in Afghanistan, and singer James Blunt, whom he served with in the British Army.

Family members of the royal couple

Prince Harry's family

• Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip
• Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall
• Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, who acted as best man
• Princess Charlotte and Prince George, who were a bridesmaid and page boy, respectively
• Prince Andrew, Harry's uncle
• Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, Harry's cousins
• Earl Charles Spencer, Harry's maternal uncle
• Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes, Harry's maternal aunts

Meghan Markle's family

Doria Ragland, Meghan's mother

Meghan's father, Thomas Markle Sr., was initially expected to walk his daughter down the aisle, but he did not attend the wedding.

Celebrities

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a star-studded affair, with the couple having many high-profile friends. Around 600 people were invited to the service, which took place at St George's Chapel on Saturday, May 19.

Many celebrities were spotted at the wedding, including:

• George and Amal Clooney
• David and Victoria Beckham
• Sir Elton John, who performed at the after-party
• James Blunt and his wife Sofia
• Oprah Winfrey
• Idris Elba and Sabrina Dhowre
• Tom Hardy and his wife Charlotte
• Serena Williams and her husband Alexis Ohanian
• Priyanka Chopra
• Patrick J Adams and his wife Troian Bellisario
• Rick Hoffman
• Vanessa Ray
• Gina Torres
• Gabriel Macht
• Sarah Rafferty
• Abigail Spencer
• Carey Mulligan and Marcus Mumford
• Jonny Wilkinson and Shelley Jenkins
• Former Prime Minister Sir John Major and his wife Norma
• Nacho Figueras and his wife Delfina Blaquier
• Joss Stone
• Rugby legend Sir Clive Woodward and his wife Jayne Williams
• Ellie Goulding

Several of Meghan's Suits co-stars were also in attendance, including:

• Sarah Rafferty
• Gina Torres
• Abigail Spencer
• Patrick J Adams
• Rick Hoffman
• Vanessa Ray
• Gabriel Macht

Harry also invited two of his ex-girlfriends, Cressida Bonas and Chelsy Davy.

Political leaders

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a private affair, not a state occasion, and was paid for by the royal family. This meant that the couple was not obliged to invite political leaders. As such, the guest list was notably absent of several big political names, including US President Donald Trump, Barack and Michelle Obama, and UK Prime Minister Theresa May.

However, former Conservative Prime Minister Sir John Major and his wife, Norma, were among the guests. Sir John was appointed as a special guardian to Prince Harry and his brother, Prince William, following the death of their mother, Princess Diana, in 1997.

A Kensington Palace spokesman explained prior to the event:

> "It has been decided that an official list of political leaders – both UK and international – is not required for Prince Harry and Ms Markle's wedding. Her Majesty's Government was consulted on this decision, which was taken by The Royal Household."

Charity workers

• CHIVA (Children's HIV Association)
• Crisis, the national charity for homeless people
• Myna Mahila Foundation, empowering women in Mumbai's slums
• Scotty's Little Soldiers, supporting bereaved Armed Forces children
• StreetGames, using sport to change lives
• Surfers Against Sewage, a national marine conservation charity
• The Wilderness Foundation UK, promoting the benefits of wild nature

In addition to these seven charities, the couple also invited members of the public who had demonstrated strong leadership in their communities to the Windsor Castle grounds.

Members of the public

While the wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry was a private affair, the couple did invite members of the public to share in their special day.

The couple invited 2,640 members of the public to the grounds of Windsor Castle, including 1,200 people who have demonstrated strong leadership in their communities.

Among those invited were:

• Amelia Thompson, a 12-year-old schoolgirl who was caught up in the Manchester Arena attack in 2017.
• Zoe Ardunell, a 20-year-old volunteer at Valley Kids charity, helping disadvantaged families.
• Reuben Litherland, a 14-year-old deaf pupil who is teaching his classmates sign language.
• Rosie Gindway, a 34-year-old entrepreneur who owns a baking business in Birmingham.
• Pamela Anomneze, a 52-year-old who uses art to help people with mental health issues.
• Amy Wright, a 26-year-old volunteer social enterprise worker who chairs The Usual Place cafe in Dumfries, providing training opportunities to adults with additional support needs.
• Jorja Furze, a 12-year-old schoolgirl born with one leg who became a charity ambassador and mental health champion.
• Catherine Cooke, a 53-year-old coordinator at the Foyle Women's Information Network.
• Julie-Ann Coll, a 35-year-old who runs a support group for parents dealing with child bereavement.
• Tessa Hince and Hayley Ash, both 32, who run a Christmas community lunch in Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire, catering for people who are lonely during the holidays.
• Philip Gillespie, a 30-year-old who lost a leg in a bomb blast in Afghanistan and now raises funds for an Army charity.

The couple also invited 530 members of staff from the Royal Household and Crown Estate and more than 600 people from the Windsor Castle community.

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