Harry And Meghan's Sentimental Wedding Date Choice

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding date of May 19, 2018, was unusual for several reasons. Firstly, it fell on a Saturday, breaking with the royal tradition of holding weddings during the week. Secondly, it was the same date as the FA Cup Final, which Prince Harry's brother, William, normally attends in his role as President of the Football Association. Finally, the date was chosen despite it not being a bank holiday, allowing crowds to gather and celebrate the royal nuptials.

Harry and Meghan broke with tradition by marrying on a Saturday

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding on Saturday, May 19, 2018, broke with British royal tradition, as royal weddings usually take place during the week. The couple's choice of a weekend wedding meant there was no bank holiday for the UK, unlike the weddings of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, which took place on a Friday, and Prince Charles and Princess Diana, which was on a Wednesday. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip also married on a Thursday.

Harry and Meghan's wedding was held at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, with the ceremony conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. The bride, an American former actress, wore a custom boatneck wedding gown by Givenchy Haute Couture, while the groom, a member of the British royal family, wore a Blues and Royals frock coat uniform.

The wedding was attended by around 600 guests, including senior members of the royal family, American A-listers, and 2,000 members of the public. The ceremony included several breaks with tradition, such as Meghan's walk down the aisle, the choice of music, and an important moment with the groom's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.

The newlyweds added their personal touches throughout the ceremony and reception, including their choice of wedding cake, which broke with the traditional fruitcake, and the inclusion of American cultural elements. The couple also chose to exchange rings, with Prince Harry wearing a wedding band, unlike most male members of the royal family.

The wedding date was common among other engaged couples

The wedding date of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was common among other engaged couples. Wedding planning site Bridebook reported that half of all weddings take place in May, and that 2,800 couples were also expected to get married on May 19, making it the 23rd most popular wedding date for 2018.

The choice of a Saturday wedding was also a break from royal tradition, as royal weddings have typically been held on weekdays. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip got married on a Thursday, Prince William and Kate Middleton on a Friday, and Prince Charles and Princess Diana on a Wednesday.

The wedding venue, St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, was also a popular choice for other royal couples. It has previously been the venue for the weddings of Prince Harry's uncle, the Earl of Wessex, his cousin, Peter Phillips, and for the blessing of the marriage of the then Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, Harry's stepmother.

The wedding was held at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle

St George's Chapel was founded in the 14th century by King Edward III and extensively enlarged in the late 15th century. It is located in the Lower Ward of the castle, which has belonged to the monarchy for almost 1,000 years. The chapel has been the site of many royal services, weddings, and burials.

The architecture of the chapel is one of the finest examples of Perpendicular Gothic style in the country. The interior of the chapel has been developed over the years to commemorate key figures in royal history and the history of the chapel itself. For example, the octagonal Bray Chapel is named after Sir Reginald Bray, a friend of Henry VIII and benefactor of the Chapel.

The chapel has been the site of many royal weddings, particularly during the reign of Queen Victoria. More recently, it was the venue for the weddings of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank in 2019, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, in 2018.

The wedding fell on the same day as the FA Cup Final

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle fell on the same day as the FA Cup Final, which is typically attended by Prince Harry's brother, William, in his role as President of the Football Association.

The FA Cup Final, officially named The Football Association Challenge Cup Final Tie, is the showpiece finale of the English football season. It is a knockout competition, open to all clubs in the top 10 levels of the English football league system. The tournament usually takes place in May, at the end of the league season, and has been held at Wembley Stadium since 2007.

The 2018 FA Cup Final, which coincided with the royal wedding, was contested by Chelsea and Manchester United, with Chelsea emerging as the winner.

In December 2017, Kensington Palace had released a statement saying that the timing of the wedding would not clash with the match. However, it was later confirmed that Prince William would not be attending the final.

The date was chosen almost a year after their engagement was announced

The choice of a Saturday wedding was a break with tradition, but it was a popular choice for the couple, who got engaged in an intimate manner. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wedding date was also a common choice for other couples, as wedding planning site Bridebook reported that half of all weddings take place in May, and 2,800 couples were expected to marry on May 19, making it the 23rd most popular wedding date for 2018.

The timing of the wedding was also significant, as it took place almost a year after their engagement was announced on November 27, 2017. The length of their engagement was in line with other royal engagements, such as that of William and Kate, who announced their engagement in November 2010 and were married five months later in April 2011.

Frequently asked questions