Junior Rasmussen
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was one of the most-viewed TV events of 2018, with an estimated 29 million viewers in the US alone. The ceremony was carried live on 15 networks, with an additional 6.9 million interactions on Facebook and Twitter. While the wedding was one of the most-watched royal weddings, it did not surpass that of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer in 1981, which drew in an estimated 28 million viewers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of the wedding | 19 May 2018 |
| Number of guests invited to the religious ceremony | 1,900 |
| Number of guests invited to the luncheon at Buckingham Palace | 600 |
| Number of guests at the church ceremony | 600 |
| Number of guests at the evening reception at Frogmore House | 200 |
| Number of members of the public who watched the wedding inside Windsor Castle's grounds | 2,640 |
| Number of people who tuned in to watch the wedding on TV | 29.19 million |
| Number of US households that watched the wedding | 23.7 million |
| Number of people who watched the wedding worldwide | 1.9 billion |
| Number of interactions across Facebook and Twitter | 6.9 million |
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What You'll Learn
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding had 29 million viewers
On Saturday, 19 May 2018, an estimated 29 million people tuned in to watch the royal wedding of Prince Harry of Wales and American actress Meghan Markle. The ceremony took place at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, England. The wedding was carried live on 15 networks from 7:00 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. EST.
The royal wedding averaged 29 million total viewers across 15 channels, led by NBC. This number represents a bit less than a tenth of all US residents. Notably, this number far exceeded the 2011 nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton, which garnered 22.8 million viewers across 11 networks.
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was the third most-watched royal wedding. The biggest ever UK TV audience for a royal wedding was recorded in July 1981, when an estimated 28 million watched Prince Charles marry Lady Diana Spencer.
The wedding ceremony was broadcast live by ABC (inclusive of Freeform simulcast), BBC America, CBS, CNN, CNNe, E!, Fox News Channel, HLN, MSNBC, NBC, PBS, Telemundo, TLC, and Univision. There were also 6.9 million total interactions across Facebook and Twitter regarding the royal wedding, according to Nielsen data.
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It was the third most-watched royal wedding
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was the third most-watched royal wedding. The couple tied the knot on 19 May 2018 at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, England.
The royal wedding averaged 29 million viewers across 15 channels, according to Nielsen data. This figure is based on the number of viewers who tuned in when the ceremony officially started at 7 a.m. EST and ended at 8:15 a.m. EST. There were also 6.9 million interactions across Facebook and Twitter regarding the wedding.
While the wedding was one of the highest-rated TV events, it did not surpass the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, which drew 22.8 million viewers. The biggest TV audience for a royal wedding was recorded in July 1981 when an estimated 28 million watched Prince Charles marry Lady Diana Spencer.
The high viewership of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, Markle's American nationality drew a larger American audience. Secondly, the wedding started at a more reasonable hour than that of William and Kate, which began even earlier, at 5 a.m. EST. Lastly, the couple allowed 2,640 members of the public to watch the wedding inside Windsor Castle's grounds, creating a festive atmosphere and generating public interest.
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More Americans watched than Brits
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding was the third most-watched royal wedding. However, it was the most-watched royal wedding in the US, with an estimated 29 million viewers. The wedding was aired live on 15 networks in the US, including ABC, BBC America, CBS, CNN, and NBC, among others. The ceremony officially started at 7 a.m. EST and ended at 8:15 a.m. EST.
The high viewership in the US can be attributed to the fact that Meghan Markle is American, and so American audiences were naturally more interested. Additionally, the wedding took place on a Saturday, a weekend when people typically sleep in, but millions of Americans woke up early to tune in.
In comparison, the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011 garnered significantly fewer viewers in the US, with 22.8 million viewers across 11 networks.
While the exact number of British viewers for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding is unclear, it is estimated that the biggest UK TV audience for a royal wedding was recorded in July 1981 when an estimated 28 million watched Prince Charles marry Lady Diana Spencer.
Therefore, it can be assumed that more Americans watched the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle than Brits, given the higher number of American viewers and the fact that royal weddings tend to be more popular in the UK.
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It was aired on 15 channels
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was aired live on 15 channels. The ceremony, which took place at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, was watched by an estimated 29 million viewers in the US. The wedding was also aired on ABC, BBC America, CBS, CNN, CNNe, E!, Fox News Channel, HLN, MSNBC, NBC, PBS, Telemundo, TLC, and Univision. The high number of viewers can be attributed to the fact that Markle is American, thus drawing a larger American audience.
The royal wedding was one of the highest-rated TV events of the year. It averaged 29 million total viewers across 15 channels, led by NBC. Notably, this number exceeded the 2011 nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton, which garnered 22.8 million viewers across 11 networks. The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was the third most-watched royal wedding, with the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer in 1981 taking the top spot with an estimated 28 million viewers.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex invited around 2,640 members of the public to watch their wedding inside the grounds of Windsor Castle. The wedding ceremony itself was attended by 600 guests, while only 200 close family members and friends were invited to the evening reception at Frogmore House. The royal wedding was a highly anticipated event, with a survey conducted before the wedding foreshadowing that it would be a major ratings draw.
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a highly publicized event that drew a large number of viewers. The live coverage on 15 channels contributed to the high viewership, making it one of the most-watched royal weddings in recent history.
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The Super Bowl drew more viewers
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding was one of the most-viewed TV events of 2018, with an estimated 29 million viewers in the US alone. However, the Super Bowl drew more viewers, with 103.4 million viewers tuning in, making it the most-watched program of that year.
The royal wedding was broadcast live on 15 different channels, including ABC, BBC America, CBS, CNN, and NBC, and drew a significant audience, both in the US and internationally. The ceremony took place at 7 am ET, and many Americans woke up early to watch. The wedding was also a popular topic on social media, with 6.9 million interactions on Facebook and Twitter, further extending its reach beyond traditional television audiences.
While the royal wedding captivated millions, the Super Bowl attracted an even larger audience. With over 100 million viewers, it was a testament to the popularity of the event and the power of television to bring people together. The Super Bowl's massive viewership also highlights the appeal of live sporting events and their ability to draw a broad audience, even in an era of declining traditional television ratings.
The Super Bowl's high viewership can be attributed to several factors, including the excitement and unpredictability of live sports, the popularity of the teams involved, and the cultural significance of the event. Additionally, the Super Bowl has become known for its spectacular halftime shows and highly anticipated commercials, further contributing to its appeal and attracting viewers who may not typically watch football.
In comparison, while Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding was highly anticipated and drew a substantial audience, it did not surpass the Super Bowl's viewership. The wedding was expected to be a major ratings draw, and it did not disappoint, outperforming the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. However, it is worth noting that the Super Bowl has consistently been one of the most-watched television events annually, and its massive audience is a testament to its enduring popularity.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding was the third most-watched royal wedding. It drew a total of 29 million viewers across 15 channels, with 29.2 million Americans tuning in.
The biggest ever UK TV audience for a royal wedding was recorded in July 1981, when an estimated 28 million people watched Prince Charles marry Lady Diana Spencer.
Yes, Prince Harry's wedding was watched by more people than Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding in 2011, which garnered 22.8 million viewers across 11 networks.
