by Susan Flantzer © Unofficial Royalty 2018
Photo Credit – https://www.royal.uk, photo by Alex Lubomirski
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were married on May 19, 2018, at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle in Windsor, England. On the day of the wedding, Prince Harry was created Duke of Sussex, Earl of Dumbarton, and Baron Kilkeel. His wife is styled Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex.
- Unofficial Royalty: St. George’s Chapel in Windsor, England
- YouTube: The Royal Wedding 2018: Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle (Royal Family YouTube Channel)
The Family of Prince Harry
Prince Harry and his family in 1987; Photo Credit – www.dailymail.co.uk
HRH Prince Henry Charles Albert David was born on September 15, 1984, at St. Mary’s Hospital in the Paddington section of London. Known as Prince Harry, he was the second of the two children of Charles, The Prince of Wales, now King Charles III, and the former Lady Diana Spencer. At the time of his birth, Harry was third in line of succession behind his father and brother Prince William. Charles was the eldest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip of Greece. Upon his mother’s accession to the throne in 1952, Charles became her heir. He was created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester on July 26, 1958. In 2022, upon the death of his mother, Prince Harry’s father became King Charles III.
Diana was the third of the four surviving children of Edward John Spencer, 8th Earl Spencer and The Honourable Frances Ruth Roche, younger daughter of the 4th Baron Fermoy. The Spencer family is an old English noble family. Althorp in Northamptonshire, England has been the ancestral home of the Spencer family since the early 16th century. The Spencer family has served the British monarchy for centuries. Most recently, Diana’s grandmother, Lady Fermoy, was a close friend and a lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. Diana’s father served as equerry to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II. Among the Spencer family ancestors are the famous soldier and statesman John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough and his wife Sarah Jennings who was a close friend of Queen Anne, and King Charles II through four of his illegitimate children.
Harry’s older brother Prince William was born on June 21, 1982. Unfortunately, the marriage of Harry’s parents was not a happy one. The couple separated in December 1992 and divorced in August 1996. Exactly a year later, Diana, Princess of Wales tragically died in a car accident in Paris. Accompanied by their father, their grandfather Prince Philip, and their uncle the 9th Earl Spencer, William and his brother Harry walked behind their mother’s coffin during her funeral procession. In 2005, Harry’s father married Camilla Parker-Bowles with whom he had a romantic relationship before and during his marriage.
The Family of Meghan Markle
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Meghan and her mother Doria Ragland attend the Invictus Games with Prince Harry
Rachel Meghan Markle, born on August 4, 1981, in Los Angeles, California, is the daughter of Thomas Markle and Doria Ragland. Her father is a cinematographer and lighting director and worked on the primetime shows Married With Children and Facts of Life and the daytime shows General Hospital and Santa Barbara. He is the winner of two Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Direction for a Drama Series and was nominated six other times. Meghan’s mother has a master’s degree in social work and works as a clinical therapist and yoga instructor. Meghan told Elle magazine in 2016, “My dad is Caucasian and my mom is African American. I’m half black and half white.” Meghan has two much older half-siblings from her father’s first marriage: Samantha Markle Grant born in 1965 and Thomas Markle Jr. born in 1966.
Meghan grew up and was educated at private schools in Los Angeles, California. She attended elementary school at Hollywood Little Red Schoolhouse and then attended Immaculate Heart High School, an all-girls high school. Meghan graduated from Northwestern University in Chicago Illinois in 2003 with a double major in theater and international relations. In 2011, Meghan married her long-time boyfriend Trevor Engelson, a film and television producer. The couple divorced in 2013.
Growing up in Hollywood and with a lighting director as a father, Meghan was around the entertainment industry and knew she would end up in show business in some capacity. Her first acting job was a one-episode role on the daytime show General Hospital in 2002. Thereafter, she had small roles on television shows and in several films. To help support herself, Meghan took on freelance calligraphy jobs. Starting in 2011, Meghan appeared on Suits, an American legal drama television series, playing Rachel Zane, a senior paralegal with dreams of going to law school.
The Engagement
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s personal relationship started in June 2016, when they were introduced by a mutual friend. On November 8, 2016, Kensington Palace confirmed Meghan was “a few months” into a relationship with Prince Harry in a statement from the prince asking for the media harassment of Meghan and her family to end.
The engagement of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was announced on November 27, 2017. They became engaged earlier in November 2017 in London. Meghan was the second American and the first person of mixed-race heritage to marry into the British royal family.
The Succession to the Crown Act 2013 states that the monarch must approve or disapprove marriages of the first six persons in the line of succession. Because Harry was fifth in the line of succession to the British throne at the time of his engagement, it was necessary that he obtain Queen Elizabeth II’s permission to marry. The Queen’s consent was declared to the Privy Council of the United Kingdom on March 14, 2018.
Instead of wedding presents, Harry and Meghan requested that people make a charitable donation and provided a list of seven organizations:
- CHIVA (Children’s HIV Association): supports more than 1,000 young people living with HIV in the UK and Ireland
- Crisis: works with homeless people to help rebuild their lives
- The Myna Mahila Foundation: helps empower Indian women through offering stable employment, breaking cultural taboos, and teaching women life skills
- Scotty’s Little Soldiers: supports children who have lost a parent while serving in the British Armed Forces
- StreetGames: uses sport to help young people and communities become healthier and safer
- Surfers Against Sewage: works to protect oceans, beaches, waves, and wildlife
- The Wilderness Foundation UK: teaches vulnerable teenagers from urban communities about the great outdoors and rural employment opportunities
The Engagement Ring
Meghan Markle’s engagement ring was designed by Prince Harry with the help of Cleave and Company, court jewelers to The Queen. The ring which is on a gold band features a cushion diamond from Botswana and two outside stones from the personal collection of Harry’s mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.
Partial Guest List
About 600 people were invited to the wedding service at St. George’s Chapel. The guests arrived at the Round Tower of Windsor Castle by bus and then walked to the South Door of St. George’s Chapel. At 11:20 AM, members of the royal family made their way from Windsor Castle either by foot or by car and entered St. George’s Chapel via the Galilee Porch.
British Royal Family
- Queen Elizabeth II: Harry’s grandmother
- Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh: Harry’s grandfather
- Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales: Harry’s father
- Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall: Harry’s stepmother
- Prince William, Duke of Cambridge: Harry’s brother and best man
- Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge: Harry’s sister-in-law
- Prince Andrew, Duke of York: Harry’s paternal uncle and godfather
- Princess Beatrice of York: Harry’s paternal first cousin
- Princess Eugenie of York: Harry’s paternal first cousin
- Jack Brooksbank: fiancé of Princess Eugenie of York
- Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex: Harry’s paternal uncle
- Sophie, Countess of Wessex: wife of the Earl of Wessex
- Lady Louise Windsor: Harry’s paternal first cousin
- James, Viscount Severn: Harry’s paternal first cousin
- Anne, Princess Royal: Harry’s paternal aunt
- Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence: husband of Anne, Princess Royal
- Peter Phillips: Harry’s paternal first cousin
- Autumn Phillips: Peter Phillips’s wife
- Zara Tindall: Harry’s paternal first cousin
- Mike Tindall: Zara Tindall’s husband
- David Armstrong-Jones, 2nd Earl of Snowdon: the late Princess Margaret’s son, nephew of Queen Elizabeth II
- Serena Armstrong-Jones, Countess of Snowdon: Earl of Snowdon’s wife
- Charles Armstrong-Jones, Viscount Linley: Earl of Snowdon’s son
- Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones: Earl of Snowdon’s daughter
- Lady Sarah Chatto: the late Princess Margaret’s daughter, Harry’s godmother, niece of Queen Elizabeth II
- Daniel Chatto: Lady Sarah Chatto’s husband
- Arthur Chatto: Lady Sarah Chatto’s son
- Samuel Chatto: Lady Sarah Chatto’s son
- Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester: Queen Elizabeth II’s paternal first cousin
- Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester: Duke of Gloucester’s wife
- Prince Edward, Duke of Kent: Queen Elizabeth II’s paternal first cousin
- Katharine, Duchess of Kent: Duke of Kents’s wife
- Prince Michael of Kent: Queen Elizabeth II’s paternal first cousin
- Princess Michael of Kent (Marie-Christine): Prince Michael of Kent’s wife
- Princess Alexandra, The Honorable Lady Ogilvy: Queen Elizabeth II’s paternal first cousin
Meghan Markle’s Family
- Doria Ragland: Meghan’s mother
Spencer Family
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Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer and his wife Karen Spencer, Countess Spencer
- Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer: Harry’s maternal uncle
- Karen Spencer, Countess Spencer: Earl Spencer’s third wife
- Louis Spencer, Viscount Althorp: Harry’s maternal first cousin
- Lady Kitty Spencer: Harry’s maternal first cousin
- Lady Eliza Spencer: Harry’s maternal first cousin
- Lady Sarah McCorquodale: Harry’s maternal aunt
- Neil McCorquodale: Lady Sarah’s husband
- Emily Hutt, Harry’s first maternal cousin, and her husband James Hutt
- George McCorquodale, Harry’s first maternal cousin
- Celia McCorquodale, Harry’s first maternal cousin
- Lady Jane Fellowes, Baroness Fellowes: Harry’s maternal aunt
- Robert Fellowes, Baron Fellowes: Lady Jane’s husband
- Laura Pettman, Harry’s maternal first cousin
- Alexander Fellowes, Harry’s first maternal cousin
- Eleanor Fellowes, Harry’s first maternal cousin
- Victoria Aitken: Earl Spencer’s first wife, the mother of his four eldest children
Foreign Royalty
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Prince Seeiso arrives with an unidentified woman
Prince Seeiso of Lesotho and his wife were the only foreign royalty attending the wedding.
- Prince Seeiso of Lesotho: a friend of Harry and co-founder, with Harry, of the charity Sentebale
- Princess Mabereng of Lesotho: wife of Prince Seeiso
Guests Sitting in the Quire (besides family members)
- Alessandra Balazs: Harry’s friend, became friends with Meghan
- Carolyn Bartholomew: Harry’s godmother, friend of Diana, Princess of Wales, and her husband William Bartholomew
- George Clooney: American actor, and his wife human rights lawyer Amal Clooney
- Nicholas Walton Collins: Meghan’s former agent, and his wife Amelia Walton Collins
- Adrian Dandridge: community worker in Botswana
- Sophie Dandridge: community worker in Botswana
- Heather Dorak: celebrity Pilates instructor, Meghan’s friend, and her husband Matt Cohen
- Ed Lane Fox: Harry’s private secretary, and his wife Sonia Lane Fox
- Hugh Grosvenor, 7th Duke of Westminster
- Natalia Grosvenor, Duchess of Westminster: widow of the 6th Duke of Westminster
- Lady Viola Grosvenor: sister of the 7th Duke of Westminster
- Janina Gavankar: Meghan’s close friend and fellow actress
- Michael Hess: American oil tycoon
- Genevieve Hillis: Meghan’s long-time friend and former sorority sister
- Daisy Jenks: Harry’s friend
- Lindsay Jordan: author and Meghan’s friend also known as Lindsay Roth, and her husband Gavin Jordan
- Celine Khavarani: Meghan’s friend
- Brian Kocinski: Meghan’s friend
- Arthur Landon: Harry’s long-time friend
- Katalin Landon: Harry’s friend
- The Honorable Dame Shan Legge-Bourke: mother of William and Harry’s nanny Tiggy Pettifer
- Abraham Levy: friend of the couple
- Benita Litt: Meghan’s close friends, and her husband Darren Litt
- Sir John Major: Prime Minister from 1990 to 1997, and his wife Dame Norma Major, Lady Major
- Isabel May: Meghan’s close friend
- Lucy Meadmore: Meghan’s long-time friend
- Jessica Mulroney: one of Meghan’s best friends, her three children were in the wedding party, and her husband Benedict Mulroney
- Misha Nonoo: fashion designer, friend who set up Harry and Meghan’s blind date
- Charles Pettifer: Tiggy Pettifer’s husband
- Tiggy Pettifer: William and Harry’s nanny, formerly known as Tiggy Legge-Bourke
- Sarah, Duchess of York: Harry’s former aunt by marriage, mother of Harry’s cousins Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie
- Julia Samuel: close friend of Diana, Princess of Wales and Prince George’s godmother, and her husband, The Honorable Michael Samuel: chairman of the Anna Freud Centre’s trustees and Julia’s husband
- Jill Smoller: high profile sports agent
- Abigail Leigh Spencer: actress in Suits with Meghan
- Silver Tree: producer and director of Suits
- Emilie van Cutsem: widow of Prince Charles’ close friend Hugh van Cutsem
- Charlie van Straubenzee: Harry’s long-time friend
- Thomas van Straubenzee: known as Van, one of Harry’s best friends
- Samuel Vestey, 3rd Baron Vestey: Master of the Horse to the Royal Household
- Amanda Ward: widow of Harry’s godfather Gerald Ward
- Lady Carolyn Warren: racing manager
- John Warren: Lady Carolyn’s husband and The Queen’s current racing adviser
- Susanna Warren: daughter of Lady Carolyne Warren
- Jessie Webb: William and Harry’s nanny
- Serena Williams: tennis player, Meghan’s friend, and her husband Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit
- Oprah Winfrey: American talk show host, actress, producer, and philanthropist
Partial List of Other Guests (sitting in the nave)
- Patrick J. Adams: actor in Suits with Meghan, and his wife actress Troian Bellisario
- Natasha Archer, personal stylist of the Duchess of Cambridge
- David Beckham: soccer player, and his wife Victoria Beckham, fashion designer, model, and singer
- James Blunt: singer-songwriter, and his wife Sofia Wellesley, granddaughter of the late 8th Duke of Wellington
- Cressida Bonas: former girlfriend of Harry
- Tom Bradby: British broadcaster, Harry’s friend , and his wife Claudia Bradby
- Kevin Bray: director of Suits, and his wife Sophie de Rakoff
- Priyanka Chopra: actress and Meghan’s friend
- Amanda Cook Tucker, hairdresser of the Duchess of Cambridge
- James Corden: actor, writer, producer, comedian, television host, and his wife Julia Carey
- Baron Dannatt: retired general of the British army, and his wife Lady Dannatt
- Chelsy Davy: former girlfriend of Harry
- Rebecca Deacon: the Duchess of Cambridge’s former private secretary, and her husband Adam Priestley
- Mark Dyer: former equerry to The Prince of Wales, and his wife Amanda Dyer
- Idris Elba: actor, and his fiancée Sabrina Dhowre
- Nacho Figueras: Argentine polo player, and his wife Delfina Blaquier
- Dr. Noel Fitzpatrick: Channel 4 show Supervet, treated Meghan’s dog
- Rick Genow: Meghan’s attorney
- Will Greenwood: former rugby player, and his wife Caroline Greenwood
- Lady Edwina Grosvenor: daughter of the late 6th Duke of Westminster, and her husband television presenter Dan Snow
- Paddy Harverson: former communications secretary to the Prince of Wales, and his wife Mel Harverson
- Bonnie Hammer: Chairman of NBCUniversal Cable and a mentor to Meghan
- Tom Hardy: actor and producer, and his wife actress Charlotte Riley
- James Haskell: rugby player, and his fiancée television presenter Chloe Madeley
- Miguel Head: Prince William’s private secretary
- David Henson: parasport athlete, Harry’s friend, and his wife Hayley Henson
- Princess Xenia zu Hohenlohe-Langenburg: niece of the Duke of Edinburgh (non-reigning royalty)
- Rick Hoffman: actor in Suits with Meghan
- Olivia Hunt: Harry’s friend
- Tom Inskip: Harry’s friend, and his wife Laura Inskip
- Sir Elton John: English singer, pianist, and composer, and his husband David Furnish
- Nick Jones: Soho House founder
- Jason Knauf: communications secretary of Prince Harry and the Duke of Cambridge
- Aaron Korsh: creator and writer of Suits
- Amber Le Bon: model, Harry’s friend
- Karl Lokko: youth community activist, Harry’s friend, and his wife Cassandra Lokko
- Laura Lopes: Harry’s stepsister
- Alex Lubomirski: official engagement and wedding photographer, and his wife Giada Lubomirski
- Gabriel Macht: actor in Suits with Meghan, and his wife actress Jacinda Barrett
- Tereza Maxová: model
- Katrina McKeever: royal press officer
- Andrew Meyer: Meghan’s business manager
- Michael and Carole Middleton: parents of the Duchess of Cambridge
- Pippa Middleton: sister of the Duchess of Cambridge, and her husband James Matthews
- James Middleton: brother of the Duchess of Cambridge
- Ellen Miller-Alexander: husband serves the royal family and drove the car that took Meghan and her mother to the wedding ceremony
- Sir Keith Mills: Chairman of the Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, and his wife Maureen, Lady Mills
- Keleigh Thomas Morgan: Meghan’s former agent
- Carey Mulligan: actress and singer, and her husband Marcus Mumford, lead singer of the band Mumford & Sons
- Prince Franz Albrecht zu Oettingen-Spielberg: Harry’s friend, and his wife actress (Princess) Cleopatra von Adelsheim (non-reigning royalty)
- Patricia Palmer Tompkinson: friend of the royal family
- Tom Parker-Bowles: Harry’s step-brother, and his wife Sara Parker-Bowles
- Gabriela Peacock: nutritionist
- Guy Pelly: nightclub owner, Harry’s friend, and his wife Elizabeth Pelly
- Sarah Rafferty: actress in Suits with Meghan, and her husband Aleksanteri Olli-Pekka Seppälä
- Amanda Schull: actress in Suits with Meghan
- Baroness Shackleton of Belgravia: royal solicitor
- Sir Nicholas Soames: former equerry and friend of Prince Charles, and his wife Karen, Lady Soames
- Joss Stone: singer, songwriter, and actress
- Gina Torres: actress in Suits with Meghan
- Alexander van Straubenzee: Harry’s close friend
- Claire van Straubenzee: Harry’s close friend
- William van Straubenzee: Harry’s close friend
- Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo: nanny of Prince George and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge
- The Honorable William Vestey: son and heir of Samuel Vestey, 3rd Baron Vestey, and his wife contributing editor for British Vogue Violet Vestey
- Jake Warren: Harry’s close friend, and his wife Zoe Warren
- Violet von Westenholz: Ralph Lauren publicist, Harry and Meghan’s friend
The Wedding Attendants
Harry and Meghan with the bridesmaids and page boys; Credit – https://www.royal.uk, photo by Alex Lubomirski
Meghan decided not have a maid of honor because she had a very close group of friends and did not want to choose one over the others and so, in accordance with royal tradition, her bridesmaids were children.
Best Man:
- Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, brother of the groom
Bridesmaids:
- Princess Charlotte of Cambridge: age 3, niece of Prince Harry, daughter of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
- Florence van Cutsem: age 3, goddaughter of Prince Harry, daughter of Mrs. Alice van Cutsem and Major Nicholas van Cutsem, a close friend of Prince Harry
- Remi Litt: age, 6, goddaughter of Meghan Markle, daughter of Mrs. Benita Litt, a close friend of Meghan Markle, and Mr. Darren Litt
- Rylan Litt: age, 7, goddaughter of Meghan Markle, daughter of Mrs. Benita Litt, a close friend of Meghan Markle, and Mr. Darren Litt)
- Ivy Mulroney: age 4, daughter of Mrs. Jessica Mulroney, fashion stylist and a close friend of Meghan Markle, and Mr. Benedict Mulroney, a Canadian television host and son of former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney
- Zalie Warren: age 2, goddaughter of Prince Harry, daughter of Mrs. Zoe Warren and Mr. Jake Warren, a close friend of Prince Harry
Page Boys:
- Prince George of Cambridge: age 4, nephew of Prince Harry, son of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
- Jasper Dyer: age 6, godson of Prince Harry, son of Mrs. Amanda Dyer and Mr. Mark Dyer, a former equerry to The Prince of Wales who has been an influence on Prince Harry since his childhood
- Brian Mulroney: age, 7, twin of John below, son of Mrs. Jessica Mulroney, fashion stylist and a close friend of Meghan Markle, and Mr. Benedict Mulroney, a Canadian television host and son of former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney
- John Mulroney: age, 7, twin of Brian above, son of Mrs. Jessica Mulroney, fashion stylist and a close friend of Meghan Markle, and Mr. Benedict Mulroney, a Canadian television host and son of former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney
The Wedding Attire
Meghan Markle’s wedding dress was designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller, the first female artistic director of the French fashion house Givenchy. Made of a double-bonded silk cady, the dress had three-quarter sleeves and an open bateau neckline. The lines of the dress extended towards the back where the train flowed in soft round folds.
The veil was five meters long and was made from silk tulle with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers in silk threads and organza. The veil was embroidered with 53 flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth of Nations.
The bride’s veil was held in place by Queen Mary’s diamond bandeau tiara, lent by Queen Elizabeth II. The bandeau, made in 1932, consists of diamonds and platinum and has a detachable brooch of ten brilliant diamonds set in the center. The diamond bandeau was made for Queen Mary and specifically designed to feature the center brooch which was given as a present to the then Princess Mary of Teck in 1893 by the County of Lincoln upon her marriage to Prince George, Duke of York (the future King George V). Upon Queen Mary’s death in 1953, the bandeau and the brooch were bequeathed to Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Mary’s granddaughter.
The bride’s bouquet, designed by florist Philippa Craddock, was a petite design, made with delicate flowers including scented sweet peas, lily of the valley, astilbe, jasmine and astrantia, and sprigs of myrtle, bound with a naturally dyed, raw silk ribbon. The day before the wedding, Prince Harry handpicked several flowers from the couple’s private garden at Kensington Palace to add to the bouquet. Also included were forget-me-nots, the favorite flower of Diana, Princess of Wales. The couple specifically chose them to be included in the bouquet to honor the memory of the late Princess.
The myrtle in the bridal bouquet is a royal family tradition. Queen Victoria was given a nosegay containing myrtle during a visit to Gotha in Germany. A sprig from that nosegay was planted against the terrace walls of Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, where it continues to grow. In 1858, myrtle was first used in the bridal bouquet of Victoria, Princess Royal, Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter.
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The Duchess of Sussex’s bridal bouquet resting on the Grave of the Unknown Warrior
The new Duchess of Sussex sent her bridal bouquet to Westminster Abbey to rest on the Grave of the Unknown Warrior. The Grave of the Unknown Warrior is a tribute to the fallen soldiers of the First World War and all those who have since died in international military conflict. The tradition of royal brides’ bouquets being placed on the grave was started by the future Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother at her wedding in 1923, in memory of her brother Fergus Bowes-Lyon who was killed at the Battle of Loos in 1915 during the First World War.
Prince Harry and The Duke of Cambridge, the best man, wore the frockcoat uniform of the Blues and Royals, which is an old Regiment of both The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry. Harry served for ten years in the Blues and Royals, including in combat in Afghanistan. Her Majesty The Queen gave her permission for Prince Harry to get married in his uniform. Both uniforms were tailored at Dege & Skinner on Savile Row in London.
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Princess Charlotte of Cambridge in her bridesmaid’s dress
Clare Waight Keller also designed the six bridesmaids’ dresses. Made from ivory silk Radzimir, the dresses were high-waisted with a pleated skirt, had short puffed sleeves, and a double silk ribbon tied at the back in a bow. Each bridesmaid wore white leather Aquazurra shoes, monogrammed with her initials and the wedding date. The shoes were a gift from the bride as a keepsake of the special day. Florist Philippa Craddock designed the bridesmaids’ flower crowns
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Prince George of Cambridge in his page boy’s uniform
The four page boys wore a miniature version of the Blues and Royals frockcoats that Prince Harry and The Duke of Cambridge wore. As a special memento, each page boy has his initials embroidered in gold on the shoulder straps. The uniforms were cut and made by the tailors Dege & Skinner in Savile Row in London.
Cleave and Company was chosen to make the wedding rings. Meghan’s ring was made from a piece of Welsh gold, given by Her Majesty The Queen. Prince Harry’s ring was a platinum band with a textured finish. The rings were carried to St. George’s Chapel on the day of the wedding by The Duke of Cambridge, in his capacity as best man.
The Ceremony
Prince Harry and his brother and best man Prince William arrived at St. George’s Chapel by foot and entered via the West Steps. The two princes acknowledged the people gathered in the Castle precincts, including the 200 charity representatives gathered in the Horseshoe Cloister at the bottom of the West Steps.
In past royal weddings, it was the father who rode to the wedding with his daughter and walked her down the aisle. Meghan wanted to involve both her parents, who divorced when she was six years old. Meghan spent the night before the wedding at the Cliveden House Hotel with her mother Doria Ragland. Meghan and her mother rode in a car to Windsor Castle by way of the Long Walk, so that the public gathered there could see the bride as the car passed by. There was a brief stop at Windsor Castle where Ms. Ragland headed to the St. George’s Chapel and the bride was then joined by the bridesmaids and page boys before she continued her journey to the chapel.
At 12:00 noon, Meghan entered the chapel by the West Steps along with the bridesmaids and page boys and walked unescorted down the aisle in the nave. Originally, Megan’s father Thomas Markle was to meet his daughter at the start of the quire and walk her the rest of the way down the aisle. However, Mr. Markle was unable to attend the wedding due to ill health. Two days before the wedding, Meghan released a statement: “Sadly, my father will not be attending our wedding. I have always cared for my father and hope he can be given the space he needs to focus on his health.” The day before the wedding, Kensington Palace released this statement: “Ms. Meghan Markle has asked His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to accompany her down the aisle of the Quire of St. George’s Chapel on her Wedding Day. The Prince of Wales is pleased to be able to welcome Ms. Markle to The Royal Family in this way.”
The Dean of Windsor, The Right Reverend David Conner conducted the service. The Most Reverend and Right Honorable Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, officiated as the couple took their marriage vows. Harry and Markle asked The Most Reverend Michael Bruce Curry, the 27th Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church, the United States-based member church of the worldwide Anglican Communion, to give the address at their wedding. Presiding Bishop Curry traveled from Chicago, Illinois to Windsor to participate in the wedding service and gave a rousing address in the style of African-American ministers about the importance of love.
It was important to Prince Harry that his mother’s family be involved in his wedding. All three siblings of Diana, Princess of Wales attended the wedding and Diana’s sister Lady Jane Fellowes gave the reading.
London-based florist Philippa Craddock created the floral displays for St. George’s Chapel using flowers and plants that were in season and blooming naturally in May including branches of beech, birch, and hornbeam, as well as white garden roses, peonies, and foxgloves. After the wedding, Harry and Meghan arranged for the flowers to be distributed to charitable organizations.
Music
The music was under the direction of James Vivian, Director of Music, St. George’s Chapel and was performed by:
- Orchestra conducted by Christopher Warren-Green and was made up of musicians from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the English Chamber Orchestra and the Philharmonia.
- The Choir of St George’s Chapel
- Luke Bond, Organist and Assistant Director of Music, St George’s Chapel
- State Trumpeters from the Band of the Household Cavalry
- Elin Manahan Thomas, Welsh soprano
- David Blackadder, principal trumpet with both the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and the Academy of Ancient Music
- Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir, a gospel choir
- Sheku Kanneh-Mason, a 19-year-old cellist
Music Performed During the Wedding Service
- Bride’s Entrance: Eternal Source of Light Divine by George Frederick Handel (1685–1759), performed by the Orchestra and Elin Manahan Thomas (Soprano) with David Blackadder (Trumpet)
- Hymn: Lord of All Hopefulness, words by Jan Struther (1901–53), music Slane, traditional Irish melody
- Motet: If Ye Love Me by Thomas Tallis (1505–85), performed by the Choir of St George’s Chapel
- Stand by Me, words by Jerry Leiber (1933–2011), music by Ben E. King (1938–2015) and Mike Stroller (b. 1933), arranged by Mark Delisser (b. 1973) performed by Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir
- The Anthem: The Lord Bless You and Keep You by John Rutter (b. 1945) performed by the Choir of St George’s Chapel
- Hymn: Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer, words by William Williams (1717–91), music Cwm Rhondda’, John Hughes (1873–1932), Descant verse: James Vivian (b. 1974)
- During the Signing of the Register: performed by Sheku Kanneh-Mason (cellist) and the Orchestra:
- Sicilienne by Maria Theresia von Paradis (1759–1824), arranged by Chris Hazell (b.1948)
- Après un rêve by Gabriel Fauré (1845–1924), arranged by Chris Hazell
- Ave Maria by Franz Schubert (1797–1828), arranged by Chris Haze
- National Anthem: God Save The Queen
- Procession of the Bride and Groom:
- Symphony no. 1 in B-flat – Allegro by William Boyce (1711–1779)
- Amen by Jester Hairston (1901–2000)
- This Little Light of Mine by Harry Dixon Loes (1892–1965)
Involving the Public
Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle wanted their wedding day to be arranged to allow members of the public to feel part of the celebrations too. They invited 2,640 people into the grounds of Windsor Castle to watch the arrivals of the wedding party and the wedding guests at the chapel and to watch the carriage procession as it departs from the castle. This group was made up of:
- 1,200 members of the public from every corner of the United Kingdom will be nominated to attend by nine regional Lord Lieutenant offices.
- 200 people from a range of charities and organizations with which Prince Harry and Meghan have a close association, including those with which Prince Harry serves as Patron.
- 100 pupils from two local schools: The Royal School, Great Park, Windsor and St George’s School, Windsor Castle
- 610 Windsor Castle community members, including residents of Windsor Castle and members of the St George’s Chapel community.
- 530 Members of The Royal Households and Crown Estate.
Credit – https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/04/europe/royal-wedding-prince-harry-meghan-markle-intl/index.html
In addition, following the wedding service, the newly married couple undertook a carriage procession along a route from St. George’s Chapel, leaving Windsor Castle via Castle Hill and processing along the High Street and through Windsor Town, returning to Windsor Castle along the Long Walk. Harry and Meghan hoped that the carriage procession would provide an opportunity for more people to come together around Windsor to enjoy the atmosphere of this special day. The newlyweds rode in the Ascot Landau carriage pulled by Windsor Grey horses and were accompanied by an escort of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.
The Lunchtime Wedding Reception
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St. George’s Hall set up for a banquet
Following the service, there was a reception at St. George’s Hall in Windsor Castle. All 600 guests who attended the wedding service were also invited to the lunchtime reception given by Her Majesty The Queen. Harry and Meghan joined the reception on return from the carriage procession.
The menu included:
A selection of canapés:
- Scottish Langoustines wrapped in Smoked Salmon with Citrus Crème Fraiche
- Grilled English Asparagus wrapped in Cumbrian Ham
- Garden Pea Panna Cotta with Quail Eggs and Lemon Verbena
- Heritage Tomato and Basil Tartare with Balsamic Pearls
- Poached Free Range Chicken bound in a Lightly Spiced Yoghurt with Roasted Apricot
- Croquette of Confit Windsor Lamb, Roasted Vegetables, and Shallot Jam
- Warm Asparagus Spears with Mozzarella and Sun-Blush Tomatoes
A selection of bowl food:
- Fricassee of Free Range Chicken with Morel Mushrooms and Young Leeks
- Pea and Mint Risotto with Pea Shoots, Truffle Oil, and Parmesan Crisps
- Ten Hour Slow Roasted Windsor Pork Belly with Apple Compote and Crackling
A selection of sweet canapés:
- Champagne and Pistachio Macaroons
- Orange Crème Brûlée Tartlets
- Miniature Rhubarb Crumble Tartlets
A selection of drinks:
- Pol Roger Brut Réserve Non-Vintage Champagne
- A selection of wines
- A range of soft drinks including an apple and elderflower mocktail, made with the same elderflower syrup as used in the wedding cake, and Sandringham Cox’s apple juice
The wedding cake designed by native Californian Claire Ptak who owns the small, trendy Violet Bakery in east London, featured elderflower syrup made at The Queen’s residence in Sandringham from the estate’s elderflower trees. A light sponge cake was specially made for the couple with an Amalfi lemon curd and elderflower buttercream filling. The cake was decorated with Swiss meringue buttercream and 150 fresh flowers, mainly British and in season, including peonies and roses.
The reception included the cutting of the wedding cake and speeches from The Prince of Wales and Prince Harry. The Duke of Cambridge, the Best Man, acted as master of ceremonies for the reception. The Prince of Wales described how emotional he felt watching his youngest son, whom he still remembered so clearly as a baby, marrying the love of his life. Prince Harry gave a heartfelt speech and made it clear he was the happiest man in the world. He described how beautiful his new wife looked and made the guests laugh when he promised that the Americans would not steal the swords in the castle.
Sir Elton John was asked to perform at the lunchtime reception in recognition of the close connection he has with Prince Harry and his family. Sir Elton performed Tiny Dancer, which he dedicated to the bride, Your Song, and The Circle of Life.
The Evening Wedding Reception
Later that evening, around 200 guests attended the private evening reception given by The Prince of Wales at Frogmore House. The newlywed couple traveled the short distance from Windsor Castle to Frogmore House in a silver-blue Jaguar E-Type Concept Zero. The bride wore an evening dress made of lily-white silk crepe with a high neck, designed by Stella McCartney.
Talk show host James Corden served as master of ceremonies for the evening reception, which included a sit-down dinner and dancing to music spun by DJ Sam Totolee. The evening guests dined on a more casual menu of dirty burgers, cotton candy, and playful cocktails, including one called “When Harry Met Meghan.” Some drinks featured rum and ginger in a nod to the groom’s ginger (red) hair.
The best man, Prince William, gave a speech, as did the groom and the bride, making Meghan the first royal bride to give a speech. The entertainment, which included an incredible firework display in the gardens of Frogmore House, went on until around 3:00 AM.
The Honeymoon
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The new Duke and Duchess of Sussex at their first royal engagement as a married couple, with The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall
Meghan and Harry did not leave for their honeymoon immediately after the wedding. Their honeymoon destination was kept private, but it was speculated by the press that the destination was somewhere in East Africa. The couple stayed at Windsor Castle on Saturday, May 19, 2018, after an evening reception with 200 of their friends and family. The next day, the newly married Duke and Duchess of Sussex left Windsor Castle. On Tuesday, May 22, 2018, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended their first royal engagement as a married couple, a Buckingham Palace garden party, part of the Prince of Wales’ 70th birthday celebrations. The garden party, held six months ahead of Prince Charles’ actual 70th birthday in November, celebrated his charity work, patronages, and military affiliations. More than 6,000 people from charities Prince Charles supports attended and Prince Harry gave a speech in honor of his father.
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