Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been proclaimed husband and wife by the Archbishop of Canterbury in a ceremony watched by a global audience of hundreds of millions of people on Saturday, May 19, 2018.
After the couple – the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex – tied the knot at St George’s Chapel, they delighted tens of thousands of well-wishers as they travelled through Windsor in an open-topped carriage.
Ms Markle’s white wedding dress – with a white veil and boat neck – was created by British designer Clare Waight Keller, the first female Artistic Director at French fashion house Givenchy. Her 16-foot-long veil was held in place by a diamond bandeau tiara lent to her by the Queen.
Sealed with a kiss #RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/Fte9MwM4K4
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) May 19, 2018
Prince Harry and his best man the Duke of Cambridge are both wearing the frockcoat uniform of the Blues and Royals.
In a departure from tradition, Markle walked much of the way up the aisle unchaperoned, followed by her 10 bridesmaids and page boys — a move that was seen as a powerful statement of her feminist principles.
Only when she reached the 15th-century chapel’s Quire was Markle accompanied for her final steps to the foot of the altar by Prince Charles, Harry’s father.
Harry, flanked by his brother and best man Prince William, looked emotional as he waited at the altar, dressed in the frockcoat uniform of the Blues and Royals.
The couple sat with clasped hands as they listened to an impassioned address from Chicago-based bishop Michael Curry, the first African-American head of the Episcopal Church in the United States.
His fiery preaching style was a marked departure from the usually conservative tone of a British royal wedding. Harry could be seen saying “Wow” to Meghan as Curry’s speech ended.
It was followed by a performance of the Ben E. King classic “Stand by Me” by The Kingdom Choir, a group of 20 gospel singers.
Meghan was all smiles as she said her vows and gave Harry his wedding ring. The crowd could be faintly heard cheering outside as the couple were proclaimed husband and wife by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, the most senior cleric in the Church of England.
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Big moments so far
Harry and Meghan have returned the Windsor Castle for the first of their two wedding receptions, in St. George’s Hall.
Thousands of people cheered on the bride and groom during their carriage procession through Windsor.
Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, accompanied her to the chapel and looked on with tears in her eyes as she walked down the aisle.
Palace revealed that Meghan’s wedding ring has been made from Welsh gold and is a gift from the Queen, while Harry’s is platinum.
The Queen conferred the titles of Duke of Sussex, Earl of Dumbarton and Baron Kilkeel on Prince Harry, making Meghan the first-ever Duchess of Sussex.
The last to arrive before the bride was the Queen, wearing a lime silk dress, accompanied by Prince Philip.
Ready for my friend’s wedding. #beingserena @alexisohanian pic.twitter.com/PSIYvpXlaV
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) May 19, 2018
Among the host of famous guests already waiting in the chapel were Oprah Winfrey, George and Amal Clooney — dressed in an eye-catching yellow dress and hat — tennis star Serena Williams, actor Idris Elba and singer James Blunt.
Read more at Telegraph, CNN, Wall Street Journal
