Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are officially husband and wife.
The pair were pronounced husband and wife at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in front of members of Harry and Meghan’s family and friends, including The Queen, Prince Phillip, Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles.
The ceremony was officiated by the Dean of Windsor David Conner and the Arch Bishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who performed the newlyweds’ vows. During the ceremony, a sermon was given by Reverend Michael Curry of the Episcopal Church in the United States.
Meghan Markle was walked down the aisle at St. George’s Chapel by Prince Charles after her father Thomas Markle was forced to pull out at the last minute due to heart surgery this week. On the morning of the wedding, Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, accompanied her daughter to Windsor Castle with select members of the wedding party.
She released a statement following her father’s decision to pull out in which she professed she has ‘always cared’ for him and hopes he can be given the time and space he needs to focus on his health.
Markle wowed millions of people across the world as she stepped out in her wedding dress. Harry, flanked by best man and older brother Prince William, donned his household cavalry suit. He sported a well-sculpted beard, despite it being a prerequisite for those who serve in the British army to be cleanly shaven.
Following the ceremony, the couple will be taking part in a carriage procession starting from St. George’s Chapel, through Windsor town before returning to Windsor Castle via the Long Walk. Alexi Lubomirski, who will be the official wedding photographer on the day will be taking pictures outside of Windsor Castle.
A statement from Kensington Palace, prior to the wedding, says:
They hope this short journey will provide an opportunity for more people to come together around Windsor and to enjoy the atmosphere of this special day. Following the service, there will be a reception at St George’s Hall for the couple and the guests from the congregation. Later that evening, the Prince of Wales will give a private evening reception for the couple and their close friends and family.
Prince Harry was keen to make sure members of his mother’s family, the late Princess Diana, was involved with his big day too.
A statement from Kensington Palace confirmed:
In addition to having the support of The Queen, his father The Prince of Wales, and his brother Prince William as best man, Prince Harry is also keen to involve his mother’s family in his wedding. All three siblings of Diana, Princess of Wales will be in attendance and Lady Jane Fellowes will give the reading.
Prince Harry and Ms. Markle both feel honoured that Lady Jane will be representing her family and helping to celebrate the memory of the late Princess on the wedding day.
According to Kensington Palace, the wedding was attended by 600 guests, a modestly small gathering when compared to the William and Kate’s wedding which boasted 1,900 guests. A group of 200 close acquaintances will be invited to an after-party at Frogmore House, a short walk from St George’s Chapel.
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