Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The wedding between Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle was a highly publicized event that took place on 19 May 2018 at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, with Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge in attendance. The couple's engagement was announced by Kensington Palace on 27 November 2017, and the wedding was planned by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle with the help of Samantha Cohen, Edward Lane Fox, and Alexi Lubomirski. The wedding was a significant event for the British royal family, with Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and Prince Andrew, Duke of York also attending.

● Engagement

The engagement between Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle was announced by Kensington Palace on 27 November 2017, with the couple posing for photos at Kensington Palace's Sunken Garden, surrounded by Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and other members of the British royal family. The engagement ring was designed by Cleave and Company, with a central stone from Botswana, a country that holds special meaning for the couple, who have visited Chobe National Park and Okavango Delta together. Meghan Markle's parents, Thomas Wayne Markle and Doria Ragland, were also informed of the engagement, although they did not attend the announcement, with Doria Ragland later attending the wedding at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, alongside Idris Elba, Oprah Winfrey, and George Clooney.

● Wedding preparations

The wedding preparations were extensive, with Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle working closely with Samantha Cohen, Edward Lane Fox, and Alexi Lubomirski to plan the event. The couple chose St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle as the venue for the ceremony, with Windsor Castle's St George's Hall hosting the reception, and Frogmore House providing accommodation for the wedding party, including Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales. The wedding cake was designed by Claire Ptak, owner of Violet Bakery, with Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle opting for a lemon and elderflower cake, served at the reception, which was also attended by Elton John, David Beckham, and Victoria Beckham.

● Ceremony and reception

The ceremony took place on 19 May 2018 at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, with Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, officiating the ceremony, and Michael Curry, the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, delivering a sermon, which was attended by Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and other members of the British royal family. The ceremony featured a number of personal touches, including a gospel choir, The Kingdom Choir, and a performance by Sheku Kanneh-Mason, a BBC Young Musician of the Year winner, who has also performed at Royal Albert Hall and Wigmore Hall. The reception was held at St George's Hall, Windsor Castle, with guests enjoying a sit-down dinner, and Elton John performing a number of songs, including Tiny Dancer and Your Song, which was also attended by Serena Williams, Trevor Engelson, and Patrick J. Adams.

● Guests and attendees

The wedding was attended by a number of high-profile guests, including Idris Elba, Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney, and Amal Clooney, as well as members of the British royal family, such as Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales. Other notable attendees included David Beckham, Victoria Beckham, Serena Williams, and Trevor Engelson, Meghan Markle's ex-husband, who has also worked with Jerry Bruckheimer and Michael Bay. The wedding was also attended by a number of Meghan Markle's friends from her time on Suits, including Patrick J. Adams and Gina Torres, who have also worked with Shonda Rhimes and Ryan Murphy.

● Media coverage

The wedding received extensive media coverage, with BBC, ITV, and Sky News providing live coverage of the event, and CNN, NBC, and ABC covering the wedding from the United States, with Tina Brown, Piers Morgan, and Sarah Kendzior providing commentary and analysis. The wedding was also streamed live on YouTube and Facebook, with millions of people watching the ceremony and reception online, and The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Guardian providing in-depth coverage of the event.

● Aftermath and impact

The wedding had a significant impact on the British royal family and the public's perception of the monarchy, with Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle being seen as a modern and inclusive couple, who have visited Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa on royal tours, and have worked with UNICEF, World Vision, and The Queen's Commonwealth Trust. The wedding also had a positive impact on the town of Windsor, with local businesses benefiting from the influx of tourists and visitors, and Windsor Castle's St George's Chapel becoming a popular tourist destination, alongside Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace. The wedding was also seen as a celebration of diversity and inclusivity, with Meghan Markle being the first American and biracial person to join the British royal family, and has been praised by Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, and Malala Yousafzai for its positive impact on society. Category:Royal weddings