The hotly anticipated royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is taking place this Saturday. We’ve rounded up everything you could ever need to know about what is arguably the wedding of the year – including where you can watch the royal wedding.
Where Will the Royal Wedding Take Place?
Harry and Meghan Markle will tie the knot at St George’s Chapel in Windsor. It is a private chapel within Windsor Castle and happens to be the place where Harry was christened.
The wedding will take place at midday on Saturday 19th March and will be broadcast on TV. The couple have broken royal tradition and chosen to marry on a Saturday; royal weddings usually take place on a weekday. Meghan will arrive with her mother after staying overnight at Clivedon House – find out more about the luxury wedding venue she’ll be staying over at here.
Do We Get a Day Off?
Sadly not! Whilst the weddings of Kate and Wills and Charles and Diana resulted in bonus bank holidays, this one doesn’t. However, pubs and bars can stay open until 1am the day before and on the actual day, so you can extend your celebrations.
What Happens at the Ceremony?
Harry and Meghan will be married by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the Rt Rev David Conner will conduct the service.
It is rumoured that the bride will be walked down the aisle by her mother, Doria Ragland, after her father, Thomas Markle, had to pull out of the ceremony due to health issues and press controversy.
600 guests have received coveted invitations to the royal wedding, and another 200 hundred have been invited to the evening reception. Over 1,000 members of the public have also been invited into the grounds of Windsor Castle, where they’ll be able to see the couple arrive and depart.
The Royal Wedding Music
The royal wedding ceremony will include plenty of music. Kensington Palace stated that their ceremony will include a ‘number of well-known hymns and choral work’ and the director of music at the chapel, James Vivian, will be coordinating the music.
St George’s Chapel choir will be singing, and 19-year-old cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason will also play. There will also be an orchestra made up from the English Chamber Orchestra, the Philharmonia and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, and a gospel choir will also sing.
Who is in the Royal Bridal Party?
Prince William and Kate Middleton’s daughter, Princess Charlotte, has been confirmed as a bridesmaid, alongside Prince Harry’s two goddaughters, Florence van Cutsem and Zalie Warren. Meghan’s two goddaughters, Remi and Rylan Litt will also be bridesmaids, alongside Ivy Mulroney, who is the daughter of Meghan’s close friend Jessica Mulroney.
Prince George will be a page boy alongside Jasper Dyer, who is Prince Harry’s godson, and Brian and John Mulroney, the sons of Jessica Mulroney.
Prince William has been chosen as the best man, after Harry was his best man at his wedding to Kate Middleton in 2011.
The Royal Wedding Outfits
We are all super eager to see what Meghan Markle’s wedding dress will be like, however we won’t find out until the day itself! Designer Ralph & Russo is hotly tipped to be creating her wedding dress, after she picked a £56k gown by them for her official engagement pictures. We know for sure she will be accessorising with a beautiful peony bouquet!
Read more: Meghan Markle picks peonies for her big day
It’s likely that Harry will wear his military dress uniform, and guests have been requested to wear a morning or lounge suit, whilst women have been asked to come in a day dress complete with a hat.
What Happens After the Ceremony?
After the ceremony is finished, the newlyweds will embark on a tour of Windsor in a horse and carriage to allow the public to feel more involved in their celebrations. They’ll be travelling around Windsor in an Ascot Landau Carriage, pulled by Windsor Grey horses.
Then Harry, Meghan and their 600 guests will attend a lunch reception hosted by the Queen at St George’s Hall.
Rumour has it that Meghan Markle will break with wedding and royal tradition, by making a bride’s speech to address her guests.
In the evening, a select 200 guests will attend a private reception at Frogmore House hosted by Prince Charles, which is where they posed for their official engagement photos.
What Will Everyone Eat?
We know that Harry and Meghan’s royal wedding cake is a lemon and elderflower bake, decorated with on-trend buttercream icing and fresh blooms.
Royal Chef Mark Flanagan and his team will be catering to the royal couple and their guests, and the menu will consist of seasonal and locally sourced produce. Pastry Chef Selwyn Stoby will also be making truffles for the big day. It’s not known whether Heck’s royal wedding sausages will be served up to guests…
Guests will tuck into two-bite canapés and on-trend bowl food which can be eaten standing up as they mingle at the lunch reception. It’s reported that food trucks will rock up in the evening and serve late-night snacks, including ice cream. We know Prince Harry is a fan of a food truck – he apparently encouraged William and Kate to book them for their wedding too.
Read more: Get your own version of the royal wedding cake for £8
What About the Royal After-Party?
We all know Harry loves a party! The Daily Mirror has reported that the evening reception will have a Mahiki theme as a nod to Harry’s favourite club. There is said to be a steel band and a range of cocktails on offer to get guests in the party mood.
The Royal Wedding Guest List
Obviously we’ll see the key players in the royal family at the wedding, including Prince William, Kate Middleton and their two oldest children (Prince Louis will not be attending).
Guy Pelly, a long-time friend of the royals, is attending, as is Tom Inskip. Members of Princess Diana’s family, Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Earl Spencer, will be attending – with Lady Jane Fellowes giving a reading during the ceremony.
It’s also expected that Meghan Markle’s close friends Serena Williams, Priyanka Chopra, Millie Mackintosh, Jessica Mulroney and Misha Nonoo will be attending. It’s also understood that the Spice Girls, David Beckham, Elton John and Anthony Joshua are on the guest list.
It’s been reported that Harry’s exes Chelsy Davy, Cressida Bonas and Ellie Goulding are also on the list.
Read more: How much did Meghan Markle’s hen do cost?
Who Hasn’t Been Invited?
There was plenty of speculation about whether US President Donald Trump would be invited. He hasn’t made the cut, with a Kensington Palace spokesperson announcing: “It has been decided that an official list of political leaders – both UK and international – is not required for Prince Harry and Ms Markle’s wedding.
“Her Majesty’s Government was consulted on this decision, which was taken by The Royal Household.”
Also not on the list is Theresa May, Michelle and Barack Obama, as well as Meghan Markle’s half-siblings Thomas and Samantha.
Excited for the big day? Here are some of our favourite ways to celebrate the royal wedding!
