Dubai 20 May 2018: Prince Harry, aka Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales, 33, and Rachel Meghan Markle, 36, were married at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on Saturday at 12 p.m.
On Saturday morning before the wedding, Kensington Palace announced that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle would become the Duke and Duchess of Sussex after their marriage.
Of course, with one half of the couple being a member of the British royal family and the other a famous actor, the nuptials were bound to have a star-studded ceremony. Some of the celebrity guests include Oprah Winfrey, Priyanka Chopra, Amal and George Clooney.
Kate Middleton, aka the Duchess of Cambridge, also made her first appearance since she gave birth to Prince Louis a month ago.
Prince William and Prince Harry emerged from their car and walked, side by side, together to St. George’s Chapel. Once they were inside Meghan’s car approached Windsor Castle, passing thousands of well-wishers. Inside the chapel, Prince Harry waited, looking a little nervous.
There was a completely adorable moment when the little bridesmaids and page boys arrived and made their way up the steps of the chapel. Prince George and Princess Charlotte were part of Meghan’s group of bridesmaids and page boys. Prince Harry’s godson Jasper Dyer was a page boy and also gave everyone a wave. Then there was Brian and John Mulroney, the sons of Markle’s friend, Jessica Mulroney who came with the bride.
Then it was time for Meghan’s entrance. She walked down the aisle with Prince Charles. As she entered the chapel Prince Harry’s face lit up in a smile when he saw her. Meghan reciprocated with a huge smile of her own. As Prince Charles handed Meghan off to his son. Harry said “Thank you Pa” with a smile. Then he turned to Meghan and said “You look amazing, I’m so lucky and grinned. As he lifted her veil he said “Hi” and then they both shared a giggle and turned waiting for the ceremony to begin.
The Most Rev. Michael Bruce Curry, 27th presiding bishop and primate of the Episcopal Church, was invited to give a sermon. According to people watching, the American pastor stole the show. The bishop quoted Martin Luther King Jr. and said: “We must discover the power of love, the power, the redemptive power of love. And when we discover that we will be able to make of this old world a new world.” He then went on to say “There’s power in love. Do not underestimate it. Anyone who has ever fallen in love, knows what I mean ”
The bride’s dress was a stunning Givenchy creation and a tiara from the royal family’s collection. The dress itself was incredibly detailed, including a 5-metre-long white silk veil with “floral detail representing all 53 countries of the Commonwealth” as Ms. Markle had expressed the wish of having them with her on her journey through the ceremony.
The central brooch in the tiara was one of Prince Harry’s great-great-grandmother, Queen Mary’s wedding presents when she married the future King George V in 1893. The veil is held in place by Queen Mary’s diamond bandeau tiara, lent to Ms. Markle by The Queen. The diamond bandeau is English and was made in 1932, with the entre brooch dating from 1893.
After the ceremony, on the steps of St. George’s Chapel, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle shared their first kiss as husband and wife. And the happily married couple rode off in a open-topped carriage to their reception as adoring fans looked on.
Soon after, Kensington Palace changed its Twitter profile picture to include Meghan. Meghan showed off her stunning second wedding dress — a bespoke gown by Stella McCartney. Meghan also showed off a beautiful aquamarine ring that belonged to Harry’s mother, Princess Diana.
See video below of Harry and Meghan exchanging vows uploaded to Youtube by Globe and Mail.