Yes, it’s arrived – Harry and Meghan’s big day
AS BRITAIN’S Prince Harry and Meghan Markle woke to their big day, so too did millions of ordinary people around the world.
After days of will-he won’t-he, even the question of who will walk Markle down the aisle was settled: the groom’s father, Prince Charles and heir to the British throne.
Thomas Markle pulled out because of ill health.
“The Prince of Wales is pleased to be able to welcome Ms Markle to the royal family in this way,” Harry’s office in Kensington Palace said.
Thousands of royal fans have been camped out on the streets of Windsor, some since Wednesday, where well-wishers mingled with journalists and armed police.
The fever has spread to many South Africans too – so much so that the Sharks have announced they will screen the wedding live at the Jonsson Kings Park Stadium big screen and the outer-field screen from noon to 2pm.
The game against the Chiefs starts at 3pm.
SABC3 last night announced it would also screen the wedding live from 9.30am to 3pm.
Harry, 33, will marry Markle, 36, a star of the TV drama Suits, in Windsor Castle’s 15th Century St George’s Chapel at a ceremony that begins at 1pm (SA time).
For some black Britons, the prospect of a mixed-race royal princess has increased interest in the monarchy, which has so far been all white. A black American bishop will give the address at the wedding.
“Meghan will bring a new perspective to the royal family,” royal biographer Claudia Joseph said. “Obviously she comes from a very different background and that’s hugely important to take the royal family into the future.”
After the ceremony, the couple will take part in a procession through the town’s ancient streets on a 19th century Ascot Landau carriage pulled by four Windsor Grey horses.