SEE PAGES 4 & 5 PLUS PULLOUT
BRITAIN went into party mode for a royal extravaganza today as Prince Harry and Megan Markle prepared to marry in front of a billion-strong worldwide television audience.
The nation is expected to come to a standstill as the couple wed at noon at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, in front of a congregation of 600.
As Harry, 33, went on a surprise walkabout in Windsor his American bride-to-be arrived at her hotel, Cliveden House, nine miles away and said she was feeling “wonderful”.
A source close to the couple said that, despite their apparent confidence both were suffering the “normal nerves” of any couple getting married.
Earlier, it was announced that Prince Charles is to step in for Thomas Markle and walk Meghan down the aisle after the bride’s father pulled out of attending the service, citing medical advice.
Duties
Meghan, a proud feminist, had been tipped to break the mould and ask her mother Doria Ragland to step in to perform the traditionally male role after her father told her he could not fly to Britain amid unconfirmed reports he had undergone heart surgery near his home in Mexico.
But sources said it was Meghan’s idea to ask her future father-in-law. “She has got to know the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall and they all get on really well. It was her idea to ask the Prince. She put it to Harry and then they asked his father,” said one.
Charles, 69, was “touched” to be asked, according to officials at Clarence House. As the longest serving heir to the throne in history, he has huge experience of appearing at large-scale public events amid intense scrutiny and is unlikely to be fazed by his lastminute duties.
But the choice of her future father-in-law for the duties left an imbalance in the make-up of the wedding party. The bride’s mother is her only close relative attending the wedding. Many in her family, including her half-brother Thomas Markle Junior, 51, and half-sister Samantha Markle, 53, have not been invited after falling out with her, trying to make money from their association with her and criticising her publicly. Few who have known her for more than a few years will be in the congregation, although close friends from her work in television and with charities will be there. Her father, who is said to be recovering from a heart operation, has been in touch with her several times over the past few days. In an interview with a Hollywood showbusiness news website, he gave his blessing yesterday to Prince Charles walking her down the aisle.
Mr Markle, 73, a retired Hollywood lighting director, was quoted by the TMZ website saying he had told Meghan and Harry he was “honoured and grateful” that Charles was stepping in.
He said she was “super sweet” on the phone, telling him she loved him and worrying about his health, according to the report, which said he was recovering and would be “proudly watching the wedding on television “in a secluded place with friends, hopefully no press.”
Harry and Meghan, the report said, have plans to visit him and he told them he hoped to travel to Britain to meet Harry and see Meghan “sometime in the near future”.
Meghan, 36, will walk up the nave of St George’s Chapel – the first part of the church – on her own in front of a global television audience predicted to top one billion.
She will be followed by her six bridesmaids and four pageboys including Prince George and Princess Charlotte. The Dean of Windsor will be among the procession.
Meghan will then be accompanied by Charles through the quire, which begins in the middle of the chapel.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, praised Charles for stepping in. “He’s a very warm person and that he’s doing this is a sign of his love and concern and support,” he said. “And I think it’s wonderful. It’s beautiful.”
Mr Welby asked for people to remember Meghan’s father in their prayers. “I hope people will pray for him, and pray for the couple and pray for everyone involved in the process tomorrow,” he said.
The Markles, unlike the Duchess of Cambridge’s family, the Middletons, will not be given their own coat of arms to mark their daughter’s marriage into royalty.
But Harry and Meghan will get a new coat of arms next week.
The bride and groom went to Windsor for their final rehearsal ahead of the big day and joined Meghan’s mother, Doria, for tea with the Queen and Prince Philip.
Outside, the streets were filled with thousands of fans.
HOW charming of Prince Charles to step in and walk Meghan down the aisle – well, halfway down to be precise. The People’s Party can now begin safe in the knowledge that all is well in Windsor. The sun is going to shine and it will be a memorable and happy day.