Making kisstory
Churchman tells Prince Harry and Meghan Markle what’s what before they tie the knot
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle celebrate tying the knot yesterday after a spectacular ceremony unlike any other royal wedding
It had all the pomp and ceremony of a royal occasion, but with added A-list celebrity guests, a fiery American preacher and a gospel choir.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were married yesterday in a thoroughly modern service unlike any royal wedding which has gone before.
The Queen’s grandson, 33, and the American former actress, 36, who is now an HRH and a member of the British royal family, said their vows in front of 600 guests including the Queen and more than 30 royals, watched by a global television audience of millions.
The setting was St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, surrounded by crowds of royal well-wishers who had camped out overnight to witness the historic occasion.
The bride wore an elegant white gown by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, with three-quarter length sleeves and an open bateau neckline.
Prince Harry, who had endured a visibly nervous wait for her arrival, greeted her at the altar with the words: “You look amazing”, to which Meghan replied: “Thank you”.
And after exchanging their vows, the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex delighted crowds with a kiss on the steps of the West Steps at Windsor Castle.
Meghan had looked up at her new husband and asked: “Do we kiss?”
Harry replied with a discreet: “Yeah.”
The newlyweds departed in a grand Ascot Landau horse-drawn carriage for a wedding procession through Windsor, with more 100,000 people lining the route.
But in many other aspects the wedding was far from traditional.
While the guest list included a host of royals – Prince Philip, 96, made a defiant and unaided march into St George’s Chapel less than two months after major surgery – the
wedding had been branded the biggest A-list celebrity event of the decade.
Stars joining the happy couple in the chapel included US chat show queen Oprah Winfrey, tennis champion Serena Williams, actor George Clooney and his barrister wife Amal Clooney, Sir Elton John, David and Victoria Beckham and actor Idris Elba.
Meghan has become the first mixed race person in modern history to marry a British senior royal and the influence of African-american culture was apparent throughout the service.
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby officiated with the measured solemnity common to Church of England services. But in contrast American bishop Most Reverend Michael Curry gave a dramatic 14-minute address entitled The Power of Love.
His passionate speech touched on issues including slavery and poverty, and even channelled the spirit of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
In his speech the bishop, the first African-american presiding bishop and primate of the Episcopal Church, said: “We must discover the power of love, the redemptive power of love. And when we do that, we will be able to make of this old world a new world. Love is the only way.
“There’s power in love. Love can help and heal when nothing else can. There’s power in love to lift up and liberate when nothing else will.” The uplifting sound of gospel music, with The Kingdom Choir singing Ben E King’s soul classic Stand By Me, was another touching moment. It also performed Etta James’ version of Amen/this Little Light of Mine as the newlyweds left the chapel.
Meghan’s five metre-long train, held in place by Queen Mary’s diamond tiara, emphasised cultural diversity by featuring flowers from all 53 Commonwealth nations. She also chose to start the walk down the aisle by herself, before being met half-way by Prince Charles.
The run-up to the wedding had seen drama more in keeping with reality TV stars the Karshadians than the Windsors, as the bride’s father Thomas Markle became caught up in controversy after allegedly staging photographs with the paparazzi. He was unable to travel to the wedding due to having to undergo heart surgery in the US, but reportedly watched the ceremony from California.
He said afterwards: “My baby looks beautiful and she looks very happy. I wish I was there and I wish them all my love and all happiness” In another departure from the norm, Meghan did not promise to “obey” her husband in the vows, while Prince Harry has broken with royal tradition by choosing to wear a wedding ring.
He was also given special permission from the Queen to sport facial hair while wearing the Blues and Royals military uniform.
It is customary to be clean-shaven when dressed in Army uniform.
Prince Harry and his father, the Prince of Wales made speeches at the lunchtime reception hosted by the Queen.
His new wife chose to give a speech at their evening wedding reception.
My baby looks beautiful and she looks very happy. - Thomas Markle
The world stopped to watch the royal couple tie the knot yesterday.
More than 100,000 people flooded into Windsor to get close to the ceremony, while an estimated 21 million Britons tuned in to watch on their TV, with the worldwide audience expected to run into hundreds of millions.
This was fuelled by huge interest from the United States, the Duchess of Sussex’s homeland.
Across England hundreds of street parties took place in glorious sunshine, while retailers reported spikes in the sales of party decorations.
In Scotland the village of Markle in East Lothian, with just 70 residents, saw more than 50 party-goers turn up for the celebrations in the centre of a former steading.
Party organiser Lorna Field, 63, said: “We just want to be a part of the day and raise a glass to them and to wish ourselves well, too.”
In Orwell Wynd, East Kilbride, residents organised a barbecue and party.
Organiser Angela Logie, a 41-year-old IT worker, said: “We’ve been so lucky with the weather. It’s been amazing.”
Scotland was also well represented in Windsor, including Janette Hunter from Chapelhall near Airdrie.
The 80-year-old’s son Alan has lived in Windsor for 25 years and has a house on the procession route so the family had a prime spot for the cavalcade.
In the United States, British-themed pubs in Los Angeles celebrated with “slumber parties” given it was 4am local time when the nuptials got under way.
Scores of well-wishers in fancy dress descended on the Cat and Fiddle pub in Hollywood, while staff served traditional English food and drink with the wedding showing on televisions around the bar.
Claudia Chick, 22, who is originally from London but now lives in Los Angeles, said: “The wedding was amazing, I was tearing up.”
Los Angeles’ British Consulate hosted 150 people for afternoon tea yesterday to mark the occasion, while girls studying at Ms Markle’s former school – the Immaculate Heart, in Hollywood – also gathered to watch the wedding.
In the southern Africa country of Lesotho – where Prince Harry spent eight weeks volunteering in 2004 and founded a charity for children living with HIV and Aids – there were celebrations too. The village of Mohales Hoek, which Prince Harry visited, held a street party.
Elsewhere in Africa, at a plush hotel in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, guests were charged the equivalent of £7,000 for couples to watch the event over a six-hour lunch.
Back in the UK the hotspot for street parties was Richmond in London, which had 93 parties. Meanwhile, hundreds of people watched the wedding in a sun-baked Leeds city centre.
Pubs in England and Wales were also allowed to stay open until 1am instead of closing at 11pm last night.
Royal wedding fever was also positive for retailers selling goods for people organising parties. Lisa Rutherford, a buyer at John Lewis, said: “Over the past week sales of our royal wedding party decorations, napkins, plates and cups have increased 279% on the previous week.”
“In total we expect to sell over 22,000 royal wedding-related products from china mugs to party napkins and tea towels.”
The beauty of the bride was matched by the glamour of the guests.
For A-list stars from the worlds of film, television, music and fashion were present, testimony to Harry and Meghan’s professional and charitable work.
Hollywood heart-throb George Clooney and wife Amal led a cast of celebrities attending the Windsor Castle ceremony. Her stylish mustardcoloured dress won rave reviews among the crowd and online fashion fans.
The spectators were also delighted by the appearance of actor Idris Elba, who plays tough detective DCI John Luther in the BBC series Luther. Idris and fiancee Sabrina Dhowre were among the first guests to arrive.
They were joined by actor Tom Hardy and his wife Charlotte Riley. American chat show queen Oprah Winfrey, a long-time friend of Meghan’s, flew in from the United States.
After the ceremony it emerged her pink-layered dress, trimmed with lace, was a late substitute. She described how fashion designer Stella Mccartney’s staff worked “all night” to fix what she referred to as “dress-gate”.
In an Instagram caption she wrote: “Thank you @stellamccartney! Realized Friday morning the beige dress I was planning to wear to Royal ceremony would photograph too “white” for a wedding. Her team did this overnite. OMG was this an extraordinary day!”
Oprah was joined by the cast of the TV series Suits, in which Meghan had a starring role. Last month, Meghan bid “farewell” to her acting career, role as paralegal Rachel Zane, and her on-screen family of co-stars.
Her Suits husband, Patrick J. Adams, was there with his wife, Pretty Little Liar star, Troian Bellisario, sporting a stylish peach gown. He had posted his photo and thoughts on Instagram, saying: “The last supper #royalwedding.”
Fellow Suits cast members Gina Torres looked statuesque in a floral dress and cream hat, while Sarah Rafferty wore a stunning navy dress with oversized puffball sleeves.
Abigail Spencer sported a retro-style blue polka dot dress while actress, singer and Miss World winner Priyanka Chopra looked chic in cool lavender. British showbiz Sir Elton John arrived with his trademark zany specs in striking pink. He was accompanied by his partner David Furnish.
The star-studded guests also included singersongwriter and former Army officer James Blunt. Long-standing friend of Meghan, Serena Williams, wore a pink dress, a popular colour choice for guests. She was accompanied by partner Alexis Ohanian, an internet entrepreneur.
The tennis star said: “I have known her for so many years and I’m so happy for her.” James Corden, host of the CBS late-night TV talk show, jetted in with his producer wife, Julia Carey, splendid in dusky pink.
David and Victoria Beckham held hands as they arrived. She wore a stylish dark navy dress and a solemn face. Her wan expression provoked an online flurry of comments asking why she rarely smiles. He, in contrast, waved and smiled to the crowd who were inside the grounds of Windsor Castle.
Prince Harry’s ex-girlfriends Chelsy Davy and Cressida Bonas were certainly not excluded from the guest list. Chelsy wore a monochromatic navy ensemble with a feathered fascinator. Meanwhile, Cressida wore a pink and green striped dress. Cressida and Harry dated on and off for several years, from their first meeting in 2004 to when she was a guest at Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding. Broadcaster Dan Snow and wife Edwina Grosvenor attended. She wore an on-trend cream, black and pink frock.
Singer songwriter Joss Stone, a friend of Harry, sported a trendy floral dress.
Rugby mad fan Harry invited his friend Sir Clive Woodward and Jayne Williams,
He is a decorated former rugby player and coach in England.