May nuptials for Harry and Meghan
Royal wedding set for Windsor Castle’s St. George’s Chapel
LONDON— It will be a spring wedding on the glorious grounds of Windsor Castle for love-struck Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Royal officials — thrilled with the international response to news of the couple’s engagement and reaction to their first TV appearance — revealed a few key details Tuesday but kept mum on others, such as Harry’s best man.
The wedding will be in May, but the date has not been selected, Harry’s communications secretary, Jason Knauf, told a packed briefing at Buckingham Palace.
“In a happy moment in their lives, it means a great deal to them that so many people throughout the U.K., the Commonwealth and around the world are celebrating with them,” he said before fielding questions about things like how many of Markle’s rescue dogs would move to Britain with her.
Knauf said Harry’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, 91, had given permission for the couple to wed at St. George’s Chapel, the historic church at Windsor Castle that long has been a touchstone for royal rites of passage.
Windsor Castle, west of London, is one of the queen’s favorite residences. St. George’s, the 15th-century chapel where the couple will wed, is more intimate than Westminster Abbey, where Harry’s older brother, William, married Kate Middleton in 2011.
The image-conscious royals also said in a statement that the royal family, not British taxpayers, will foot the bill. The family will pay for the church service, the music, the flowers, the decorations and the reception.
Harry’s press team is keeping some details — perhaps because decisions have not been made.
It’s also not clear who will be Harry’s best man, though older brother William would seem to be a strong contender.
Knauf also would not say whether Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby will preside over the service. As for what titles will be given to Harry and Markle, that will be decided by the queen and revealed at a later date.
Knauf said Markle will comply with all immigration requirements and will become a British citizen, a process that may take several years, and will retain her U.S. citizenship throughout the process.