A ROYALLY PERFECT DAY
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are putting their personal stamp on their fairy-tale nuptials
From the dress to the guest list, exclusive new secrets of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding.
Meghan Markle has issued a warning to her closest friends: Don’t blow it! With just weeks to go until she marries Prince Harry, “Meghan has asked her pals not to document, especially on social media, any of the wedding details, bridesmaid dress fittings, purchases or anything that could reveal information about her plans,” says a source. “She doesn’t want to ruin the element of surprise for her big day.”
But details continue to trickle out. As Meghan, 36, and Harry, 33, final- ize preparations for their fairy- tale nuptials on May 19, Life & Style has learned what Meghan will wear, who Harry hopes will sing, who scored invites (and who didn’t) and more. Life & Style has also exclusively confirmed that Meghan’s reclusive father, retired Hollywood lighting director Thomas Markle Sr., will be at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle for his youngest child’s big day (as will her mom, Doria Ragland). “Meghan’s dad will be flying in from Mexico to walk her down the aisle,” says an insider. “He wouldn’t miss it.”
STARS & SNUBS
Several of Meghan’s relatives will be missing out, though. The palace sent out 600 hand-printed invitations in mid-march, but Meghan’s estranged halfsister, Samantha Grant, and half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., “are not invited,” confirms the insider. “Meghan hasn’t forgiven them for talking about her [in the media], and the last thing she needs is them causing havoc.” They’re not the only ones being left off the guest list. A Suits insider tells Life & Style that “several people who were close to Meghan g on
the show for the past seven years have yet to receive their invites” and feel they “have officially been snubbed.” Co-stars like Abigail Spencer and Patrick J. Adams ( plus his wife, Troian Bellisario) made the cut, says the insider, as did other celeb pals Elton John, Serena Williams and David and Victoria Beckham. “Harry,” adds the royals insider, “would love Victoria and the Spice Girls to perform!”
Meghan’s struggled to nail down what she’ll wear. Like Kate Middleton, she’s keeping the de- signer of the wedding dress a secret, but a second source says she’s leaning toward a $400,000 Ralph & Russo gown for the ceremony. Close friends are helping her pick out her wedding bling. “A favorite is Maison Birks,” says the insider. “She’s going to wear elegant jewelry, nothing too over-the-top.”
With this wedding, tradition will be respected — but not always followed. Instead of the standard fruitcake, Meghan and Harry’s wedding cake will be lemon-and-elderflower flavored with buttercream frosting and real flower decorations. “It’s funny,” says a Toronto insider, “because when Meghan was dating chef Cory Vitiello [right before Harry], one of her favorite snacks was the lemon cupcake from Almond Butterfly bakery across from Cory’s restaurant.” As far as Harry’s concerned, what Meghan wants, Meghan gets. “She’s been handson,” says the first source. “Meghan’s a perfectionist, and this is going to be the ultimate wedding.”