ROYAL WEDDING
Millions watch across the globe as Harry, Meghan exchange vows
Meghan Markle reacts as she rides in a carriage with her husband, Britain’s Prince Harry, after their wedding ceremony at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, on Saturday.
Windsor, England — Prince Harry, sixth in line to the British throne, and American actress Meghan Markle exchanged marriage vows Saturday in a tradition-imbued ceremony that was seen by millions worldwide but filled with intimate moments, including the groom’s almost bashful-sounding aside as the bride arrived at the altar: “You look amazing.”
Huge crowds gathered under sunny skies outside Windsor Castle, and invited guests in frippery and finery filled St. George’s Chapel within the castle walls for the noontime royal wedding.
“I will,” both Harry and Meghan recited, smiling, as each was asked if they would wed the other. The audience greeted the vows with ripples of joyous laughter.
“Two young people fell in love, and we all showed up,” said Bishop Michael Curry, the African-American head of the Episcopal Church, in a rousing address that invoked the biblical Solomon and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
In another departure from tradition, his remarks were followed by a gospel rendition of the Ben E. King song “Stand by Me.”
On the eve of the wedding, Harry had emerged from behind the thick stone walls of the castle on Friday to greet well-wishers clustered outside. It was an unconventional gesture — but by royal standards, it’s an unconventional match.
The prince married an American divorcee who’s had a successful TV acting career. She’s even slightly older: 36 to his 33. The two met on a blind date set up by a mutual friend, conducted an under-the-radar romance and announced their engagement last year.
“Great, thank you!” a smiling Harry answered when an onlooker asked how he felt, giving a thumbs-up. He was flanked by his elder brother and best man, Prince William.
Tens of thousands of spectators, many having traveled from far-flung parts of the world, flooded into Windsor on Saturday for a spectacle that was part Old England and part Hollywood. The guest list included royal relatives, friends of the bride from her TV legal drama, “Suits,” and army buddies of Harry, who served in Afghanistan.
Many of the female wedding guests wore elaborate headgear, fanciful concoctions of felt, tulle and netting. The crowd cheered the arrival of George and Amal Clooney, the actor dapper in a light-gray suit and his human rights lawyer wife in brilliant canary yellow. Soccer star David Beckham, in a morning coat, stopped to let a fan snap a photo, while his fashion-designer wife Victoria Beckham wore a severely chic dark-navy ensemble.
Among others seen entering: tennis star Serena Williams, comedian and TV host James Corden, TV producer Julia Carey; actor Idris Elba, plus Elton John and Oprah Winfrey and the large “Suits” contingent.
About 20 minutes before the scheduled start of the ceremony, the groom arrived at the chapel, accompanied by his best man and elder brother, Prince William. Each was dressed in the dark blue frock-coat military uniform of the Blues and Royals, a cavalry regiment.
The brothers waved to a crowd of some 2,000 well-wishers who were invited onto the grounds of the castle, before ascending the steps of the chapel together.
Tens of thousands of spectators, many having traveled from far-flung parts of the world, flooded into Windsor on Saturday for a spectacle that was part Old England and part Hollywood. The guest list included royal relatives, friends of the bride from her TV legal drama, “Suits,” and army buddies of Harry, who served in Afghanistan.