A thoroughly modern marriage
After a week of family drama, the wedding of the year went off without a hitch. At once re ined and lamboyant, the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex started their married life side by side staring into each other’s eyes, giddy with joy. Juliet Rieden report
We’ve been waiting for this wedding for a long time, but it was certainly worth it. To see Prince Harry, the most popular of the young royals, bursting with happiness on what must surely be the best day of his life to date was totally mesmerising. Protocols were pushed aside as each and every part of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding said something new and special about this very modern multicultural couple.
The royal town of Windsor went into lockdown and meltdown with 120,000 descending; arriving by train, car, boat and plane. Many chose to sleep out overnight in a chilly six degrees to nail prime positions along the carriage route. As the sun came up and shone brightly throughout, the crowds swelled and every corner of the town and Windsor Great Park lled with ag-waving revellers.
This was a private wedding, with just 600 guests, no heads of state or politicians, no foreign relations diplomacy, just Harry and Meghan with those closest to them from their combined worlds – Britain, the US and the Commonwealth. But it also felt as if the whole world was invited in to watch what turned out to be an intimate ceremony packed with powerful emotion.
Oprah Winfrey was one of the rst to arrive, leading a smattering of celebrity guests that included Serena Williams, David and Victoria Beckham, George and Amal Clooney and, of course, Meghan’s co-stars from TV drama Suits. That morning, tennis royalty Serena had posted a cute
video on social media saying, “My friend’s getting married. I’m up super early – for me – and I’ve known her for so many years and I’m so happy for her.” And this was clearly felt by everyone.
The royal party arrived next, starting with Diana’s brother, Earl Spencer. In that memorable speech from his sister’s funeral, he had vowed to watch over Diana’s boys, so today would have been especially poignant. Sarah, Duchess of York, who wasn’t invited to Kate and William’s wedding, looked chuffed to be part of this occasion, and Princess Eugenie had ancé Jack Brooksbank on her arm – the couple will themselves marry at St George’s Chapel in October.
Last to arrive was Her Majesty The Queen with the Duke of Edinburgh who looked surprisingly spritely just weeks after his hip surgery. It is thought Prince Harry chose to have his wedding at Windsor to ensure his beloved grandparents could be there.
Like Kate before her, Meghan chose not to “obey” in her vows, and unlike his brother and other royal men, Prince Harry opted to wear his wedding ring, a platinum band crafted by royal jewellers Cleave and Company, who also made Meghan’s engagement ring. Equality, respect and a powerful love are the ruling emotions for the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who are itching to start their new lives together changing the world.
“They’re passionately committed to changing the lives of people, to helping children, to empowering women, to doing things that actually
Equality, respect and a powerful love are the ruling emotions for the Duke and Duchess.
make a difference,” Bishop Curry, the American preacher whose 14-minute sermon dominated the service, said in an interview with the BBC.
The ceremony was also truly multicultural. “It was unreal, that’s how it was ... and a history-making moment,” said Karen Gibson, the leader of the Kingdom Choir, the all-black British gospel choir that brought contemporary air to the stirring music played during the wedding. “It feels like it’s something new. Brand new and fresh.”
When bride and groom appeared on the steps, photos of their kiss lit up the internet and the world cheered. The couple greeted the public in a carriage procession, waving at the crowds, and then headed into St George’s Hall to meet their guests at a reception compered by the
Best Man, Prince William.
At the reception Prince Charles was seen with Meghan’s mother
Doria Ragland on his arm and gave an emotional speech that moved many to tears. For the Prince of Wales, watching his second son marry the love of his life was a very special day. His Royal Highness talked about watching his little boy move on to become a ne young man and called his son “darling old Harry”.
Prince Harry’s speech revealed his overwhelming joy as the newlywed announced he was the happiest man in the world. He reportedly then jokingly asked whether anyone in the room could play the piano and introduced Sir Elton John, who played Tiny Dancer, which he dedicated to the bride, Your Song and Circle of
Life from The Lion King.
Earlier, Bishop Curry had evoked Dr Martin Luther King Jr, and those sentiments summed up this very special union. “We must discover the power of love, the redemptive power of love and when we do that we will make of this old world a new world.”
“It was unreal, that’s how it was ... and a history-making moment. It feels like it’s something new.”
“She chooses me and I choose her ... whatever we have to tackle will be us together as a team.” – Prince Harry