Harry & glorious
Joy at the wedding that rewrote royal rulebook
IT’S the stuff of fairytales as beaming Meghan Markle kisses her besotted husband Prince Harry to seal their glorious wedding yesterday.
Guests and spectators at Windsor Castle cheered and the chorus of approval was echoed by TV millions around the world.
For this was the happiest of days as Harry, 33, and Meghan, 36, tied the knot in a ceremony stripped of stuffy formality and loaded with warmth, love, inclusivity – and an inspirational sermon by US bishop Michael Curry.
The couple flashed a thousand smiles – maybe more – as they lapped up every moment.
Harry constantly stroked Meghan’s hand as they shared loving glances.
After stepping from 14th century St George’s Chapel, Meghan asked Harry: “Do we kiss?” He gleefully said: “Yeah.”
DRINK
Moments earlier the cheeky Prince had told Meghan: “I’m ready for a drink now!”
The couple had smiled throughout a memorable service which saw Meghan arrive at Harry’s side and greet him with one word: “Hi.”
The prince was left open-mouthed by his stunning bride and told her: “You look amazing.” She replied: “Thank you.”
Harry also told Prince Charles “Thank you, Pa” after he walked Meghan part-way down the aisle.
The wedding began at midday after more than 600 guests arrived with military precision – the earliest at 9.30am. Kensington Palace had announced earlier that the UK Queen had given the couple the titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
The first royals entered just before 11.30am. Ten minutes later Harry and brother Prince William, his best man, strolled through the castle grounds and entered the West Door.
They wore the frock coat uniform of the Blues and Royals. Ex-soldier Harry had his Pilot Wings badge on his chest, which he got for flying Apache helicopters.
A fanfare played as the Queen entered. She wore a lime, lemon, purple and grey printed silk dress by designer Stuart Parvin and a hat by Angela Kelly.
Harry and William had a 10-minute wait for the bride and filled it chatting, giggling and mouthing “hello” to guests who included actor George Clooney, TV’S Oprah Winfrey, singer Sir Elton John and soccer’s David Beckham.
Beaming Meghan arrived at 11.57am in a vintage Rollsroyce Phantom IV, passing huge crowds along Windsor Castle’s famous Long Walk. Her mother Doria Ragland, 61, was beside her and wore a custom-made lime dress.
The bride stepped out to give the world its first glimpse of her stunning white silk gown, created by British designer Clare Waight Keller, artistic director at Givenchy. Palace sources said Meghan worked closely in its creation. The 16ft veil included a flower design from each of the 53 commonwealth countries. Her tiara was Queen Mary’s 1932 Diamond Bandeau, loaned by the Queen.
And her simple bouquet of white flowers contained several blooms handpicked by Harry from their garden in Kensington Palace. Meghan had four page boys – William’s son Prince George, Harry’s godson Jasper Dyer, six, and twins John and Brian Mulroney, the seven-year-old sons of Meghan’s pal Jessica.
One of the little bridesmaids shed a tear and had to be comforted by a nanny. But it was the tiniest of blips.
As Meghan stepped into the chapel, sunlight streamed in behind her and there were gasps from guests. Harry looked a little flushed as he realised the moment had arrived.
There were six bridesmaids – William’s daughter Princess Charlotte, three, Harry’s god-daughters Zalie Warren, two, and Florence van Cutsem, three, Meghan’s god-daughters Remi and Rylan Litt, aged six and seven, and Ivy Mulroney, four.
Greeting the couple, the Rev David Conner – the Dean of Windsor – said: “We have come together to witness the marriage of Henry Charles Albert David and Rachel Meghan.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Rt Rev Justin Welby, then took over as Harry and Meghan looked at one another and held hands. They smiled and grinned as he asked if anyone objected to their marriage.
The Archbishop asked the Prince: “Harry, will you take Meghan to be your wife? Will you love her, comfort
her, honour and protect her, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?”
He replied: “I will” and burst into laughter upon hearing cheers from outside the chapel. Asked the same question, Maghan grinned: “I will” – which was again greeted by cheers.
The couple swapped rings made by Cleave and Company. Meghan gently cradled Harry’s hand as he placed a ring fashioned from Welsh gold on her finger. She then gave Harry a platinum band with a textured finish. They were declared husband and wife at 12.40pm to huge cheers from within the castle grounds and beyond.
American bishop Michael Curry then had the congregation enthralled with a 13-minute sermon which drew a massive thumbs-up on Twitter.
Quoting Martin Luther King Jr, he said: “We must discover the power of love, the redemptive power of love. And when we discover that, we will be able to make of this old world a new word. Love is the only way.”
He added: “There’s power in love. Do not underestimate it. Anyone who has ever fallen in love, knows what I mean. Such power can be seen in the service. Two young people fell in love and we all showed up.” The charismatic clergyman had Harry and Meghan in hysterics, telling them: “We’ve got to get ya’ll married!” Gospel singers The Kingdom Choir gave a powerful rendition of Stand By Me and cellist Sheku Kanneh-mason, 19, played three pieces.
Above all, the day was encapsulated by smiles. Prince Charles beamed with pride. And the Queen and Prince Philip – fit again after his hip replacement – looked as happy as ever. The air of informality was typified as cameras picked up Mike Tindall stroking the baby bump of wife Zara, daughter of Princess Anne.
After signing the register the newlyweds joined in the National Anthem before leaving the chapel to cheers.
Then came that kiss... and a joyful carriage procession through Windsor to the delight of a 100,000 crowd.
There’s such power in love ... two young people fell in love and we all showed up BISHOP MICHAEL CURRY U.S. CLERGYMAN GIVING SERMON