A DUCH OF CLASS:
THE BEST ROYAL WEDDING EVER: SECRETS BEHIND ‘PERFECT DAY’ Six months’ planning ends with sensational success
WITH a dashing prince marrying a glamorous actress in a picturesque castle, it was always going to be a day to remember.
But Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s nuptials may go down as the best wedding ever staged.
From the movie stars to the glorious late spring sunshine, everything was picture perfect.
Royal officials had been given six months to make sure the big day went without a flaw, in a planning operation that involved thousands of people and, no doubt, many sleepless nights.
Experts believe that, in the end, the event cost in excess of £30million but, in return, it has given the British economy a £500million boost thanks to increased tourism and merchandise sales.
One royal observer said: “Thanks to Harry and Meghan people who previously thought the monarchy wasn’t for them may now take a far greater interest. That interest, especially from Americans, will be a massive boost for the Royal Family and the UK economy.”
In all, more than two billion people around the world tuned in to watch the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex get married. About 13 million watched the BBC’s coverage, while 3.6 million saw it on ITV.
Viewers soon noted that the royal couple had shunned a traditional, “stuffy” ceremony. Instead of sundry politicians and heads of state, there were the likes of George and Amal Clooney, Elton John and David and Victoria Beckham. Rather than military fanfares, guests enjoyed cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, 19, and a gospel choir.
The more inclusive nature of the occasion was shown in the decision to invite 2,640 members of the public into Windsor Castle. They comprised people nominated by Lord-Lieutenants in the counties and others from charities, local schools and residents.
Despite months of speculation and probing, Kensington Palace had managed to keep large parts of the ceremony under wraps. Designer Clare Waight Keller was even banned from telling her own family she was making the stunning dress.
She secretly met with Meghan in her West London home to discuss the £200,000 Givenchy gown. Clare, 47, was told she had been chosen in January – a moment she says was “extraordinary”.
One of the most important and trickiest things for the wedding
It had a modern twist that will help to keep the royals relevant in the 21st century JOE LITTLE, OF MAJESTY MAGAZINE, ON HOW THE PUBLIC LOVED THE BIG DAY
organisers to handle was the two-tier 600-place seating arrangements inside St George’s Chapel. Those in the “golden ticket” zone in the Quire included the Royal Family, Doria Ragland, the Clooneys and Oprah Winfrey. Golden ticket holders all got a goodie bag with a giant chocolate coin branded with the date of the wedding, Harry and Meghan shortbread, a fridge magnet, Windsor Castle-branded water, the Order of Service and a discount voucher for the Windsor Castle shop. The Mirror found at least three bags up for grabs on eBay last night, with bids at £211. The remaining guests sat in the rear section of the chapel on wooden seats and watched the ceremony on giant TV screens.
Britain’s Got Talent opera singer Ronan Busfield, 33, was just 100 metres from Harry and Meghan when they shared their momentous kiss on the
chapel steps. The former Windsor Castle lay clerk and choir singer watched from a friend’s room in Horseshoe Cloister and said: “It was beautiful.” The wedding cost around £10million more than Prince William and Kate’s in 2011 due to extra security measures needed to safeguard the town. Concrete bollards were erected to thwart a vehicleborne terror attack, as part of an operation that spanned many weeks and included last Thursday’s rehearsal through Windsor.
While the Royal Family footed the bill for the service, flowers, decorations and two receptions, taxpayers paid for security. The event proved a boon to the local economy. US TV networks paid more than £1million to hotels to erect studios on rooftops and homeowners rented out properties on Airbnb for up to £800 per night. Shops and street sellers did a roaring trade throughout the day. Joe Little, of Majesty magazine, summed up the event, saying: “This was vastly different to all royal weddings before it – a modern twist on a royal story. The wedding, and the couple’s public image, will help to keep the royals relevant in the 21st century.”
A 39-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault as crowds gathered in the town centre, and a 34-year-old local man was arrested on suspicion of assault outside a pub later at 10pm.