Royal wedding in May at Windsor Castle
● Meghan Markle to become British citizen and be baptised before ceremony
Prince Harry and bride-to-be Meghan Markle are to marry in May at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, Kensington Palace has announced.
The American actress intends to become a British citizen. Ms Markle, a Protestant who went to a Catholic high school, will also be both baptised and confirmed, ready for the religious ceremony.
The Royal Family will pay for the wedding, including the church service, the music, the flowers and the reception, Kensington Palace said.
Prince Harry’s communication’s secretary, Jason Knauf, said Windsor was a “very special place” for Harry, and that he and Ms Markle had spent time there together during their 16-month romance.
He added that the couple were delighted to be holding the wedding in the “beautiful grounds of Windsor”.
Mr Knauf said the couple, who were grateful for the warm wishes from the public, would be putting their stamp on their wedding day.
“They will be making sure it reflects who they are as a couple,” he said.
Kensington Palace also revealed that Prince Harry and Ms Markle will carry out their first official engagement together in Nottingham on Friday.
Mr Knauf also revealed that while one of Ms Markle’s beloved dogs, Guy, was legally allowed to stay with her in the UK, the other – Bogart – would not be joining her.
“Bogart is now living with friends,” Mr Knauf said.
In Nottingham, the couple will visit the Nottingham Contemporary art gallery, which is hosting a Terrence Higgins Trust World Aids Day charity fair, and will spend time at Nottingham Academy to meet headteachers taking part in the Full Effect programme.
There will also be a walkabout by the couple.
Ms Markle is also to become the fourth patron of the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.
It has been revealed that the actress will not be continuing her work on gender with the United Nations or with other organisations, but instead will starting her charity work afresh as a member of the Royal Family.
The exact date of the wedding will be revealed at a later stage.
Mr Knauf said Prince Harry and Ms Markle “want the public to feel part of their day” and are looking at ways to achieve that.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte have also been introduced to the newest member of the family. Mr Knauf said the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s children had met Ms Markle on many occasions.
St George’s Chapel is a “Royal Peculiar” – meaning it is exempt from the jurisdiction of the diocese and subject to the direct jurisdiction of the monarch. The palace said the Queen has granted permission for the wedding to take place at the chapel.
In 2005, the monarch attended the blessing of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall – both divorcees – in St George’s, but did not go to their civil ceremony. Buckingham Palace confirmed the Queen will be a guest at Prince Harry’s wedding.