A ROYAL TOUCH
All eyes on Windsor Castle
IN JUST one week, US actress Meghan Markle will join a select group of “commoners” to marry into a royal family when she weds Britain’s Prince Harry at Windsor Castle.
Harry and Meghan will marry on May 19 – next Saturday. The decision to wed on a weekend goes against tradition – royal weddings usually take place on a weekday.
While some aspects of the royal wedding are still under wraps, Kensington Palace has divulged a few details ahead of the marriage. Here’s what we know so far:
THE VENUE
The couple will wed in Windsor Castle, a royal residence west of London dating back more than 900 years. The ceremony will take place at midday (11:00 GMT) in St George’s Chapel, the final resting place of 11 monarchs including Henry VIII and Charles I.
THE NUPTUALS
The Dean of Windsor, David Conner, will conduct the service and the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the Church of England’s spiritual leader, the marriage vows. The Archbishop will invite Harry and Markle to declare their intention to marry and lead them in their vows. He will also pray a blessing over the wedding rings and will bless the marriage formally. Markle is expected to omit the vow to “obey” her husband, using the more modern pledge to “love, comfort, honour and keep”.
ROYAL MATTERS
Queen Elizabeth II had to consent to the wedding, as under British law the monarch must approve the marriage of the six people next in line to the throne in order for them to retain their place.
Until last month Harry was fifth in line after his father Prince Charles, brother William and his sibling’s two children, but was bumped down to sixth after the birth of William’s third child Louie.
Markle has been baptised by the Archbishop of Canterbury into the Church of England. The decision was taken out of respect for Queen Elizabeth’s role as the church’s supreme governor.
THE DRESS
Despite attempts to keep the dress and designer a secret until Markle stepped out at St George’s Chapel, the identity of the designer leaked into the press last weekend. Markle will wear a gown by Ralph & Russo, the same designer she wore for her engagement photoshoot.
The hand-stitched, beaded dress which took “hundreds of hours of manpower” to make, reportedly cost £100 000 (R1 691 079). It is to be paid for privately by Harry and his family. Markle will wear a second outfit, possibly by Burberry or Erdem cond dress, to the reception thrown by Charles at Frogmore House in Windsor Great Park.
THE ISLE
Floral designer Philippa Craddock will dress St George’s Chapel and St George’s Hall, incorporating plants from the wildflower meadows of London and foliage from Windsor Great Park. White garden roses, peonies and foxgloves will feature.
William is Harry’s best man. Markle will not have a maid of honour. “She has a very close-knit group of friends, and she did not want to choose one over the other,” a palace spokesman said.
As per tradition all bridesmaids and pageboys will be children.
Markle’s mother, Doria Ragland, will accompany her daughter by car to the front of St George’s Chapel. Markle’s father, Thomas Markle, an award-winning director who lives in Mexico, will walk his daughter down the aisle. The former actress was reportedly planning her own speech for the reception should her father choose not to speak.
Markle’s parents, who divorced when Markle was aged six, are due in London shortly to meet Harry’s grandparents, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, his father, stepmother, Camilla, brother and sister-in-law.
THE GUEST LIST
Kensington Palace said there was no official guest list as heads of state were not invited. Guests had “a direct relationship with the couple”. Some 600 people have been invited to the wedding service and lunchtime reception at St George’s Hall in Windsor Castle. Around 200 guests will go on to an evening reception at Frogmore House, a royal residence south of the castle.
A further 2 640 people will be welcomed into the grounds of Windsor Castle, including charity representatives and military veterans, to watch the arrival of the bride and groom and their carriage procession following the ceremony.
THE FRILLS
A lemon elderflower cake covered with buttercream and decorated with fresh flowers has been created by pastry chef Claire Ptak.
Rather than gifts, the couple asked for donations to seven charities – one in Port Elizabeth.
THE HONEYMOON
The couple will leave the next week. For where? “We won’t comment,” said the palace.
THE BIG BUCKS
Police are preparing for 100 000 people to visit Windsor for the occasion.
Consultancy firm Brand Finance estimates the wedding overall could bring in more than £1-billion for the UK economy this year, with £300million for tourism. –