Relive Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Fairytale 2018 Royal Wedding
Look back at Harry and Meghan's royal wedding ahead of binging their Netflix docuseries.
It's been more than four years since Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan exchanged vows at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. In the time since, the couple has welcomed their first child, son Archie Harrison, announced their decision to step back as senior members of the British royal family, started their first podcast, launched a docu-series with Oprah on mental health, welcomed their second child and launched a Netflix docuseries taking aim at the rest of the British royal family.
As the Duke and Duchess of Sussex look back on their love story, we're taking a look back at their fairytale wedding, from the dress and the cake to the A-list attendees.
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Related: Will Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Make a Rom-Com?
Harry and Meghan's wedding date
The pair wed on a beautiful Spring day May 19, 2018.
Related: Why The Crown Will Never Cover "Megxit"
Where did Prince Harry and Meghan Markle get married?
The wedding was held at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. A palace spokesperson described Windsor Castle as "a very special place" for the bride and groom.
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What did Meghan Markle wear?
Meghan Markle's wedding dress
For her big day, the former American actress turned to British designer Clare Waight Keller, Givenchy's first female artistic director. According to Buckingham Palace, Meghan chose Keller because she wanted to highlight the success of a leading British talent who has served as the creative head of three globally influential fashion houses" (Pringle of Scotland, Chloé and Givenchy). The bride and designer "worked closely together" on the gown, which was made from an exclusive double-bonded silk cady. The pure white design featured an open bateau neckline, as well as three-quarter sleeves that gave the gown a modern touch.
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The significance of the veil
Meghan wanted the 53 countries of the Commonwealth represented at the ceremony, so she asked Keller to design a veil that featured the distinctive flora of each Commonwealth country united in one floral composition. In addition to the flora of the Commonwealth, the Duchess also had the California Poppy, the state flower of her native California, incorporated into the veil, along with the Wintersweet, which grows on the grounds of Kensington Palace in front of her and Harry's former home Nottingham Cottage. The design was five meters long and was made from silk tulle with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers in silk threads and organza.
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Meghan Markle's wedding day tiara
Queen Elizabeth lent her new granddaughter-in-law Queen Mary's Diamond Bandeau tiara for the royal wedding. The sparkling headpiece was made in 1932, with its center, detachable brooch dating back to 1893. The tiara is made of diamonds and platinum.
Meghan Markle's makeup for the wedding
The Suits alum entrusted her longtime friend and makeup artist Daniel Martin with her beauty look. Meghan had her freckles on full display, with Martin later telling Glamour, "She's very much about keeping her skin as real and natural as possible." As for how he achieved her natural beauty look, he said, "I started by prepping her skin with a clarifying toner, water-based moisturizer, and a Korean sunscreen that also acts as a foundation gripper to lock down the foundation. Then I just balanced and neutralized any discolorations where needed with concealer and foundation." Martin added warm tones to the royal bride's eyes and customized corner lashes to give her a "doe-eye look."
Meghan Markle's post-wedding party dress
For the evening reception, Meghan changed out of her Givenchy gown and into a dress designed by Stella McCartney. The modern number was made from silk crepe and was designed with a high neck. The newly-minted Duchess slipped into Aquazurra shoes that were made from silky satin with nude mesh that had soles painted in baby blue. Meghan paid tribute to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, by wearing her aquamarine cocktail ring, which was a gift from Harry to his new wife.
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The bride's bouquet
The day before the wedding, Harry handpicked several flowers from his and Meghan's private garden at Kensington Palace to add to the bouquet designed by florist Philippa Craddock. In honor of Harry's mother, Princess Diana, the late Princess of Wales' favorite flower, Forget-Me-Nots, was included in the bouquet, along with sweet peas, lily of the valley, astilbe, jasmine, astrantia and sprigs of myrtle.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's titles
On her grandson's wedding day, the Queen bestowed a Dukedom upon Harry, making him the Duke of Sussex, Earl of Dumbarton and Baron Kilkeel. Upon Meghan's marriage to the British royal, the former TV star became Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex.
Royal wedding guests
Aside from the Birth royal family, Meghan and Harry had famous friends at their wedding ceremony, including George and Amal Clooney; Oprah Winfrey; Priyanka Chopra; Elton John; Serena Williams; James Corden; David and Victoria Beckham; Idris Elba and Sabrina Dhowre; the cast of Suits—Patrick J. Adams, Gina Torres, Sarah Rafferty, Gabriel Macht and Rick Hoffman; Tom Hardy; James Blunt and Troian Bellisario. Other notable attendees included Duchess Kate's family—Pippa Middleton and her husband James Matthews, James Middleton and Carole Middleton and Michael Middleton. Two of Harry's former flames, Chelsy Davy and Cressida Bonas, were also in attendance.
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The scene-stealing bridal party
Harry's niece and nephew, Princess Charlotte and Prince George, served as a bridesmaid and page boy, respectively. In addition to Prince William's oldest children, Harry's godchildren, Florence van Cutsem, Zalie Warren and Jasper Dyer, and Meghan's goddaughters, Remi Litt and Rylan Litt, had starring roles. The bride's best friend Jessica Mulroney's children, Ivy, Brian and John Mulroney also made up the bridal party. The six bridesmaids wore dresses designed by Clare Waight Keller in the Givenchy Haute Couture Atelier in Paris. The high-waisted dresses were made from Ivory silk Radzimir and designed with short puff sleeves, pockets, a pleated skirt and a double silk ribbon detail tied in the back in a bow. The bridesmaids accessorized their dresses with flower crowns designed by florist Philippa Craddock, and white leather Aquazurra shoes that were monogrammed with their own initials and the wedding date. The four-page boys looked sharp wearing miniature versions of the Blues and Royals frockcoat made by the tailors Dege & Skinner in Savile Row. Each page boy had their initials embroidered in gold on their shoulder straps.
Related: Meghan Markle Says Kate Middleton Made Her Cry Ahead of Her Royal Wedding
The drama down the aisle
Two days before her wedding, Meghan revealed that her father, Thomas Markle, would not be attending. "Sadly, my father will not be attending our wedding. I have always cared for my father and hope he can be given the space he needs to focus on his health," she said. In lieu of her dad, Meghan asked her future father-in-law, Prince Charles, to walk her down the aisle. The palace stated at the time, "The Prince of Wales is pleased to be able to welcome Ms. Markle to The Royal Family in this way." The bride walked herself halfway down the aisle before being joined by Harry's father.
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The rings
The bride and groom chose Cleave and Company to make their wedding rings. Meghan's ring was fashioned from a piece of Welsh Gold that was gifted by the Queen. Meanwhile, Harry's ring was a platinum band with a textured finish. The Duke of Cambridge, who served as his brother's best man, carried the rings into the chapel on the day of the nuptials.
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Royal wedding sermon by Bishop Michael Curry
Bishop Michael Curry, the first black presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, delivered a passionate sermon during the service quoting Martin Luther King Jr. "The late Dr. Martin Luther King once said and I quote, ‘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.’ The love. Love is the only way. There's power in love. Don't underestimate it. Don't even over sentimentalize it. There's power, power in love. If you don't believe me, think about a time when you first fell in love. The whole world seemed to center around you and your beloved. Well, there's power, power in love, not just in its romantic forms, but any form, any shape of love," Curry said. "Love is not selfish and self-centered. Love can be sacrificial and in so doing, becomes redemptive. And that way of unselfish, sacrificial, redemptive love, changes lives and it can change this world."
The bishop concluded his lengthy address referencing the late civil rights activist again saying, "Dr. King was right. We must discover love. The redemptive power of love and when we do that, we will make of this old world a new world. My brother, my sister, god love you, god bless you, and may god hold us all in those all mighty hands of love."
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wedding music
Sheku Kanneh-Mason and The Kingdom Choir
Prince Harry and Meghan took a "great deal of interest and care in choosing the music for their service," which included well-known hymns and choral works under the direction of James Vivian, the director of music at St. George’s Chapel. The Choir of St George’s Chapel performed at the ceremony. They were joined by cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, who won BBC Young Musician 2016; Christian gospel group The Kingdom Choir; an Orchestra conducted by Christopher Warren-Green; Welsh soprano Elin Manahan Thomas; David Blackadder; Luke Bond and State Trumpeters.
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The carriage
After saying "I do," the newlyweds left St. George's Chapel in a carriage pulled by Windsor Grey Horses. Meghan and Harry picked the Ascot Landau carriage for their procession through Windsor Town. After the procession, the carriage returned to Windsor Castle along the Long Walk.
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The royal wedding cake
Pastry chef Claire Ptak, who owns London's Violet Bakery, was picked by Harry and Meghan to make their wedding cake. The royal couple opted for a lemon elderflower cake to incorporate flavors of spring. The cake featured elderflower syrup made at the Queen’s Sandringham residence from the estate’s elderflower trees, in addition to a light sponge cake. The filling of the cake was made from Amalfi lemon curd and elderflower buttercream ties. The dessert was decorated with Swiss meringue buttercream and 150 fresh flowers that were mainly British and in season, including peonies and roses. "I can’t tell you how delighted I am to be chosen to make Prince Harry and Ms. Markle’s wedding cake," Ptak said in a statement ahead of the wedding. "Knowing that they really share the same values as I do about food provenance, sustainability, seasonality and most importantly flavour, makes this the most exciting event to be a part of."
The royal wedding reception
Following the service, Her Majesty hosted a lunchtime reception at St. George's Hall in Windsor Castle for around 600 guests. A selection of canapés and bowl food was served, in addition to the wedding cake. Guests sipped on Pol Roger Brut Réserve Non Vintage Champagne and a selection of wines. Prince Charles and Prince William gave speeches during the reception and Sir Elton John performed, at Harry's request.
At night, the Prince of Wales hosted a private evening reception at Frogmore House for Meghan and Harry's close friends and family. The party included a spectacular display of fireworks and a celebrity DJ, Idris Elba. “Meghan sent me a playlist with some bare tunes on it," Elba later told BBC Radio 1Xtra. The actor revealed that "there was some West Coast" on the playlist and that he played Whitney Houston's "I Want to Dance With Somebody."
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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's departure
The newlyweds were riding in style as they left Windsor Castle for their evening reception in a silver blue Jaguar E-Type Concept Zero. Harry drove himself and his bride to the reception.
Related: Kate Middleton's Style Evolution From Royal Girlfriend to Queen Consort in Waiting
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Who paid for the royal wedding 2018?
Prior to the nuptials, Kensington Palace confirmed that the royal family would foot the wedding bill. "As was the case with the wedding of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, The Royal Family will pay for the core aspects of the wedding, such as the church service, the associated music, flowers, decorations, and the reception afterwards," a palace statement read.
How to watch the royal wedding 2018
Still want more?! Well, you can watch Meghan and Harry's lavish royal wedding online anytime!
Next, find out what Meghan Markle really thought of her and Prince Harry's royal wedding.