Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in impressive royal wedding
Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were today pronounced man and wife at the majestic St George's Chapel in iconic Windsor Castle...
Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were today pronounced man and wife at the majestic St George's Chapel in iconic Windsor Castle where the couple exchanged wedding vows and sealed their marriage with a kiss before millions of people around the world who watched the glorious event. The couple were pronounced husband and wife by the Archbishop of Canterbury, cheered on by crowds watching on large screens outside and watched over by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip among the other members of the royal family.
It had been announced earlier that the 92-year-old monarch had bestowed the titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the newly-weds in keeping with royal tradition. The royal couple exchanged their vows and rings in the presence of 600 guests, which included the likes of Meghan's close friend Indian actress Priyanka Chopra and other celebrities like George and Amal Clooney, David and Victoria Beckham and Sir Elton John.
After their marriage ceremony, Prince Harry and Meghan emerged from the chapel -- Household Cavalry lining the steps -- and shared their first kiss as a married couple. The crowd cheered wildly on witnessing the much-awaited scene. The service was conducted by the Dean of Windsor with Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the spiritual head of the Anglican Church, overseeing the exchange of vows. A black US bishop, Michael Bruce Curry, gave the wedding address.
The wedding became official when Justin Welby read this: "In the presence of God, and before this congregation, Harry and Meghan have given their consent and made their marriage vows to each other. They have declared their marriage by the joining of hands and by the giving and receiving of rings. I therefore proclaim that they are husband and wife." Harry, 33, and Meghan, 36, became the sixteenth Royal Couple to celebrate their Marriage at Windsor Castle since 1863.
Harry was seen smiling as Meghan entered the Chapel with Prince Charles. Prince Charles stepped into the role of Meghan's father and walked her down the aisle for her marriage with Harry after it was confirmed that her father Thomas Markle Sr would not be attending the wedding ceremony due to ill-health. Markle's mother, Doria Ragland, arrived earlier as the only member of Markle's family to attend the wedding.
After an hour-long ceremony, which included hymns and readings, the newly-weds set off to take a tour of Windsor city centre in a traditional open-top Ascot Landau horse-drawn carriage. Prince Harry's niece, three-year-old Princess Charlotte, was one of the six young girls chosen as bridesmaids at the wedding and her elder brother, Prince George, aged four, was a pageboy among a total of 10 children chosen for the roles. The royal couple choose modern touch to their marriage ceremony.
Instead of using traditional vows, the royal couple selected words from The Marriage Service from Common Worship (2000). They pledged themselves to one another: "for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part". An estimated 100,000 people lined the streets of Windsor, around 26 miles from London, hoping to catch a glimpse of the happy couple. Around 30 members of the royal family including the Queen and the 96-year-old Duke of Edinburgh, who is well enough to attend after undergoing a recent hip operation, were part of the formal wedding party.
As per the official order of ceremony between "His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales and Ms Meghan Markle", the couple pledged themselves to one another, saying: "For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part." Harry, the sixth in line to the British throne, pledged to love, comfort, honour and protect his former actress bride as they become husband and wife. Markle chose not to read out the archaic part of the wedding vows about wanting to "obey" her husband and Prince Harry chose to also have a wedding ring.
Markle had 10 bridesmaids and pageboys, all under the age of eight, including Harry's nephew and niece Prince George and Princess Charlotte, the children of Prince William and Kate Middleton. The Most Rev Bishop Michael Curry, the 27th presiding bishop and primate of the Episcopal Church, from Chicago, gave a rousing address invoking Martin Luther King Jr's words at the wedding and the Rt Rev David Conner, Dean of Windsor, conducted the service.
As a representative of Harry's late mother's side of the family, Lady Jane Fellowes, the sister of Diana, Princess of Wales, gave a reading. As the bride and groom signed the wedding register, 19-year-old cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason - winner of the 2016 BBC's Young Musician - performed three pieces - by Faure, Schubert and Maria Theresia von Paradis, with musicians from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the English Chamber Orchestra and the Philharmonia.
Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir performed Ben E. King's soul classic Stand By Me' during the service. The gospel choir also performed Etta James' uplifting version of Amen/This Little Light of Mine' as the newlyweds leave the chapel. The couple announced their engagement in November 2017, during which Harry said the stars were aligned when the beautiful actress, best-known for her role in the TV series Suits', tripped and fell into his life.