Catch up on all the details of the build-up and ceremony in Windsor
Full report: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry marry as millions watch
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As the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex get ready for an evening of celebrations (and the rest of us wonder if the Duke of Cambridge will say anything crass in his best man’s speech), we’re wrapping up our live coverage of the day. If you spent your day at the annual European Republic convention you can catch up on all the excitement with Caroline Davies’s report.
Related: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry marry as millions watch
We will shortly be closing the live blog – thanks to all those who have been following it.
Prince Charles was behind the choice of wedding gospel music, according to the choir leader.
Karen Gibson, founder and director of the Kingdom Choir, which performed during the wedding, said Charles’s office first approached her about the group of singers taking part in the wedding.
The evening wedding reception, hosted by the Prince of Wales, will be held at Frogmore House in Windsor. The 17th-century English country house stands in the home park of Windsor Castle and is part of the crown estate.
The event will be a private affair and the newlyweds’ closest friends are expected to attend, allowing the guests to relax and celebrate with the happy couple.
Oprah Winfrey has thanked the fashion designer Stella McCartney and her team for working all night to get her dress finished because she realised on Friday morning that the beige dress she was planning to wear to the ceremony would photograph too “white” for a wedding.
She said: “[Stella McCartney’s] team did this overnite. Hat is vintage philiptreacy been in my closet since 2005 with new feathers. OMG was this an extraordinary day! Harry&Meghan RoyalWedding Lovedeveryminute”.
Kensington Palace said that Meghan would be speaking at the evening reception, not the lunchtime reception as it had mistakenly announced earlier.
Emma Dent Coad, the Labour MP whose constituency covers Kensington Palace and the burnt-out remains of Grenfell Tower, told the Republic convention that the royal family should do more to highlight inequality in her borough.
Dent Coad, who is also a councillor in Kensington and Chelsea, pointed out that her ward was the joint poorest in London. “What does Diana’s youngest son think of that?” she asked the convention.
100 families are still stuck in hotels with some children regressing with appalling mental health and dropping out of school and university. Grenfell has had visits from the royals, and it is very sweet of them to come, but it hasn’t helped at all around Grenfell.
I’m more impressed by the charity work by local celebrities we have seen at Grenfell, who have arrived in limousines rolled up their sleeves and scrubbed the toilets out for an entire day. I won’t tell you who that was, but it was a very famous singer.
Labour MP Emma Dent Coad says the royal family have done virtually nothing for the survivors of the Grenfell tower fire @RepublicStaffpic.twitter.com/1rcsxtw2kG
It is customary to be clean-shaven when dressed in army uniform, but Prince Harry was given special permission by the Queen to sport facial hair while in the frock coat uniform of the Blues and Royals.
In a statement, Kensington Palace said: “Her Majesty the Queen gave her permission for Prince Harry to get married in his uniform.” It is understood that the permission covered the fact Harry has a beard.
The historian Hugo Vickers said the permission may also have been granted because Harry had retired from active service. British army rules do not usually allow beards, except in rare circumstances, such as because of skin complaints or for religious reasons.
If you are not gripped by the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle, you are not the only one. The BBC newsreader Simon McCoy has a nice line in sarcasm when it comes to breaking “news” from the royal family.
The celebrity gossip website TMZ has claimed that Sir Elton John performed Your Song at the lunchtime wedding reception.
The singer was asked by the bridegroom to perform, according to Kensington Palace, though it gave no other details on the performance.
It said in a statement: “Sir Elton performed for the newly married couple in recognition of the close connection he has with Prince Harry and his family.”
Victoria Beckham has sent the royal couple her best wishes in an Instagram post after joining the celebrations at Windsor Castle with her husband, David. She wrote:
Here are a selection of the most frequently asked searches related to the royal wedding, according to Google:
Q. How old is Meghan Markle?
A. She is 36.
Q. How did Harry and Meghan meet?
A. They were set up on a blind date by a mutual friend two years ago.
Q. How long have Harry and Meghan been together?
A. Their relationship began soon after their first date. They announced their engagement in November 2017.
Q. What will Meghan Markle’s title be?
A. She is now known as Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Sussex. She also holds the titles the Countess of Dumbarton and Baroness Kilkeel.
Q. How old is Prince Harry?
A. He is 33.
Q. How tall is Prince Harry?
A. He is reckoned to be about 6ft 1in (186cm).
Q. What is a fascinator?
A. The headwear is a common sight for women at weddings in England.
Graham Smith, chief executive of the anti-monarchy group Republic, has defended hosting the annual European Republic convention on the same day as the wedding.
In his speech to the conference, he said: “It is the best day to being doing this conference because everybody, not just republicans, are thinking about the monarchy. This event is a chance to tell the media to think about the monarchy differently and see it as politics, not entertainment.”
Graham Smith head of @RepublicStaff‘we are not yet a nation of republicans but we are definitely not a nation of royalist either. Everything is to play for.’ pic.twitter.com/WdcBOe7uXE
British Transport Police tweeted to tell people to stagger their journeys home from Windsor but said queues for both stations in the area were long but moving.
The queues are long but moving at both Windsor stations following the #RoyalWedding
Please stagger your journey home if you can and there are buses running from Alexandra Gardens to Slough
We’re there if you need us! pic.twitter.com/Ui4ZHe9qTC
In Scotland, communities have been celebrating the royal wedding with events ranging from garden parties to afternoon teas.
Thousands watched the marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, with a screening taking place on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh.
The first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, led congratulations for the royal newlyweds, tweeting:
Many congratulations to the happy couple! #HarryandMeghanpic.twitter.com/h2rIM7Koqa
European republicans meeting in London are divided over whether Brexit will help or hinder the case for an elected head of state.
Viggo Smitt, chair of the Danish republican movement Republik nu, said the vote provides hope for a seemingly challenging campaign.
“There is no such thing as a transparent monarchy. Each week our monarch talks to our Prime Minster in the Netherlands. What are they talking about? I want to know.” - Hans Maessen from @geenmonarchie#AERM2018
Sir Elton John has performed at the lunchtime reception for guests celebrating the royal wedding, palace officials said.
Prince Harry asked Sir Elton to perform at the reception, which was hosted by the Queen at St George’s Hall, Windsor Castle.
Bishop Michael Curry’s address during the royal wedding prompted praise from some, while others highlighted the culture gap between Americans and Brits, with the latter having a reputation for a stiff upper lip.
Watching the Brits watch an American Preacher do his thing in Windsor is giving me life right now. It’s like watching Metallica do a concert in the Old Globe. #RoyalWedding
I love how the entire British royal family is visibly dying of embarrassment because somebody is shouting openly about love at a wedding.
BISHOP MICHAEL CURRY GIVING ME LIFE ♥️
There have reportedly been 3.4m tweets about the royal wedding already and only 1m of those were by the Mail’s royal correspondent (that’s not true).
Bishop Michael Curry’s sermon was the most tweeted moment with Meghan Markle the most mentioned individual, followed by the groom and then – winning the battle of the celebrities – was David Beckham. Victoria Beckham was fourth with Oprah Winfrey completing the top five and Diana, Princess of Wales, sixth.
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead estimated that just over 100,000 fans watched the procession along the route.
British Transport Police reported that 20,000 passengers had streamed through the town’s stations by 9.40am.
Ahem....@BBCNews.
We've got our own dancing copper over here at Windsor and Eton Central station ♂️
(Personally, I think ours trumps @ThamesVP attempt ) #RoyalWedding#Windsorpic.twitter.com/GqZJe6eC0k
Viggo Smitt, chair of the Danish republican movement Republik nu, has accused the British media of blurring entertainment and bad governance over the royal wedding.
Speaking at the Republic convention in London, he said:
I am an admirer of not only British journalism but also British entertainment, but I do hope the two will not be mixed up. While a lavish romantic [wedding] may be entertaining, soap-opera style, it is not a defence for a undemocratic medieval institution.
I’m told that the British public thinks that other monarchies are less stuffy than the Windsors. I’m really sorry to disappoint you – that is not the case. I have been working with the Norwegians, the Swedes and Spaniards and with you the British since 2010. The European monarchies are productions of the same soap opera with just different characters.
That’s good news for us republicans because it helps us debunk myths and bad arguments for monarchy.
Viggo Smitt, chair of Republik nu: ‘there is definitely something wrong in the state of Denmark. It is called monarchy’. pic.twitter.com/1s4836egx0
Monarchy still seems a mighty foe in our battle. But we do have one mighty ally – reason itself. Reason will prevail. The light of reason will dispose the darkest myths of monarchy. In my life, I have seen the Berlin Wall come down, the Iron Curtain fall and an African-American become president in America. So can we dismantle the European monarchies? I not only believe yes we can, but of course we can, and we will.
Martin Luther King Jr’s exhortation to “discover the power of love” was repeated by Bishop Michael Curry during his address at St George’s Chapel.
Bernice A King, daughter of the great civil rights leader, offered her five cents on the royal wedding on Twitter:
Dear Family: It’s okay to watch and be moved by the #RoyalWedding. It doesn’t make you insensitive or less caring about the inhumanity in the world. It doesn’t mean you’ve forgotten history. Find moments of joy. We need them to continue the work.
Below is what the 600 or so guests are tucking into at the reception, according to Kensington Palace.
Canapés, including:
The Duchess of Sussex’s father has paid tribute to his “beautiful” daughter on her wedding day, according to the celebrity website TMZ. Thomas Markle Sr was unable to attend the wedding of his daughter to Prince Harry following heart surgery on Wednesday that saw him have three stents fitted.
Speaking to TMZ from California, where he was recovering from the procedure, the 73-year-old said:
My baby looks beautiful and she looks very happy. I wish I were there and I wish them all my love and all happiness.
Here is the wedding cake that will be served to guests at the reception. I wonder who will be taking home an extra slice in a napkin?
The wedding cake is to be served at the Reception. It was designed by Claire Ptak and features elderflower syrup made at The Queen’s residence in Sandringham from the estate’s own elderflower trees, as well as a light sponge cake uniquely formulated for the couple. #royalweddingpic.twitter.com/kt5lE4tEn9
The broadcaster Anita Sethi told the Republic convention, taking place in London, how Prince Charles had questioned her nationality when she met him at the Commonwealth people’s forum earlier this year. She told the Prince she was from Manchester. “You don’t look it,” Charles said, Sethi recalled.
Referring to the Windrush scandal, she said:
I felt angry that there could be such casual ignorance in the corridors of power – an influence that permeates society not least because some British people who were invited here have been threatened with deportation. The fact that they don’t look like they are from here is a problem for some. A British person looks like me. I have a message for Prince Charles, I am here because you are there.
The head of the Commonwealth. It is not a hereditary position. This was pure nepotism. The Commonwealth is Empire 2.0 and it needs to go along with the monarchy.
Broadcaster Anita Sethi speaks of her anger at Prince Charles after he questioned her nationality @RepublicStaffpic.twitter.com/1R0hn35t82
The “public” element of the wedding has concluded. The couple will now proceed to the lunchtime in St George’s Hall at Windsor Castle. There will also be a smaller evening reception.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive back at Windsor Castle following their Carriage Procession around Windsor. #RoyalWeddingpic.twitter.com/FF41eUBo7g
The wedding kicked off at 7am local time in New York City, where more than 100 people, mostly Americans, crowded into the Churchill Tavern to watch the ceremony while sipping mimosas.
Many people were decked out in wedding appropriate outfits, including one man who wore a kilt, while others accessorised with plastic tiaras and blow-up crowns. There was also a woman in a sequinned, union jack jumpsuit and elaborate plastic crown.
Harry appeared to say “Thanks Pa” to Prince Charles after his father had walked Meghan up the aisle, and then “You look amazing!” to his bride.
However, there has been plenty of speculation on social media that he said something else to the newly anointed Duchess of Sussex.
Choosing to believe that he said, “I’m shitting it” here #RoyalWeddingpic.twitter.com/M2Ek5kPV24
More than 100 fervent republicans are defiantly shunning the royal wedding, and the sunshine, for the annual convention of the Alliance of European Republican Movements (see earlier). There is standing room only in Bridewell Hall, just off Fleet Street in London, in a venue that is usually used for weddings.
Standing room only at the republic convention in London. No Markle Sparkle here. pic.twitter.com/SaIZ4c5ICB
Sue Taylor, one of the delegates at the Republic convention, on royal wedding day. pic.twitter.com/9gVVEq0VCA
In keeping with the contemporary feel of the wedding the BBC plays a montage of guests leaving to Queen’s Crazy Little Thing Called Love.
On the lawns of the National Maritime Museum, beside Queen’s House in Greenwich, south-east London, Michelle Flynn, 37, and Sherene Ward, 35, watched the royal wedding on a big screen accompanied by a large group of friends and family.
When asked what they thought of the ceremony, Ward says: “It was breathtaking.”
Her friend Flynn adds:
It was a landmark moment. It’s like someone who is relatively normal has been accepted into an establishment that has been closed off for years.
That’s what I mean when I say she defies all odds. My understanding is to be accepted to the royal family you have to be whiter than white.
After Diana passed away, there had to be a lot more acceptance. Really, how could they shun Meghan away as well?
The rugby player James Haskell, who was one of the guests inside the chapel, told BBC News:
You could feel the electricity, the reverend was sensational ... It was probably the best wedding I’ve ever been to! It will go down in history.
The former Labour leader Ed Miliband, an atheist, is also a fan of the US bishop:
Rev Michael Curry could almost make me a believer
Amen to this:
A black reverend preaching to British royalty about the resilience of faith during slavery is 10000000% not what I thought I was waking up for, the royal wedding is good
The hairstylist to the stars Serge Normant was drafted in to do Meghan’s hair – a more polished take on her favourite messy bun. Her makeup was done by her “right-hand man”, the makeup artist Daniel Martin (he works for Dior, another French fashion house, just like Givenchy).
This was very nice.
Karen Gibson and @TheKingdomChoir sing "Stand by me" from the West End of the Chapel #RoyalWeddingpic.twitter.com/1T4i0SNOnV
Joss Stone was in the chapel but in thoroughly modern fashion has tweeted her congratulations to Harry and Meghan.
I wonder if any of the guests have already put pictures/videos on Facebook/Instagram etc? I suppose it’s probably not so much of an etiquette minefield when the ceremony is being broadcast live around the world anyway.
Congratulations to the Duke & Duchess of Sussex on their beautiful wedding day! All the best for the future x #RoyalWedding
The happy couple are being greeted by cheers and screams in Windsor.
The new Duke and Duchess of Sussex are now off on their 25-minute journey through the streets of Windsor in an Ascot landau carriage.
Afterwards they will return to the castle for the lunchtime reception.
I think the crowd are doing three cheers: “Hip hip hooray”. As an American, Markle may be unacquainted with this very English tradition.
As the sun beams down on the lawns of the National Maritime Museum, beside Queen’s House in Greenwich, south-east London, crowds gathered to celebrate the wedding of the year. They brought picnics and are waving Union Jack flags.
People have come from across the capital and beyond to watch Prince Harry and Meghan Markle get married. All eyes are on the big screen in the middle of the lawn.
We wanted to watch the wedding together and the kids are really excited. We want them to feel part of it. It’s a nice event and everyone has come together. It’s nice to celebrate British culture and royalty. I am a big fan of the young royals especially.
The national anthem’s been played and now Harry and Meghan are on their way out, smiling to guests. There are huge cheers as they emerge from St George’s Chapel into the sunshine. And they kiss for the expectant crowds.
More details about Meghan’s outfit: her bouquet was designed by the florist Philippa Craddock and features flowers that Harry handpicked on Friday from his private garden at Kensington Palace.
They were added to forget-me-nots (chosen because they were Diana, Princess of Wales’s favourite flower) as well as sweet peas, lily of the valley, astilbe, jasmine and astrantia, and sprigs of myrtle. The latter is a royal tradition in bridal bouquets.
The wedding register is being signed as the cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason plays for the guests. Below he is playing No Woman No Cry (probably won’t be playing it today).
Now the congregation are belting out a resounding version of Bread of Heaven, though it’s not quite as full-throated as when sung by Welsh rugby fans.
That’s no ordinary veil. Meghan “wanted all 53 countries of the Commonwealth with her on her journey through the ceremony” and so Waight Keller created a veil embroidered with the flora of each one. Each three-dimensional flower is unique and was embroidered on to the five-metre train by hand.
Here’s a fun fact from the palace:
The workers spent hundreds of hours meticulously sewing and washing their hands every 30 minutes to keep the tulle and threads pristine.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, proclaims them “husband and wife”.
Cheers can be heard from outside the chapel.
After a lovely rendition of Ben E King’s Stand By Me, Harry makes his vow to take Meghan to be his wife “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part”.
Then Markle repeats the same words and it’s time for the rings to be exchanged as “a sign of our marriage”.
You can find out more about Michael Curry here:
Related: Minister who told royal wedding "love is the way" is equal rights campaigner
I’m not sure some people knew what had hit them.
This is brilliant from Bishop Curry - some amazing facial expressions all around! "We're going to sit down, we gotta get y'all married!" Beatrice giggling, Zara open-mouthed in disbelief! #royalwedding
That was an incredibly powerful, emotive address by Curry, very different from those seen at traditional English weddings, let alone royal weddings. He concludes:
Dr King was right, we must discover love, the redemptive power of love. When we do that we will make of this old world a new world. My brother, my sister, I love you. God bless you. May God hold us all in those almighty hands of love.
Curry says that slaves in the US south explained the power of love even during their captivity, singing the following spiritual.
After a reading from Princess Diana’s sister, the address is by the Most Rev Michael Curry, the first black presiding bishop of the Episcopal church in the US.
He quotes Martin Luther King Jr:
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.
It’s the best-kept secret in the fashion industry – Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy has surprised everyone by being the designer of Meghan Markle’s dress.
After meeting earlier this year, Markle “chose to work with [Waight-Keller] for her timeless and elegant aesthetic, impeccable tailoring, and relaxed demeanour”, said Kensington Palace.
The vows now. “I will,” says Harry, which prompts laughter.
Markle, with veil down now and looking more nervous, reciprocates, beaming.
The first hymn is Lord of all Hopefulness. Harry sings along, difficult to tell whether Markle is doing so under her veil.
Harry is looking more nervous now. Can’t blame him, not only is he getting married but he’s got hundreds of millions of people watching him do so. Markle looks more relaxed.
The couple hold hands and exchange smiles once more as the Rt Rev David Conner, the dean of Windsor, conducts the service.
Markle is also wearing Queen Mary’s diamond bandeau tiara.
Markle walks up the aisle and exchanges smiles and a few words with Harry. Both looking very relaxed now.
Ms. Meghan Markle’s wedding dress has been designed by the
acclaimed British designer, Clare Waight Keller. Ms. Waight Keller last year
became the first female Artistic Director at the historic French fashion house Givenchy.
The dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller for the French fashion house Givenchy.
Here is Markle wearing a very traditional (to my untrained eye) looking dress.
The bridesmaids, one of them just two-years-old, and flower girls have arrived. Markle’s car is approaching.
The Queen has arrived in a flared silk dress in lime, lemon, purple and grey by the designer Stewart Parvin and a matching Angela Kelly hat. She wins the brightest outfit of the day.
The mother of bride is in the chapel as are Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.
I’m not sure who looks more nervous, the groom or the best man?
As Alex Ferguson famously said, it’s squeaky bum time.
What's he thinking right now?
The #RoyalWedding is just minutes away - watch live on @ITV and https://t.co/X1He4LBgDJ
Get the details on what to expect in the ceremony: https://t.co/QsV19UBoiopic.twitter.com/iwEXzNR3lK
If Markle is late, the benefit of halting all air traffic over Windsor for 15 minutes (see earlier post) from 11.45am to coincide with her arrival will be lost
The bride’s car has just passed crowds of cheering people lining the streets of Windsor. It is travelling at quite a pace now – wouldn’t want to be late.
Crowds roar on The Long Walk in Windsor as Meghan Markle arrives at St George's Chapel
Watch the wedding live on @ITV and https://t.co/X1He4LBgDJ#RoyalWedding
Get all the details on what to expect in the wedding ceremony: https://t.co/QsV19UBoiopic.twitter.com/sbjOEJS7rw
Jill Palmeter, from Novia Scotia, and Susan Thompson, from California, made friends last night while camping outside the castle grounds.
When Thompson found out the wedding was to be in May in Windsor, she booked a hotel room for every weekend through the month and then cancelled the others when the exact date was announced.
She said:
I got a great deal on the hotel room because they honoured the booking. Like Jill, I’m really into the royals and I watched William and Kate’s wedding back in California, but this time I decided I would really love to be there.
I’m so excited that the bride is American. The other reason is because I think when Diana died, it was a moment that defined a generation. Everyone remembers where they were when she died and a lot of people feel we should support William and Harry as they don’t have their mother anymore.
Princesses Eugenie arrived a little earlier in what looks quite like a stewardess outfit, quite an interesting choice (a bit like Britney in her Toxic video); Princess Beatrice, meanwhile, is in an organza dress by one of our fave designers Roksanda (much better).
Here are Prince Harry and Prince William arriving.
Princes Harry and William were chatting as they walked past the cheering crowds.
They are both wearing the frockcoat uniform of the Blues and Royals after the Queen gave Harry permission to get married in his uniform.
Back at Windsor, the groom and his best man have arrived.
Away from the celebrity guests and the hoards thronging the streets of Windsor a much more modest crowd is due to assemble in central London to plot the overthrow of the crown heads of Europe.
The annual convention of the Alliance of European Republican Movements is holding its annual convention to coincide with royal wedding.
“We should be free to have a public debate on the future of the monarchy, without receiving death threats. So I’m calling on the silent republicans to be bold and speak out. I want to discuss the constitution, parliamentary sovereignty, royal prerogatives, the power of veto, backdoor lobbying, preferential tax arrangements and the cost to the taxpayer. I am asking for a debate, not a revolution.”
From our @YouGov poll: Should the monarchy come to an end after the Queen's reign only a third would be 'very disappointed' while as many as 24% wouldn't mind. #RoyalWeddinghttps://t.co/F7pNET3rkJ
Markle waved as she sat with her mother in the rear of a vintage Rolls-Royce limousine, loaned for the day by the Queen.
Here comes the bride! Meghan Markle is on her way to the #RoyalWeddingpic.twitter.com/Q6IrlSNgfF
Info on Meghan’s walk down the aisle. She will take 110 steps on her own until she reaches the chapel’s organ screen where Charles will join her for the final 37 steps. HT @AngelaBishop#royalwedding
Here’s what we know about what Meghan Markle’s wearing so far – it’s white, it has a veil, a high neckline, her shoulders are covered, her hair is up ... designer still TBC.
Meghan Markle was wearing a long veil but as she was in the car it was difficult to make out much more.
Word in the press room is that Meghan is apparently running 15 minutes late. Keeping Harry on his toes? #royalwedding
The bride-to-be is on her way!
Fergie looks like an absolute boss. The collar is quite Angelina-in-Maleficent, which is one of my all-time favourite vibes. The wedding guest theme is brightness turned up to full. Bright colours (Amal) or chic blush tones (Oprah, Serena) or bold prints (Cressida Bonas). No one is in a sweet spriggy floral. It is a great day for Eponine, the small label by the British designer Jet Shenkman. Bonas is wearing one of their dresses, and I definitely saw this dress on an early arrival.
The actor Priyanka Chopra has arrived in a lilac skirt suit bearing the sartorial signatures of Vivienne Westwood, which she wears a lot (punk is present if so!).
The pastel theme is a recurring one. Oprah Winfrey opted for a pale pink Stella McCartney dress with scalloped lace; Serena Williams has arrived in a delicate salmon-pink (Versace, Versace, Versace); Julia Corden (wife of James) is in baby pink; even Norma Major got the memo – she’s wearing head-to-toe sherbet lemon.
James Corden has been spotted, as has the Duchess of York and Bollywood royalty Priyanka Chopra (insert observation about how the guest list reflects a more modern and diverse royal family).
The ITV hosts are speculating that Elton John might be performing later. Maybe it will be a supergroup with James Blunt and Victoria Beckham, the latter with auto-tune vocals?
A mash-up could be on the cards of Your Song, You’re Beautiful and um, You’re Out of Your Mind (that last one was Victoria Beckham and Dane Bowers for those not up to date with the hit parade).
Elton John and David Furnish chat with David and Victoria Beckham inside St George's Chapel, with the #RoyalWedding just over an hour away.
Read more about the celebrities attending and what to expect during the ceremony: https://t.co/QsV19UBoiopic.twitter.com/WQyytr7n2V
The musician Joss Stone has also joined the rest of the guests.
Serena Williams, after a series of teasing posts on social media about going to “my friend’s wedding” has arrived.
Ready for my friend’s wedding. #beingserena@alexisohanianpic.twitter.com/PSIYvpXlaV
The guest arrivals are updating the wedding dress runners-and-riders. Amal Clooney wearing Stella McCartney *probably* means Stella is out of the running for the wedding dress.
I don’t think Stella would design such an eye-catching dress for one of the most famous guests if she was doing the wedding dress, but I could be wrong ...
Thomas and Alan Defois arrived on Friday from Paris. They slept on the street to secure places at the front of the barrier near the castle’s Henry VIII gate.
Alan, who is a civil servant, admits he is the reason they have come over for the wedding.
About 15 years ago, I got a magazine all about the royals and have been a big fan since then. Harry is my favourite because he is the future of the monarchy.
We have got a really good spot, which is good as Alan is such a huge fan. There was a really good atmosphere here last night. Everyone is so friendly. There are people here from Italy, Belgium and Switzerland. It’s been great.
Elton John and David Furnish have arrived.
Musician Marcus Mumford and actress Carey Mulligan are also there.
Designer Roland Mouret is there! He just kissed Victoria Beckham. Does that mean he has or hasn’t designed the wedding dress? The guests are high-octane glamour. A lot of “fashion content” as we say in the business.
George and Amal Clooney appear to be lit from within, Amal Clooney looks like a sunbeam. Her dress is Stella McCartney.
Here is a quick recap of some of the celebrities who have arrived so far:
Idris Elba
The actor Tom Hardy has arrived, as has Prince Harry’s ex Chelsy Davy. I wonder whether the Duke of Cambridge will mention her in his best man’s speech.
This was the moment the Clooneys strolled in:
STUNNING! Amal in beautiful yellow arriving with husband George Clooney at the #RoyalWedding: https://t.co/oyLYEha5KRpic.twitter.com/vtVoZ9x5ur
The Beckhams and Clooneys have just arrived. I think this is what they mean when they say star-studded.
The Earl of Spencer, Prince Harry’s uncle has arrived.
Earl and Countess Spencer, dressed in plum, arrive at St George’s Chapel ahead of the #RoyalWeddinghttps://t.co/85kSVooaQfpic.twitter.com/18Xa5VcYqY
More guests are arriving …
The first guests are here. This is looking to be a very high-fashion wedding. A traditional British wedding tends toward a low-key, cream-tea aesthetic but Idris Elba looks like he is dressed for the Oscars red carpet in his dark suit and narrow tie. Oprah Winfrey is wearing millennial pink, with a vogue-ish tiered hemline and an extremely bold hat.
While Oprah Winfrey’s attendance has come as something of a surprise, she has been in the country since Thursday at least when she had dinner at the Delaunay before going to see Tina the musical.
Cascading hedgerows of forget-me-nots, foxgloves, peonies and lily of the valley coverthe chapel’s doorways as well as the archway under the organ, where Prince Charles will be waiting to lead Markle down the last part of the aisle.
All the flowers bloom naturally in May and the displays were created by the floral designer Philippa Craddock to be relaxed, free-flowing and ethereal. Nearly 30 people worked on the arrangements from Wednesday night. The Royal Parks contributed more than 150 pot plants from their super nursery in Hyde Park to the displays.
The final designs will represent them as a couple, which I always aim to achieve in my work, with local sourcing, seasonality and sustainability being at the forefront.
The cascading hedgerow outside the chapel #royalweddingpic.twitter.com/EjAbsjtY71
Here is a look back at six previous royal weddings to whet your appetite. Apart from Prince William and Catherine Middleton’s in 2011 they were all before the age of the Guardian live blog, so I have no idea how people coped.
Details of the wedding rings have just been announced. They have been made by Cleave and Company.
A statement from the palace says:
Ms Markle’s ring has been fashioned from a piece of Welsh gold, gifted by Her Majesty The Queen.
Prince Harry’s ring will be a platinum band with a textured finish.
Is tennis legend Serena Williams on her way too?
Follow my IG stories today to see me getting ready for my friends wedding #beingserena #freshface
The guests are beginning to arrive. Stringer Bell, aka Luther, aka Idris Elba, has just arrived with his fiancee Sabrina Dhowre, with Oprah Winfrey close behind.
HAPPENING NOW: @Oprah Winfrey and Idris Elba are among the guests arriving at the #RoyalWedding right now https://t.co/OvLScRZ1pspic.twitter.com/h1Ph09GgQH
There has been much talk about Markle’s ethnicity since the couple began dating. Markle, whose mother is African American and father is white, described some of the media coverage as “disheartening” and “discriminatory” because it centred on her racial background.
The prince took the rare step last year of attacking the British press for introducing “racial overtones” to the reporting of their relationship.
It’s just really amazing for the country to have someone like her joining the royal family.
Meghan is a white-passing mixed race woman who has light skin and very European features and very straight hair.
So, if that’s the closest they are coming day to day with a person of colour, then that’s not me, that’s not people like me.
For those who like to have their day planned out with no surprises, here are some precise timings of how events are expected to unfold:
A few timings for you all on #royalwedding day! We expect our first glimpse of bride #meghanmarkle at 11am. She will drive with mother Doria from their hotel to the Windsor Castle quadrangle, arriving around 11.25am.....
11.25 the Royal Family arrive at the Galilee Porch.
11.42 Doria Ragland arrives at the Royal entrance to the chapel.
11.40 Harry and William will arrive at the West Door, followed by Prince Charles
11.52 The Queen arrives
11.59 Meghan steps out of her car (unless she is late!)
My colleague Hadley Freeman has experienced a technical difficulty.
I’ve just been chucked out of Windsor Castle for “having the wrong wristband.” Watch out, Meghan: it’s not even 9am and they’re already throwing out the Americans.
The crowds are flocking in already.
This is a nice story. Prince Harry has invited an orphan from Lesotho he befriended during his gap year 14 years ago to be outside St George’s Chapel during the wedding, the Express reports.
Mutsu Potsane, now 18, will be among a group of 10 representatives from the Duke of Sussex’s charity Sentebale who will be among the first group to greet the newlyweds, it says.
Helen of Troy may have been the face that launched a thousand ships but Meghan Markle is the woman who has halted flights over Windsor.
Officials at Heathrow airport have agreed to stop planes from flying overhead for 15 minutes, the Huffington Post reports.
As the 2,640 members of the public who were invited into the grounds of Windsor Castle for the big day stream in, they are being handed gift bags with branded treats.
Eyebrows were raised when the “commoners” were told to bring their own picnics.While not a packed lunch, the gift bags, which include shortbread, a giant chocolate coin and a bottle of water, will perhaps help stave off hunger for anyone who has forgotten their sarnie.
You may think you have shown commitment by eschewing your Saturday morning lie-in especially to follow the Guardian’s royal wedding live blog but your endeavours pale in comparison to these people.
The Queen has announced the titles given to the married couple.
Prince Harry, or to give him his formal title, Prince Henry of Wales, has been made Duke of Sussex, Earl of Dumbarton and Baron Kilkeel.
The order of service was published this morning.
As is common these days, Markle will not promise to “obey” Harry. Given she was formerly a United Nations women’s advocate it is no great surprise, and it follows the same decision made by the Duchess of Cambridge when she married Prince William and Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, when she married the Prince of Wales.
Related: From the songs to the vows: the royal wedding order of service in full
Of course the stars of the show are the bride and groom but there is a considerable supporting cast.
Most of the media attention this week has centred on whether Markle’s father, Thomas Markle Sr, would attend the wedding. After it was confirmed that he would be unable to because of heart surgery, attention moved to who would walk her down the aisle.
Roll out the bunting, the big day is finally here! Prince Harry, sixth in line to the British throne, and Meghan Markle, actor and activist, will tie the knot today.
Unless you are one of the 600 or so guests who will be admitted into the service in St George’s chapel, the Guardian’s live blog is the best seat in the house (and even if you are inside the chapel, feel free to follow the live blog but pleaseput your phone on silent).
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