On 19 May 2018, Rachel Meghan Markle married Prince Harry of Wales, and they subsequently became The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Their engagement was announced on 27 November 2017, with Clarence House writing, “The Prince of Wales is delighted to announce the engagement of Prince Harry to Ms. Meghan Markle.”1 Her engagement ring consists of a central diamond from Botswana and two smaller diamonds from the collection of Diana, Princess of Wales. The gold band was later replaced with a slim band of pavé diamonds.2
On 14 March 2018, Queen Elizabeth II officially consented to the marriage as required by the Succession to the Crown Act 2013.3 Although it was not required, Meghan was baptised and confirmed into the Church of England by the Archbishop of Canterbury in early 2018. The wedding was set to take place at St George’s Chapel.
Meghan wore a dress designed by Clare Waight Keller, artistic director of Givenchy. It was made of silk and had three-quarters-length sleeves. It had an open boat neckline and a train.
Her long veil was embroidered with flowers from the Commonwealth and the California poppy from her home state. It also included wintersweet, which grows at Kensington Palace. A piece of blue fabric from the dress she wore during their first date was also sown into the veil. Her wedding tiara was a diamond bandeau, which had been made for Queen Mary in 1932.
The bouquet was designed by Philippa Craddock and contained forget-me-nots that had been chosen in honour of Harry’s late mother and myrtle grown from the myrtle used in Queen Elizabeth II’s wedding bouquet. After the wedding, it was placed on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey.
Harry and his brother William, also his best man, wore the frock coat uniform of the Blue and Royals.
Meghan met her future father-in-law halfway up the aisle, and he escorted her to the altar. The service was conducted by the Dean of Windsor with the Archbishop of Canterbury. A sermon was delivered by Michael Curry, presiding bishop and primate of The Episcopal Church.
The wedding rings were made by Cleave and Company, with Meghan’s being of Welsh gold and Harry’s of platinum. Contrary to popular belief, the couple did bow and curtsey to Queen Elizabeth II on the way out of St George’s Chapel.
After the ceremony, the couple went on a carriage procession through Windsor. There was an afternoon reception at St George’s Hall for those who attended the ceremony and an evening reception for friends and family. The wedding cake was designed by Claire Ptak and was a layered lemon and elderflower cake.
Meghan did not become a British citizen upon marriage and, as the family now lives in the United States, is unlikely to become one.
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