Weddings are always fraught, even
if they are not one’s own, and especially when they are as public and imbued
with metaphor and meaning as this one.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle married on May 19, 2018. The couple’s decision to
wed on a Saturday went against tradition, as royal weddings usually take place
on a weekday. On the
morning of the wedding it was announced that the Queen has conferred a Dukedom
on Prince Henry of Wales. His titles will be Duke of Sussex, Earl of Dumbarton
and Baron Kilkeel. Prince Harry is thus His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex,
and Markle has become Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex.
The
marriage of Prince Harry and Markle took place in St George's Chapel at Windsor
Castle at 12pm. The royal wedding was an extraordinary mix of tradition and
modernity, of centuries of history and up-to-the moment flourishes.
They
became the 16th royal couple to celebrate their marriage at Windsor Castle
since 1863. The Queen granted permission for the ceremony to be held in the
place of worship, which seats approximately 800, and core aspects of the
wedding, including the service, music, flowers, decorations and reception, were
paid for by the royal family. One week prior to the ceremony, the Queen signed
the Instrument of Consent - the official document granting her grandson
permission to marry his fiancé.
The
entire royal family was here, along with a complement of English aristocrats
and important personages. Music for the service included a number of well-known
hymns and choral works under the direction of James Vivian, director of music
at St George’s Chapel which turned out be stately and beautiful. The setting
was awe-inspiring. The
cake - a lemon elderflower bake that incorporated the bright flavours of spring
- was made by Violet Bakery's Claire Ptak, and the flowers - branches of beech,
birch and hornbeam, and white garden roses, peonies and foxgloves from the
gardens and parkland of the Crown Estate and Windsor Park - were arranged by
Philippa Craddock.
There
was a flotilla of clergymen, an extraordinary mélange including the archbishop
of Canterbury and — in a striking inclusion in this most ancient of places —
the head of the Episcopal Church, the Most Rev. Michael Curry.
Markle’s
ring was fashioned from a piece of Welsh Gold, gifted by the Queen, while
Prince Harry's was created from platinum with a textured finish. Both rings
were crafted in the Cleave workshop, and were carried to the chapel by the Duke
of Cambridge, in his capacity as best man.
After
the couple were married, they undertook a carriage procession from St George's
Chapel through Windsor town returning to Windsor Castle along the Long Walk.
Alexi Lubomirski then took the official photographs at Windsor Castle.
Sir
Elton John performed at the lunchtime reception for the newlyweds, The Duke and
Duchess of Sussex. Prince Harry asked Sir Elton to perform at the reception
which was hosted by Her Majesty The Queen.
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