The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Saturday followed British royal tradition. Read on for the highlights of the day.
 

Harry, Meghan begin carriage procession

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leave church after marriage ceremony. They begin a carriage procession around Windsor. 

The royal newlyweds are taking a short trip through Windsor in a horse-drawn carriage, to the delight of thousands of well-wishers.

Prince Harry and Meghan in the Ascot Landau carriage during the procession after getting married Prince Harry and Meghan in the Ascot Landau carriage during the procession after getting married. Reuters

The crowd roared as Harry and Meghan emerged from St. George's Chapel and kissed at the top of the steps.

The couple, now the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, will travel through Windsor in the Ascot Landau carriage before looping back to Windsor Castle for their reception.

Tens of thousands of people have come to Windsor in hopes of catching a glimpse of the couple.

Harry, Meghan declared husband and wife

Archbishop of Canterbury declares Prince Harry and Meghan Markle husband and wife.

Justin Welby, the head of the Church of England, has made the proclamation after the couple promised to love and cherish one another "till death us do part," and exchanged rings.

WATCH: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle exchange wedding vows. (Via The Royal Family on Facebook)

The British-American pair are now officially known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and the duchess will take her place among senior members of the royal family.

After exchanging vows to love and to cherish "till death us do part", Harry, 33, sixth-in-line to the British throne, placed a ring of Welsh gold on Markle's finger.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stand facing each other hand-in-hand before Archbishop of Canterbury Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stand facing each other hand-in-hand before Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby during their wedding ceremony in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. AFP

"In the presence of God, and before this congregation, Harry and Meghan have given their consent and made their marriage vows to each other," Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby intoned.

"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." The marriage brings Markle, three years older than Harry and born and raised in Los Angeles, into one of the world's grandest royal families, known as "the Firm".

ALSO READ:
• Wedding schedule
• Where to watch royal wedding in UAE
• How life will change for Meghan Markle
• Queen confers dukedom on Harry
• Harry, Meghan will be Duke and Duchess of Sussex

Wedding ceremony begins

Meghan Markle says she takes Prince Harry to be her husband.

Prince Harry says he takes Meghan Markle to be his wife.

US bishop gives rousing sermon at royal wedding

The leader of the Episcopal Church has quoted civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. on the "redemptive power of love" as he blessed the marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Most Rev. Michael Bruce Curry, who was hand-picked by the couple to deliver a sermon at their wedding, told the bride and groom Saturday that there was "power in love" and that "love can help and heal when nothing else can." 

But Curry, a champion of civil rights causes and outspoken supporter of gay rights, continued "it's not just for and about a young couple, who we rejoice with, it's more than that."

Invoking the days of slavery in the United States, he said love helped those in captivity persevere. 
He told the couple love has "the power to change the world."

Curry says "when love is the way, we actually treat each other, well, like we are actual family."

Harry says to Meghan: 'You look amazing'

Dean of Windsor David Conner welcomes the congregation at the start of the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle for their wedding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle for their wedding. Reuters

The couple are standing at the altar in St. George's Chapel. They smiled at each other as a soprano sang a work by Handel.

As they stood at the altar, Harry said to Meghan: "You look amazing."

WATCH: Here comes the bride... Prince Charles walks Meghan Markle down the aisle

Markle arrives at St. George's Chapel

Meghan Markle arrived at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle to cheering crowds for her marriage to Prince Harry on Saturday, wearing a dress designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy.

The long-sleeved dress with a boat neck had been eagerly anticipated by royal fans around the world for months.

Markle walked up the aisle initially on her own in her flowing white dress and was accompanied part of the way by Harry's father Prince Charles. 

Harry, looking nervous, appeared to say: "Thanks, Pa" to Charles and "You look amazing!" to his bride. Markle's mother, Doria Ragland, 61, shed tears. A gospel choir sang American soul singer Ben E. King's 1960s hit "Stand by me".

White roses, favourite flowers of Harry's late mother Princess Diana, adorned the chapel. 

Prince Harry arrives at St. George’s Chapel

Prince Harry arrives at St. George’s Chapel with Prince William, his brother and best man, ahead of the younger prince’s wedding to Meghan Markle.

 

 

Meghan Markle on the way to the chapel

The first glimpse of bride Meghan Markle as she leaves Cliveden House Hotel for Windsor Castle royalwedding


Royal guests pour into Windsor Castle

Thousands of well-plumed guests and enthusiastic royal fans streamed into Windsor to capture their piece of the extravaganza that is the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Oprah Winfrey, Idris Elba, Elton John, George and Amal Clooney and David and Victoria Beckham, tennis star Serene Williams Serena and Indian actress Priyanka Chopra were among the first guests to arrive at Windsor Castle. They are among 600 celebrities, royalty, athletes and family friends invited to the gothic St. George's Chapel, where the wedding will start at noon (1100GMT).

British singer James Blunt, Prince Harry's sister-in-law Pippa Middleton and his uncle Charles Spencer were also spotted arriving.

WATCH: A quick look at Prince Harry as a boy, with his mother, Princess Diana.


Wedding ring of Welsh gold for Meghan Markle, platinum ring for Prince Harry

Meghan Markle will wear a wedding ring made from Welsh gold gifted by Queen Elizabeth when she marries her grandson Prince Harry on Saturday, his office said.

The prince's ring will be a platinum band with a textured finish, Kensington Palace said. Both were made by London jewellers Cleave and Company who also made Markle's engagement ring.

 

 

WATCH: The cutting of the cake is the first task that bride and groom perform together as husband and wife, so there’s a lot of pressure for this sweet creation to look its finest. We take a look at royal wedding cakes through history that are remembered for their magnificent design and taste.


Oprah Winfrey arrives at Windsor Castle

WATCH: All the celebrities at the royal wedding


Oprah Winfrey, Idris Elba and James Blunt were among the first guests to arrive at Windsor Castle.

The talk-show titan and the London-born Hollywood star are among celebrities, royalty, athletes and family friends among the 600-strong congregation invited to the gothic St. George's Chapel, where the wedding will start at noon (1100GMT).

WATCH: Take a look at some of the preparations ahead of the royal wedding ceremony.

 

Public guests, celebs start arriving

The members of the public and celebrities selected for prime viewing spots for the royal wedding have started arriving.

Alan Scott was one of the first arrivals among the roughly 2,600 people invited to watch the procession from the grounds of Windsor Castle. He was invited because of his 45 years of service to scouting, an activity that enjoys much royal family support.

"It's a great honour," he said of the unexpected invite. "The atmosphere is great. The royals are great supporters of everything and the young element is really coming through. I think they're going to take things forward."

WATCH: Meghan Markle’s friends are bringing up the celebrity factor at the royal wedding. Indian actress Priyanka Chopra and colleagues from Meghan Markle’s hit TV show ‘Suits’ are sharing moments on Instagram from their time in the UK.

Queen confers dukedom on Harry

Queen Elizabeth II has conferred a dukedom on Prince Harry - making him the Duke of Sussex, Earl of Dumbarton and Baron Kilkeel.

The new title will mean that when Harry marries American actress Meghan Markle later Saturday in Windsor, she will become the Duchess of Sussex.

The secondary titles are for use in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

WATCH: The royal family has granted the public a sneak peek of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding cake, through their social media accounts. A team of seven bakers is working on creating the ethereal lemon and elderflower three-part layered cake. Take a look!

Star power

All of Meghan Markle's famous friends have gathered for the royal wedding, including Priyanka Chopra, Patrick Adams and the cast of Suits.

Royal fans swarm trains

Royal watchers have swarmed the first trains from London to Windsor as they headed for the wedding of Prince Harry and American actress Meghan Markle.

At the station in Slough, the changing point for travelers from London, revelers found sign boards reading "All aboard the royal wedding special to Harry & Meghan Central."

Many of those on the standing room only trains were Americans, including Christine Clancy from Virginia.

Royal fans gather outside Windsor Castle

Harry, Meghan will be Duke and Duchess of Sussex

Prince Harry and his bride Meghan Markle will be known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex after their wedding on Saturday, Buckingham Palace announced just hours before the ceremony.

"The Queen has today been pleased to confer a dukedom on Prince Henry of Wales. His titles will be Duke of Sussex, Earl of Dumbarton and Baron Kilkeel," it said in a statement.

"Prince Harry thus becomes His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex, and Ms. Meghan Markle on marriage will become Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex."

WATCH: The royal family is incorporating pollinator-friendly plants as part of the displays in and around St George’s Chapel for the #RoyalWedding. Watch conservation expert Dr. Alice Laughton and @TheRoyalParks Gardener Mike Jones speak about the plants being grown for the displays.(Video courtesy @kensingtonroyal via instagram)


Fans camp out on streets

Security was tight in Windsor ahead of the event, with police officers examining street lights, rubbish bins and manholes and using sniffer dogs to hunt for explosives. The town has been inundated with tourist. Dozens of royal fans - many decked out in Union Jack paraphernalia - camped overnight for a front-row view.

Fans hold a spot at the front of barriers for the carriage procession outside Windsor Castle

As dawn broke over Queen Elizabeth's Windsor Castle where the couple will marry, excited crowds began to assemble outside its ancient stone walls, home to 39 English monarchs since 1066.

More than 100,000 fans are expected to cram the narrow streets of Windsor, about 20 miles west of London.

Well-wishers with Union Flags stand at the barriers on the Long Walk leading to Windsor Castle

Prince Harry's journey

It all started with a blind date that went really, really well. It was in July 2016, not even two years ago. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were set up by a mutual friend, a woman who thought they might click. Less than two years later, they will marry: two people who found each other after years of searching. 

Take a look at Prince Harry's journey, from troubled teen to the world's most eligible bachelor.

Royal wedding: How it will unfold

The hour-long ceremony begins at 1100 GMT (3pm, UAE time). The bride will arrive at the church with her mother, Doria Ragland, 61, with whom she was spent Friday night at a luxury hotel. Harry was staying at another hotel with elder brother and best man Prince William, whose daughter Charlotte and son George will be among the bridesmaids and page boys.

Markle will enter the chapel unescorted. Then Harry's father and heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles will walk his future daughter-in-law down the aisle.

Prince Philip, 96, will be among the senior royals in the 600-strong congregation. It will also include a smattering of celebrities, including fellow cast members of Markle from Suits.

The service will be 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, Most Reverend Michael Bruce Curry, will give the wedding address.

WATCH: History of royal wedding dresses

In a sign of modernity for the royals, Harry will wear a ring while Markle will vow not to obey her husband. Interspersed with traditional hymns, a choir will perform American soul singer Ben E. King's 1960's hit Stand by Me.

After the ceremony, the newlyweds are expected to greet some of the 1,200 members of the public specially invited into the grounds of the castle before setting off on a carriage procession through Windsor.

A reception will be held in the castle's St George's Hall before 200 guests join the couple at an evening event at Frogmore House, another grand mansion in the grounds.

The prince and his new wife, who are expected to be given a new title by the queen to mark their marriage, are not immediately leaving on honeymoon and will carry out their first official engagement as husband and wife next week.

WATCH: Before Prince Harry and Meghan Markle set off in a Carriage Procession following their wedding, you can take a tour of the same route! (Video courtesy @theroyalfamily via instagram)


Carriage procession

The wedding service will be followed by a carriage procession, a lunchtime reception and an evening party. Watch the ceremony live here

First guest

Prince Charles to walk Markle down the aisle

Markle has asked Britain's heir to the throne, Prince Charles, to walk her down the aisle on Saturday at her wedding to his son Prince Harry after her own father had to pull out because of ill health.

"The Prince of Wales is pleased to be able to welcome Ms Markle to The Royal Family in this way," Kensington Palace said in a statement.

Click image to enlarge

 

Details of the day's programme

9am (12pm, UAE time): Some 2,640 people including charity workers, community leaders and military veterans begin to enter the grounds of Windsor Castle where they will be able to see the royals before and after the ceremony. The onlookers will include 200 people from charities and organisations associated with the couple, 100 pupils from local schools and 530 royal staff.

9:30 am (0830 GMT): The first of around 600 wedding guests begin to fill St. George's Chapel. They arrive by coach at the castle's Round Tower and walk to the chapel's South Door. Music begins from 10:35 am inside the chapel.

11am (1000 GMT): The last non-royal guests take their places.

Royal wedding arrangements: Click here for infographics

11:25am (1025 GMT): Members of the royal family begin to arrive on foot and by car. They enter the chapel via the Galilee Porch on the south side.

11:40am (1040 GMT): Prince Harry and his best man, his brother Prince William, arrive at the West Door and are received by the Dean of Windsor, David Conner, who will conduct the service.

11:45am (1045 GMT): Meghan's mother Doria Ragland arrives at the Galilee Porch and is taken to her seat by the Dean of Windsor. She is spending the night before with her daughter at a hotel and they will drive together to the castle, before she gets out and goes into the chapel and Meghan joins her bridesmaids and page boys.

11:52 am (1052 GMT): Queen Elizabeth II arrives at the Galilee Porch and is escorted to her seat. A fanfare will sound, the choir and clergy will process through the church. All will sit.

12pm (3pm, UAE time): The wedding service begins. Meghan enters via the West Door, to the sound of fanfare. She will walk down the aisle on her own at the start, before being joined by Prince Charles.

The Dean of Windsor will conduct the service, which will include two hymns and a performance by the choir of soul classic Stand by Me. Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, will officiate as the couple make their wedding vows.

All three siblings of Harry's late mother Diana, princess of Wales, will be in attendance. Diana's sister Lady Jane Fellowes will give the reading from the Song of Solomon.

1pm (1200 GMT): The newlyweds come out from the West Steps and greet the charity representatives.

Close family members wave them off from the steps as they go on a 25-minute carriage procession through Windsor. The route takes them down the High Street and along the Long Walk tree-lined avenue back up to Windsor Castle.

The will travel in the horse-drawn Ascot Landau carriage, accompanied by a travelling escort of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment. The carriage will be pulled by four Windsor Grey horses.

1:30 pm (1230 GMT): Reception given by Queen Elizabeth II is held at Windsor Castle's St. George's Hall for the couple and the 600 wedding guests. Afterwards, the couple and the royal family will pose for the official pictures taken by portrait photographer Alexi Lubomirski.

Evening: Harry's father Prince Charles hosts a private reception for 200 close friends and family at Frogmore House.

Check out how everyone has prepared for the royal wedding

 

Where to watch royal wedding in UAE

Restaurants from Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah have prepared a feast for fans. If your invitation is still in the post, here’s where you can catch all the action in the UAE.

Harry, Meghan Markle to get spring-themed cake

Lemon, elderflower, fresh flower decorations: The cake for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s May wedding will be appropriately spring-themed.

Kensington Palace said the royal wedding cake will be a lemon elderflower concoction incorporating “the bright flavours of spring.” It’ll be covered with buttercream, and adorned with fresh flowers. Read more

Markle's wedding dress

For the fashion world, when American actress Meghan Markle joins the British royal family when she marries Prince Harry, there is only one issue that matters — who will design her wedding gown?

British newspapers have been rife with rumours that she has chosen the dress and already attended her first fitting, although royal officials are keeping such details a tightly guarded secret. Read more

Who is Meghan Markle?

Meghan Markle’s teacher remembers her as “one of the top-five outstanding students in my career”.

In the book Meghan: A Hollywood Princess, author Andrew Morton’s account of the future princess tells the story of a spirited heroine who overcomes life’s obstacles and conquers the world.

We learn that Markle loves the Amalfi Coast, meditation and dressing her dogs in jumpers. She “never leaves home” unless she has green juice and chia seed pudding in the fridge, which makes one worry how long she’s going out for and whether they’ll go off.  Read more

How life will change for Markle

When US actress Meghan Markle marries Britain’s Prince Harry at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle today, her career and right to privacy will be just two of the things she will have to give up.

The daughter of a yoga teacher and an award-winning Hollywood lighting director, Californian Markle is about to plunge headfirst into the world of rules and constraints of Britain’s royal family.

Markle will give up her acting career in order to live out her fairy tale. However, she will not become “Princess Meghan” because only women born into the royal family can carry the title followed by their name. Read more

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Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle ride a horse-drawn carriage, after their wedding ceremony Image Credit: REUTERS
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leave after their wedding ceremony at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Image Credit: AP
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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry leave after their wedding at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle Image Credit: AP
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the High Altar during their wedding ceremony in St George's Chapel Image Credit: AFP
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Prince Harry places the wedding ring on the finger of Meghan Markle during their wedding ceremony Image Credit: AFP
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Prince Harry removes the veil of Meghan Markle as they stand at the altar together in St George's Chapel Image Credit: AFP
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Prince Harry sits with Meghan Markle during the reading in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle Image Credit: AFP
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Prince William speaks with his wife Catherine during the wedding ceremony at St George's Chapel, Windsor Image Credit: AFP
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrive at the High Altar for their wedding ceremony in St George's Chapel Image Credit: AFP
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Meghan Markle walks down the aisle in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle Image Credit: AFP
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Prince Harry looks at his bride, Meghan Markle, at the St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle Image Credit: REUTERS
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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at the St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle during their wedding ceremony Image Credit: Facebook
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Meghan Markle leaves Cliveden House Hotel, accompanied by her mother, for the wedding ceremony Image Credit: AFP
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People cheer as the car with Meghan Markle arrives for the wedding ceremony at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Image Credit: AP
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Prince Harry walks with his brother Prince William at the St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. Image Credit: Reuters
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Prince Harry (L) arrives with Prince William at the West Door of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. Image Credit: AFP
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Abigail Spencer and Priyanka Chopra arrive for the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Image Credit: AP
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George Clooney and his wife Amal Clooneyarrive for the wedding ceremony at St George's Chapel, Windsor. Image Credit: AFP
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David Beckham and Victoria Beckham arrive for the wedding ceremony at St George's Chapel, Windsor. Image Credit: AFP
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A Royal Guard is seen at Windsor Castle ahead of wedding of Britain's Prince Harry to Meghan Markle Image Credit: Reuters
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Royal fans gather outside Windsor Castle ahead of the wedding of Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Image Credit: AFP
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Well-wishers with Union Flags stand at the barriers on the Long Walk leading to Windsor Castle Image Credit: AP
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Image Credit: Reuters
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People wake up on the Long Walk leading to Windsor Castle ahead of the wedding and carriage procession Image Credit: AFP
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London. Image Credit: AP
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Fans hold a spot at the front of barriers for the carriage procession outside Windsor Castle Image Credit: AP
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