Meghan Markle has launched her own mini-revolution as she married Prince Harry today in a multi-cultural and US-influenced wedding the likes of which Britain's royals and the millions watching have never seen before.
The newlyweds shared tears, laughter and a passionate kiss in front of their hundreds of VIP guests dominated by Holywood stars including the Clooneys, the Beckhams, Idris Elba, Oprah Winfrey, Tom Hardy and James Corden.
Elton John, who sang at Princess Diana's funeral in 1997, performed at the lunchtime reception in a nod to Harry's tragic past.
All the senior British royals were also there to support them including the Queen, Prince Philip, Harry's best man Prince William and his wife Kate, who brought George and Charlotte but left baby Louis with the nanny.
Today Meghan became the first mixed-race member of the royal family in an extraordinary journey for a girl born in LA to a white father and African-American mother who before she met her prince fought her way through the tough world of showbusiness to land a plum role in the TV series Suits.
Harry and Meghan's big day couldn't have been more different than royal weddings of the past, especially because the prince was visibly emotional throughout - and guests suggested it was the most diverse major event in the Queen's 66-year reign.
The prince had looked tearful when he saw his bride for the first time, grabbing her hand telling her: 'You look amazing - I missed you' before tenderly lifting her veil.
The new Duke of Sussex also said 'thank you, pa' after his father Prince Charles walked the now Duchess of Sussex down the aisle of St George's Chapel, Windsor, having stepped in at the last moment for Meghan's father Thomas.
The former actress, 36, managed to make a tearful Harry giggle as they exchanged vows before being pronounced man and wife by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.
Despite being an Anglican church service it had a distinctly American feel with a US bishop delivering a passionate address that appeared to make some royals snigger and a gospel choir filling the chapel with music from Ben E. King and Etta James.
But there was also much of the great British pageantry that royal fans around the world love - all set in the fairy tale surroundings of Windsor Castle on a stunning May spring day.
Meghan Markle launched her own mini-revolution as she married Prince Harry today in a relaxed and multi-cultural wedding Harry's relatives will never seen before
Meghan and Harry's kiss sparked huge cheers from people outside the chapel and the 100,000 watching on the streets of Windsor
A sea of smiling faces greets Harry and Meghan as they leave the church after the American-influenced service conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury
Meghan and Harry process out of the chapel after exchanging vows in a quite extraordinary wedding today
Harry looked delighted as he walked his new wife out of St George's Chapel to start their new life together
The couple, who are now the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, organised a wedding that reflected both their backgrounds
The newlyweds stare deeply into each other's eyes after the biggest and happiest day of his life
Laughter: One of the well-wishers in the crowds makes Meghan laugh and Prince Harry smile as they continue with their 25-minute tour of the royal market town
Harry looked very emotional at points in the service and several others in the congregation were in tears on their happy day
Harry and Meghan exchanged vows and then rings as the couple married after a whirlwind romance 
Meghan's mother Doria Ragland, who teh star calls her rock, was in tears ahead of her daughter's big entrance
Meghan walked halfway through the church before being met Prince Charles at the Quire who took her to Harry
Meghan's mother Doria Ragland (far left) stands next to Prince Charles, Camilla, George, William, Charlotte and Kate on the steps of St George's Chapel today after the wedding
Harry and Meghan's big day was a thoroughly modern affair for a new generation of royals with huge crowds all wanting to take their mobile picture or selfies
St George's Chapel has posted several royal weddings over the years but many are saying that it has never seen one as diverse and different as this one
On the steps of the chapel Meghan asked her new husband discreetly: 'Do we kiss?' and Harry whispered 'yeah' before passionately planting one on her lips.
Outside St George's Chapel, more than 100,000 fevered well-wishers gathered in glorious British sunshine and cheered the couple as they started their new married life in the grand Ascot Landau carriage.
Meghan waved and smiled to the crowds and said 'wow' to her new husband while, in his inimitable style, he said back: 'I'm ready for a drink now'.
As the newlyweds were swept through Windsor greeting huge crowds waving Union Flags the VIP guests were taken up to the castle for a lavish lunch and drinks hosted by the Queen.
Guests praised the relaxed atmosphere and diverse feel
Sarah Ferguson, ex-wife of Prince Andrew, said: 'I have had a lovely day and it is wonderful to see so many people out for this lovely occasion'.
The newlyweds had emerged from St George's Chapel to loud cheers from the crowd this afternoon.Stopping at the top of the stone steps, the pair shared a kiss to the delight of onlookers.
The couple were waved off and watched by members of the royal family as they left in an open-top Ascot Landau for a carriage procession through Windsor.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte, the oldest children of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, did not follow Harry and Meghan as they made their way back up the aisle.
Instead, the youngsters held their parents' hands as they made their way out of the chapel.
Mike Tindall was seen rubbing heavily-pregnant wife Zara's bump as the congregation waited for Harry and Meghan to sign their register.
Mr and Mrs Tindall are expecting their second child.
Harry and Meghan leaving the church as husband and wife after exchanging vows at St George's Chapel
The couple were all smiles as they left the chapel - a stark contrast to how nervous Harry had appeared when he arrived an hour earlier
Harry looks ecstatic and Meghan looks slightly shell-shocked as they start life as a married couple today
More than 120,000 people flooded Windsor today tempted by the chance to see the couple and enjoy the wonderful spring weather
![Crowds were ten or more deep today in 70f [21C] temperatures and bright spring sunshine](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_ua1T_c3JM8t21tYRa1TvzwTjEI-qKJZh6PlDWNYE_FnmPMDO1MGq4OCQ7fvipNtaY2m2TqHOf6vsT82HBmeJ1TGEN2tLUtu0Fwyz7_xIKROZeoCFQ11bPrBdZtlJ7yz9u30ezPKaEZImfzQcP48E2kRehLYe5f00PNIkChXV5N0umpaZjeSUM=s0-d)
Crowds were ten or more deep today in 70f [21C] temperatures and bright spring sunshine
H
Excitement: Royal fans pictured leaning out of windows and standing on roofs as the royal procession makes its way down Windsor's high street
A vision in white: Meghan Markle smiles to the camera as she rides alongside her husband Prince Harry
Outside St George's Chapel up to 100,000 fevered well-wishers have gathered in glorious British sunshine and cheered the couple as they started their new married life in the grand Ascot Landau carriage
Royal wave: Meghan waves gracefully as her husband smiles as the procession weaves its way through the streets of Windsor
And they're off! The married couple begin a procession through the streets of Windsor before they will head to the daytime reception with 600 guests at Frogmore House
Meghan was giggling throughout the carriage journey after she was officially welcomed to Britain's royal family
Incredible: The Long Walk is filled with thousands of people cheering in delight as the newly-weds slowly make their way past
Perfect day: The skies above Windsor are cloudless and powder blue as thousands line the path towards Windsor Castle
Meghan was seen telling her new husband: 'Wow' when she saw the huge crowds that had gathered for the royal wedding
Happy families: Kate and William share a joke as their four-year-old son Prince George looks out to the crowds
Princess Charlotte and another flower girl wave cheekily from t
The 600 rich, famous and regal guests invited to Meghan and Harry's revolutionary royal wedding
Duke of Cambridge - William, Harry's brother and best man.
Prince of Wales - Charles, Harry's father, the eldest child of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.
Duchess of Cornwall - Camilla, Charles' second wife. They married in 2005.
Duchess of Cambridge - William's wife, Harry's sister-in-law, and mother to George, Charlotte and newborn Louis.
Duke of York - Andrew, the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh's third child.
Princess Beatrice - Harry's cousin, who went viral for her distinctive headwear at William and Kate's wedding in 2011.
Princess Eugenie - Harry's cousin, Beatrice's younger sister.
Mr Jack Brooksbank - The fiance of Princess Eugenie, due to marry later this year.
Mrs Emilie van Cutsem - The widow of Prince Charles' late close friend Hugh van Cutsem.
Mrs Amanda Ward - The widow of Gerald Ward, Harry's godfather.
The Queen - Monarch, head of state, commander-in-chief of the British military, and Harry's grandmother.
Duke of Edinburgh - Prince Philip, 96, married the Queen in 1947.
Earl of Wessex - Edward, the Queen's youngest son.
Countess of Wessex - Edward's wife since 1999.
Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor - The Duke of Cambridge's 14-year-old cousin, daughter of the Earl and Countess of Wessex.
Viscount Severn - James, the Wessex's 10-year-old son, is 11th in line to the throne.
Princess Royal - The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh's only daughter.
Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence - The Queen's son-in-law, married to Anne since 1992.
Mr Peter Phillips - The Queen's eldest grandson, who was married in Windsor Castle in 2008.
Mrs Peter Phillips - Autumn Kelly, Mr Phillips' Canadian bride. They have two children.
Miss Jessie Webb - William's former nanny, who has more recently been helping to care for Prince George.
Mrs Mike Tindall - Zara Phillips, Harry's cousin, who had a successful career as an Olympic show jumper.
Mr Mike Tindall - Former England rugby player, married to Zara Phillips.
Duke of Gloucester - Richard, Duke of Gloucester, the Queen's cousin.
Duchess of Gloucester - Birgitte van Deurs, married into the royal family in 1972.
Lady Sarah Chatto - Princess Margaret's daughter, Harry's godmother.
Mr Daniel Chatto - Lady Sarah's husband.
Mr Arthur Chatto - The Chattos' 19-year-old son.
Mr Samuel Chatto - The Chattos' 21-year-old son
Princess Alexandra, the Hon. Lady Ogilvy - One of the Queen's cousins.
Earl of Snowdon - David Armstrong-Jones, son of the late Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones.
Countess of Snowdon - The Earl's wife, Serena Stanhope.
Viscount Linley - The Snowdons' 18-year-old son Charles Armstrong-Jones.
Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones - The Snowdons' 16-year-old daughter.
Duke of Kent - Edward, the Queen's cousin.
Duchess of Kent - Katharine, the Duke's wife.
Prince Michael of Kent - Queen's cousin - brother of Duke of Kent.
Princess Michael of Kent - Marie-Christine, Michael's wife.
Duchess of Westminster - Natalia Grosvenor, widow of the sixth Duke of Westminster, who died in 2016.
Duke of Westminster - Hugh Grosvenor, 27, the seventh person to have the title, following the death of his father.
Lady Viola Grosvenor - The Duke's 26-year-old sister.
Hon. Dame Shan Legge-Bourke - The mother of Harry's ex-nanny in all but name Tiggy Pettifer.
Mrs Charles Pettifer - Harry's ex-nanny, formerly known as Tiggy Legge-Bourke.
Mr Charles Pettifer - A former Guards officer, married Tiggy in 1999.
Lady Sarah McCorquodale - The sister of Harry's late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.
Mr Neil McCorquodale - Lady Sarah's husband.
Sir John Major - Prime Minister from 1990 to 1997, including during 1992 - a year referred to by the Queen as an "annus horribilis".
Dame Norma Major - Sir John's wife.
Lady Jane Fellowes - One of Diana's two older sisters, Harry's aunt. Giving the reading.
Mrs Claire van Straubenzee - Close friend to both Harry and William.
Mr Alexander van Straubenzee - Close friend to both Harry and William.
Mr William van Straubenzee - Friend of Harry's.
Lord Fellowes - The Queen's former private secretary, married to Diana's sister Lady Jane Fellowes.
Ms Genevieve Hillis - Meghan's long-time friend.
Mr Brian Kocinski - Meghan's friend.
Ms Abigail Leigh Spencer - American actress who starred alongside Meghan in Suits.
Ms Serena Williams - Tennis star and close friend of Meghan's.
Mr Alexis Ohanian - Serena's husband.
Ms Jill Smoller - High profile sports agent.
Ms Janina Gavankar - Meghan's close friend and fellow actress.
Mr Markus Anderson - Meghan's closest male friend, also credited with having introduced the royal couple.
Ms Celine Khavarani - Meghan's friend, works in the fashion industry in the US.
Mr Abraham Levy - Friend of the couple
Mrs Silver Tree - Producer and director, known for her work on the US series Suits alongside Meghan.
Mrs Amal Clooney - High-profile human rights lawyer.
Mr George Clooney - American actor, married to Amal.
Lady Carolyn Warren - Racing manager well known to the Queen.
Mr John Warren - Lady Carolyn's husband, and the monarch's current racing adviser.
Mrs Katalin Landon - Friend of Harry's.
Mr Arthur Landon - Long-time friend to Harry.
Miss Alessandra Balazs - Met Harry through Arthur Landon, also formed a close bond with Meghan.
Princess Mabereng - Married to Prince Seeiso, was also present at the wedding of Kate and William.
Mr Adrian Dandridge - A community worker in Botswana.
Mrs Sophie Dandridge - A community worker in Botswana.
Ms Oprah Winfrey - US chatshow queen.
Mrs Julia Samuel - Close friend of Diana, and Prince George's godmother.
Hon. Michael Samuel - Chairman of the Anna Freud Centre's trustees and husband to Julia.
Ms Doria Ragland - The bride's mother.
Mrs Benita Litt - One of Meghan's closest friends.
Mr Darren Litt - Benita's husband.
Mrs Lindsay Jordan - Also known as Lindsay Roth, author, friend of Meghan.
Mr Gavin Jordan - Married to Lindsay.
Mr Nicholas Walton Collins - Meghan's former agent.
Mrs Amelia Walton Collins - Nick's partner.
Miss Lucy Meadmore - Long-time friend of Meghan's.
Miss Isabel May - Close friend of Meghan's.
Ms Misha Nonoo - Introduced the couple, fashion designer, friend who set up blind date.
Mr Michael Hess - US oil tycoon, said to be a close friend of Princess Beatrice.
Sarah, Duchess of York - Harry's aunt, Beatrice and Eugenie's mother.
Lord Vestey - Samuel, Master of the Horse to the Royal Household.
Mrs Jessica Mulroney - One of Meghan's best friends, her daughter Ivy is a bridesmaid.
Mr Benedict Mulroney - Jessica's husband.
Mr Charlie van Straubenzee - Long-term friend of Harry.
Miss Daisy Jenks - Harry's friend.
Mr Thomas van Straubenzee - Known as Van, one of Harry's best friends.
Mrs Carolyn Bartholomew - Harry's godmother and friend of the late Diana.
Mr William Bartholomew - Carolyn's husband.
Mrs Heather Dorak - Celebrity pilates instructor and friend to Meghan.
Mr Matt Cohen - Heather Dorak's husband.
Mrs Sonia Lane Fox - Wife of Ed Lane Fox.
Mr Ed Lane Fox - Harry's private secretary, stepping down after the wedding.
Earl Spencer - Charles Spencer, younger brother of Diana, Harry's uncle.
Countess Spencer - Karen, wife of Charles Spencer.
George and Amal Clooney and David and Victoria Beckham are among the A-listers packing out Harry and Meghan's wedding in an extraordinary celebrity showing
New look: British actor Tom Hardy debuts his newly-shaved head as he holds hands with partner Charlotte Riley as they head in to the chapel
Oprah Winfrey has made the guest list and is seen arriving at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle for the wedding
Funny man: Gavin and Stacey creator and US TV host James Corden grins and gives thumbs up to the crowds of cheering fans as he heads towards the church with his partner
British stars: The Great Gatsby actress Carey Mulligan and husband Marcus Mumford, of Mumford and Sons join a host of celebrities and public figures for the star-studded wedding guestlist
Elton John, who sang at Princess Diana's funeral in 1997, performed at the lunchtime reception in a nod to Harry's tragic past
Few things illustrated the disparate cultural beginnings of bride and groom better than the religious figures who appeared at their wedding.
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby officiated with the measured solemnity common to Church of England services, while Chicago-born Bishop Curry riveted the congregation with a fiery delivery of his 'Power of Love' address.
His speech touched on issues including slavery and poverty, even channeling the spirit of another celebrated black orator, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
While the bishop's performance may have been a break from the norm for the royal family, it delighted viewers in America.
US journalist Elamin Abdelmahmoud tweeted: '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.'
Former British tabloid editor Piers Morgan added: 'Wow. Still reeling from Rev Curry. What a moment. What a guy! He may have gone on a bit long but as my youngest son just rang to say: 'Dad, imagine being a black American watching this wedding? It's historic - and brilliant.' He's right.'
Staples of gospel music sat alongside traditional church hymns on the order of service handed out to wedding guests.
Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir captivated viewers around the world with a performance of Stand By Me, written by African-American singer Ben E King, and This Little Light Of Mine, a tune which coloured the sound of the civil rights movement.
Many wrote online that the performance had reduced them to tears.
Ms Gibson later told Sky News: 'Both of those are gospel staples you know, they are very well known. Etta James has done this arrangement.
'We really enjoyed it, we really rocked up to that one you know? It was great fun.'
Praising the address of Bishop Curry, she added: 'It's what we're actually used to that's the flavour of preachers we're used to, so we were getting very excited.'
As the couple slipped away for the signing of the register during the service, another talented black musician, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, took centre stage.
The British cellist - winner of BBC Young Musician 2016 - held the attention of the chapel as he performed several moving pieces which had been selected by the palace.
The 19-year-old later told the broadcaster: 'It's such an honour and it's something that you could never expect.
'I still don't quite believe it, so it's just an amazing experience.'
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pictured moments after they married now becoming the Duke and Duchess of Sussex
Royals including Prince Charles, Camilla, The Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Andrew and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie
Doria, Charles and Camilla left the chapel together and the trio have said to have formed a good bond despite having only met this week
Like mother, like daughter: The Duchess of Cambridge holds her daughter's hand as Princess Charlotte epitomises the perfect royal as she politely waves to well-wishers
Regal: The queen looks every inch the head of the family and state as she waves out to applauding crowds alongside husband Prince Phillip after they marry
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Cambridge arrive ahead of the wedding of Harry and Meghan at St George's Chapel today
The Prince of Wales and Doria Ragland, mother of the bride, depart from St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle today
Meghan's mother Doria Ragland thanks Prince Charles for walking her daughter down the aisle at St George's Chapel
Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall wait in the chapel for the wedding ceremony today
The Duke of Cambridge and his father Prince William both laugh during the service at St George's Chapel
Philip reads the order of service at St George's Chapel today as he attends the the wedding, just six weeks after his hip op
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip arrive at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle for the wedding today
You could hear a pin drop as the 600 guests watched the British prince and American star say 'I do' in the historic surroundings of the chapel at Windsor Castle.
At midday, all eyes were turned to the grand door at the West Steps to catch the first glimpse of Meghan as she appeared through the ornate entrance.
Just before the bride arrived, the bridesmaids and pageboys were ushered in by the Duchess of Cambridge, who helped coax them into their positions with an encouraging hand on their shoulder.
The children were handed flowers behind the door when one of the little bridesmaids began to cry.
With such a crew of youngsters following the bride up to the altar, it was unlikely to be plain sailing.
The Cambridges' nanny, Maria, lifted the child up to comfort her, as Prince George looked up at the tearful girl.
George briefly chatted with his nanny, who helped to organise the group.
Harry's niece and nephew - George and Princess Charlotte - were among the six bridesmaids and four pageboys, all aged between two and seven.
Harry's goddaughters Zalie Warren, two, and three-year-old Florence van Cutsem, Ms Markle's goddaughters, sisters Remi and Rylan Litt, aged six and seven respectively, and four-year-old Ivy Mulroney - the daughter of Meghan's close friend Jessica Mulroney - were bridesmaids.
The other pageboys were Harry's six-year-old godson Jasper Dyer - the son of Harry's mentor Mark Dyer - and Mrs Mulroney's seven-year-old twin sons Brian and John Mulroney.
A member of Prince Harry's household bent down to help to adjust one of the bridesmaid's dresses before their walk up the aisle.
When Meghan appeared through the doors of the chapel, sunlight streaming in behind her, she turned to smile and wave at the children who were standing to her right.
Her sparkling tiara dazzled in the light of the chapel.
The gaggle of children toddled up the aisle behind Meghan through the Nave, before the bride was joined by the Prince of Wales and the pair made their way down the aisle of the Quire to where Harry was waiting.
Guests turned to smile at each other after Meghan and the children made their way past each pew, perhaps approving of the sumptuous bridal gown and ethereal veil or admiring the children carrying out their duties with aplomb.
A few minutes later, there were giggles when the Archbishop of Canterbury conducted the declarations.
A loud and clear 'We will' sounded out when the guests were asked if they would support Harry and Meghan.
Husband and wife: The couple, announced today as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, share a tender moment on the steps of the chapel following the emotional ceremony
Screaming crowds: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were greeted with cheering and whoops from well-wishers lining the path
Meghan's mother Doria Ragland smiled at the Prince of Wales and took his hand as they joined the newlyweds in one of the chapel's transepts to privately record their marriage.
There was a hush around the chapel as the wedding ceremony began and the crowds listened intently as the Dean of Windsor, David Connor, started proceedings.
The silence was only broken by the rumble of aircraft passing overhead and the odd champagne cork popping.
The crowd in Horseshoe Cloister shouted a resounding 'We will' as the Archbishop of Canterbury posed the question inside St George's Chapel as to whether the families and friends of Prince Harry and Meghan would support them in their marriage.
Meghan's delicate veil was five metres long and made from silk tulle with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers in silk threads and organza, with her two pageboys carrying the ends as she made her way up the steps.
Her hair was up and she wore the glittering Queen Mary's Diamond Bandeau tiara, loaned to her by the Queen.
The presiding bishop of the American Episcopal Church Bishop Bishop Michael Curry enthusiastically delivered a passionate address about the power of love - but it appeared to make many in the congregation laugh.
It is expected to be the biggest royal wedding in Britain since Prince William married Kate in 2011 with more than 21million UK households set to watch and 23million expected to tune in from America.
Ms Markle's wedding dress has been designed by the acclaimed British designer, Clare Keller, the first female Artistic Director at the historic French fashion house Givenchy
Meghan Markle has married Prince Harry in a moving service officiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury and watched by millions around the world
A tearful Prince Harry grabbed his bride Meghan's hand and told her: 'You look amazing' as he saw her for the first time
Harry would not let go of his new wife's hands throughout the moving ceremony in Windsor today
Meghan and Harry were pronounced man and wife by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby
Meghan's dress had an extraordinary long trail that flowed out into the chapel as she married Harry today
Meghan Markle and her bridal party walk with her down the aisle of St George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle
But the tears turned to laughter when the star made him giggle as they exchanged vows in the extraordinarily moving ceremony watched by millions around the world
veil was held in place by Queen Mary's diamond bandeau tiara, lent to her by The Queen, made in 1932 - an outfit that left her mother Doria Ragland, 62, in tears.
Meghan arrived accompanied by two page boys who held up her train as she made her way up the chapel's steps alone and entered the chapel by herself, to begin the walk down the alter, before being met by the Prince of Wales.
David Emanuel, who designed Diana, Princess of Wales's dress for her wedding to the Prince of Wales in 1981, said of Meghan Markle's outfit: 'The bride is simplicity herself.'
He added: 'The dress is as I predicted - simple, stylish, elegant and understated.
'I think the story is in the silk jewelled veil - it encompasses all the Commonwealth flowers, which I think is very clever.'
Asked what he thought Harry's late mother would have said about the dress, Mr Emanuel said: 'I think Diana would have approved.'
Elegant: Ms Markle looks emotional but happy as she gracefully makes her way down the aisle
Harry told his bride that he had missed her after their night apart and clutched her hand throughout the moving service
Harry said 'thank you, pa' after his father Prince Charles walked her down the aisle of St George's Chapel, Windsor
Support: Ms Markle delicately holds Prince Charles' arm as she walks towards the alter. This touching moment is all the more poignant after her own father was forced to drop out of the wedding earlier this week due to health problems
Important job: The two pageboys have the important task of carefully carrying Ms Markle's train up the flight of steps to the chapel
Meghan's bouquet contains several flowers handpicked by Prince Harry from their private garden, Kensington Palace said.
'The spring blooms include Forget-Me-Nots which were Diana, Princess of Wales' favourite flower. The couple specifically chose them to be included in Ms Markle's bouquet to honour the memory of the late princess on this special day.
'The bride's bouquet is a petite design, pulled together in a gentle, ethereal, relaxed style with delicate blooms also including scented sweet peas, lily of the valley, astilbe, jasmine and astrantia, and sprigs of myrtle all bound with a naturally dyed, raw silk ribbon.
'The myrtle sprigs are from stems planted at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, by Queen Victoria in 1845, and from a plant grown from the myrtle used in the Queen's wedding bouquet of 1947.
'The tradition of carrying myrtle begun after Queen Victoria was given a nosegay containing myrtle by Prince Albert's grandmother during a visit to Gotha in Germany.
'In the same year, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert bought Osborne House as a family retreat, and a sprig from the posy was planted against the terrace walls, where it continues to thrive today.
'The myrtle was first carried by Queen Victoria's eldest daughter, Princess Victoria, when she married in 1858.'
The Most Rev Bishop Michael Curry, the first African-American presiding bishop and primate of the Episcopal Church, gave an address titled the Power of Love at the service in St George's Chapel.
He opened his speech with the words of Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr, who said: 'We must discover the power of love, the redemptive power of love. And when we do that, we will be able to make of this old world a new world. Love is the only way.'
The bishop then added: 'There's power in love. Don't underestimate it. Don't even over-sentimentalise. There is power, power in love.'
The Episcopal Church is the US offshoot of the Church of England and forms part of the broader Anglican Communion. Meghan was baptised into the Anglican Church, which is headed by Harry's grandmother.
Bishop Curry told the service: 'There's power in love. Love can help and heal when nothing else can. There's power in love to lift up and liberate when nothing else will.'
Such power could be seen in the service, he continued, saying: 'Two young people fell in love and we all showed up.'
Meghan Markle has left to marry Prince in a tiara and veil over her face with her mother Doria for support
Huge crowds turned out for the cheer and wave Union Flags at Meghan as she made her way to marry Harry
Prince Harry looked nervous as he arrived at St George's with his best man William but quickly warmed up waving and grinning at crowds before greeting guests inside and outside the chapel.
Her mother Doria smiled and looked adoringly at her daughter in the back of her wedding car, again supporting her in the absence of her father Thomas Markle.
Mother and daughter drove away in a Rolls-Royce Phantom IV, which was built and delivered to the Queen in 1950 and used by Kate Middleton for her trip to Westminster Abbey when she married William seven years ago.
The couple have invited 2,000 guests and have needed more than three hours to fill the church with friends including actor Tom Hardy, Carey Mulligan, tennis player Serena Williams and many of Meghan's Suits co-stars all there.
Harry's ex-girlfriends Chelsy Davy and Cressida Bonas were also invited and joined the Middletons and his uncle Earl Spencer in the giant congregation.
Royals including the Queen and Prince Charles - who will walk Meghan down the aisle after her father dropped out - will be the last to arrive before Harry, William and finally Meghan, who will enter the church alone.
Princess Diana's son's whirlwind romance with the US-born actress, 36, has captured the public's imagination and they will become the Duke and Duchess of Sussex when they marry.
After a secret six-month relationship the couple went public and later confirmed they got engaged in November when he proposed while roasting a chicken in his Kensington Palace flat.
Their big day is finally here after a week of turmoil for Meghan after her father pulled out at the last minute and her estranged relatives flooded into the UK to cash in on her big day. Cheers and applause erupted at the West Door as Prince Harry and the Duke of Cambridge arrived at St George's Chapel. The bridegroom and his best man were met by the Dean of Windsor.
They stopped for a few moments and had a brief conversation, before walking inside.
Harry, looking dapper in his frockcoat uniform of the Blues and Royals, walked up the aisle with his best man and was seen acknowledging a guest in the congregation with a nod.
Both Harry and the Duke of Cambridge are wearing the frockcoat uniform of the Blues and Royals.
The Queen gave her permission for her grandson to get married in his uniform, Kensington Palace said.
Both uniforms were tailored at Dege & Skinner on Savile Row.Tens of thousands of royal fans are in the Berkshire town to catch a glimpse of the bride and groom, as police have effectively created a £30million ring of steel around the castle in a massive security operation.
Many slept on the streets and more have left their homes in the middle of the night or travelled from across the world to see them.
Revellers wearing wedding dresses, union and American flags and other outlandish outfits have been popping Champagne and prosecco since 8am or earlier as they toasted the happy couple.
The official 10 Downing Street Twitter account posted a message to the couple from Theresa May, saying: 'My very best wishes to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on their wedding day. To all of those joining the national celebration with street parties and other events, have a wonderful day.'
No comments:
Post a Comment