Wedding bells are ringing! Ever since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their engagement on Nov. 27, the world has been anxiously awaiting their wedding day. The couple, who met in London in July 2016 and confirmed their relationship that November, have shared updates with the public throughout the planning process.
Harry and Markle will tie the knot on May 19, 2018. Kensington Palace confirmed their wedding date on Dec. 15 via Twitter.
The engaged couple decided on St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle in England for their big day. St. George’s Chapel holds significance for Harry – he was baptized at the place of worship in 1984. Prince Edward and Countess Sophie’s 1999 nuptials, and Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla’s 2005 prayer and dedication service, also took place at the chapel.
Kensington Palace announced on March 22 that the invitations for the wedding were officially sent out. Around 600 people have been invited to the service at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle and Queen Elizabeth II’s lunchtime reception at St George’s Hall.
Us Weekly confirmed on Dec. 4 that Harry asked his brother Prince William to be his best man. Kensington Palace officially confirmed the news on April 26. “The Duke of Cambridge is honored to have been asked, and is very much looking forward to supporting his brother at St George’s Chapel, Windsor on May 19th,” the statement read.
A source also revealed that more than 15 cast and crew members from Markle’s USA show, “Suits,” will be invited including Patrick J. Adams, Sarah Rafferty, Rick Hoffman and Gabriel Macht. Markle has also invited a lot of her friends from all over the world, including Serena Williams, Priyanka Chopra, Misha Nonoo, Tanya Burr and Jim Chapman, London chef Tom Sellers, and Justin and Sophie Trudeau.
The source adds that it’s likely that Harry has invited James Blunt, Ellie Goulding, Joss Stone and Lesotho’s Prince Seeiso. Another insider told Us that despite reports to the contrary, Sarah “Fergie” Ferguson will attend the royal nuptials. While it has not been confirmed that he is attending, Sir Elton John sparked rumors he will perform at the wedding after he rescheduled two Las Vegas concerts that were originally set for the weekend of May 19. And Kensington Palace announced that no political leaders, including Donald Trump and Barack Obama, will be invited.
Harry, who was only 12 years old when his mother, Princess Diana, died in a car accident in August 1997, proposed to Markle with a ring that featured diamonds from a brooch that belonged to Princess Di. Royal expert Ingrid Seward spoke to Us about why she thinks Markle might wear the late princess’ tiara on her wedding day.
“She will have access to jewels from the royal collection made available to her by the Queen,” Seward explained. “She can choose something suitable, but she might also have the Spencer tiara, which is also Harry’s heritage and is the one Diana wore on her wedding day.” (Us Weekly)
