Welcome to our live blog covering the day before Harry and Meghan's wedding. We'll be bringing you a variety of updates throughout the day. We expect to see the couple at Windsor where Meghan's mother Doria will meet the Queen and this evening, we hope to see images of the mother and daughter leaving for Cliveden House Hotel. The most recent updates will appear at the top of the post. Don't forget to refresh the page to see the latest updates!
20:50 - I have published a separate post covering Meghan and Doria's arrival at Cliveden. Click here to view it. The live blog is now closed, see you at 8 am and thanks for following today :)
19:05 - Another beautiful photo.
18:55 - Stunning mother-daughter shot.
18:45 - An arrival video.
Meghan Markle and her mother Doria Ragland arrive at Cliveden House where they'll spend the night, before #RoyalWedding in the morning https://t.co/yKQhhUBxBm pic.twitter.com/tVfrfKr0xF— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) May 18, 2018
18:35 - Meghan is wearing the Roland Mouret Barwick fit and flare wool crepe dress (with thanks to Amanda from Meghan's Mirror). It's available at FarFetch.
18:30 - We can expect gorgeous photos of Meghan and Doria shortly.
18:23 - Meghan and Doria have just arrived at the Cliveden House Hotel. When asked how she's feeling, Meghan replied "Wonderful, thank you". Doria met both the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh today.
18:20 - Harry and his Best Man William met with members of the crowd in Windsor. There was an electric atmosphere and the pair were beaming.
The Telegraph reports:Prince Harry and best man Prince William meet well-wishers at Windsor ahead of tomorrow's #RoyalWedding https://t.co/XAYljKMz9J pic.twitter.com/CiM2RV4pnv— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) May 18, 2018
'Adoring audience members filmed the occasion on their phones as a team of security guards made sure nothing untoward took place.
At one point Harry was handed a small teddy bear wearing a red sweater, which he gave a quick hug before moving on to speak to a young boy sporting a red, white and blue crown-style hat.
When asked how he was feeling, Harry replied: "Great."
Afterwards the pair left for Coworth Park where they will spend the night. The luxury retreat is set on 240 acres of picturesque Berkshire parkland. The estate features an eco-luxury spa with an indoor pool and three restaurants. The rooms have stunning views of the lime grove, meadows and polo fields."
17:50 - Harry and William are meeting the crowds at Windsor. You can watch Sky News live below.
17:20 - Reports Harry and William might do an impromptu walkabout.
17:15 - Sky reports something is about to happen in Windsor. Sniffer dogs and a large number of police on the scene. Are the couple departing? Could an impromptu walkabout be on the cards?
17:10 - A fabulous video showing an overview of the majestic Windsor Castle.
16:20 - A friend kindly alerted me to a very sweet moment most (including yours truly) missed yesterday. The Queen was photographed in Windsor yesterday accompanied by none other than Meghan's beagle Guy. Harry revealed the Queen's Corgi's have taken to Meghan greatly and it looks like Guy feels the same about Her Majesty. You can view the video at Lainey Gossip.
Meghan and Guy.
15:50 - Excitement in Windsor is reaching fever pitch. Take a look at the crowds...
Hoping to snag a spot outside Windsor Castle for the #royalwedding? Better hurry! pic.twitter.com/3oDvFP8nd8— Jeff Semple (@JeffSempleGN) May 18, 2018
The Royal Family shared this excellent look at the route the procession will take tomorrow.
As preparations for the Wedding of Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle continue in Windsor, join us for a look at the route the newlyweds will take in a Carriage Procession following the Wedding Ceremony.#RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/YnFQVhxxti— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) May 18, 2018
Marks and Spencer in Windsor has had a Royal Wedding rebrand.
An overview from Windsor.
Outside the Castle.
Even the local police are getting in on the action.
15:05 - Whilst Harry, Meghan and Doria are enjoying tea with the Queen, all ten page boys and bridesmaids are at a rehearsal with their parents. I expect William and Kate are there.
15: 05 - High-res images coming in from the wonderful James Whatling. The couple look incredibly happy.
A closer look at the bride-to-be.
14:30 - It's a wonderful opportunity for Meghan's mother to meet Her Majesty and of course to discuss tomorrow's wedding. They both look very excited.
A video of the couple leaving Kensington Palace.
Harry & Meghan leave Kensington Palace as #royalwedding preparations enter their final stages https://t.co/85kSVooaQf pic.twitter.com/WbB76Uz0an— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) May 18, 2018
14:25 - Harry, Meghan and Doria have arrived at Windsor Castle for tea with the Queen.
14:15 - Members of the Suits cast are preparing to attend the wedding. Rick Hoffman, Gina Torres and Sarah Rafferty spoke to Today. Rick reminisced about a fun memory of Meghan joining him for a wedding in Paris. Five years later, he has arrived in London to attend Meghan's.
What would the @Suits_USA cast want us to know about Meghan Markle? @RickHoffman_ shares a sweet story with @savannahguthrie and @hodakotb pic.twitter.com/Fp1Q06hx22— TODAY (@TODAYshow) May 18, 2018
The cast discuss how they found out they were dating back in 2016.
“They’re a great match.” The @Suits_USA cast talks about the moments when they found out that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were dating pic.twitter.com/b6qMagLBTf— TODAY (@TODAYshow) May 18, 2018
“I think it’s a massive deal because this is a future king basically saying to Meghan, ‘Welcome to the royal family.’” @CamillaTominey details the significance of Prince Charles walking Meghan Markle down the aisle #royalwedding pic.twitter.com/zfgTdBj4Z4— TODAY (@TODAYshow) May 18, 2018
Camilla also revealed "the service has soul".
“The service has soul.” @CamillaTominey teases the Order of Service for tomorrow’s #royalwedding pic.twitter.com/0bDvDEGo3g— TODAY (@TODAYshow) May 18, 2018
More from the KP:
Live updates and material from the wedding of Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle will be released through a range of online platforms throughout the day. The multimedia coverage is in line with the couple’s wishes to make the wedding as accessible as possible for as many people as want to participate.
As well as the live broadcast on the main channels in the UK – BBC One, ITV and Sky – people can follow the Royal Wedding on social media on;
- Facebook - The British Monarchy Facebook page
- Twitter - @RoyalFamily, @KensingtonRoyal, @ClarenceHouse
- Instagram - @TheRoyalFamily, @KensingtonRoyal, @ClarenceHouse
- Youtube - The Royal Channel
Our Watch The Wedding page has additional information on programming and live streaming.
10:45 - Buckingham Palace confirms Prince Philip will attend the wedding. Terrific news!
10.00 - Kensington Palace just confirmed Prince Charles will walk Meghan down the aisle. The Palace said "The Prince is pleased to be able to welcome Ms. Markle to The Royal Family in this way". He will the escort her to her Prince. I think it's an excellent choice. It would have placed enormous pressure on Doria at very short notice and Meghan will want her mother to enjoy the day. It's also another clear indication of how warmly welcomed Meghan has been by her future in-laws. A show of unity and support following what has undoubtedly been a stressful week.
Meghan will make the first half of the walk, up the nave, with the page boys and bridesmaids before meeting Charles at the Quire. A look at the layout from Emily Andrews.
Omid Scobie revealed sources told him Charles was "extremely touched" by Meghan's request.
People reports:
'The royal bride-to-be asked Charles to take over the duty in the last 24 hours, since it was revealed that her father was not able to attend. “It was Meghan’s wish and she is grateful for the Prince of Wales to be doing it,” a royal source tells PEOPLE.'
09:50 - The baking of the Royal Wedding Lemon and Elderflower cake is firmly underway.
The ingredients?
🍋 200 Amalfi lemons:
🥚 500 organic eggs from Suffolk
🐄 20kgs of butter
🍰 20kgs of flour
🍬 20kgs of sugar
🥃 10 bottles of Sandringham Elderflower Cordial
More from The Telegraph:
'The royal bakers have revealed they are abandoning the tradition of a tiered wedding cake - and teased of a surprise unveiling on the day. Claire Ptak, who is making the culinary centrepiece, said the layered lemon and elderflower cake will be in three parts of varying sizes.
The final design will be unveiled on the big day, with the couple in on the plans, but it will be unveiled in a non-traditional way, she said. "You'll have to wait and see on the day. It's an installation of the way that we're putting it out. It's the last thing that we'll reveal. It's a non-traditional layout," Ms Ptak said.
"It's a slight shift from tradition." She revealed how Prince Harry and Meghan Markle loved trying a number of different cake samples before settling on lemon and elderflower for their big day. She said: "They loved it. They tried quite a collection. What they said to me is that they really loved the idea of the seasonality and the freshness."
Claire is not making a back up cake adding: "It's a cake. It can't go that wrong. We don't want to be wasteful."
🎥 Watch as baker Claire Ptak begins work on the #RoyalWedding Cake! pic.twitter.com/OTdcF9hc0a— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) May 18, 2018