Hello and welcome to our Royal Wedding Live Blog. We'll be with you throughout the day, with the latest updates and photos as they emerge. The most recent updates will appear at the top of the page. Don't forget to hit the refresh button to see the latest news.
The Royal Family Live Stream can be viewed here. Below, the PBS Live Stream.
13:40 - I'm going to get to work on my main post for the wedding and will see you all shortly :)
A fabulous image from the carriage procession.
13:05 - The happy couple.
13.00 - Singing God Save The Queen.
12:50 - Charles and Doria.
12:42 - Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
The big moment...#HarryandMeghan become husband and wife - and are now known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, with cheers being heard outside St George's Chapel.— ITV News (@itvnews) May 19, 2018
Watch the #RoyalWedding live on @ITV and https://t.co/X1He4LBgDJ pic.twitter.com/YDD1AE0p0Z
12:40 - Husband and wife!
12:35 - The choir are singing Stand By Me.
12:25 - An arrival video of the bride.
12:20 - A stunning photo.Ms. Meghan Markle arrives at St George's Chapel #RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/Hj79je8glV— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 19, 2018
12:15 - What a moment.
Prince Harry removes Meghan Markle's veil at the #RoyalWedding. https://t.co/9c7Q1NnHMS pic.twitter.com/wzChAagXj5— ABC News (@ABC) May 19, 2018
12:10 - A statement on the items worn at the wedding from the Palace:
The Wedding Dress, Bridesmaids’ Dresses and Page Boys' Uniforms
The Wedding Dress: Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy
Ms. Meghan Markle’s wedding dress has been designed by the acclaimed British designer, Clare Waight Keller. Ms. Waight Keller last year became the first female Artistic Director at the historic French fashion house Givenchy.
After meeting Ms. Waight Keller in early 2018, Ms. Markle chose to work with her for her timeless and elegant aesthetic, impeccable tailoring, and relaxed demeanour. Ms. Markle also wanted to highlight the success of a leading British talent who has now served as the creative head of three globally influential fashion houses – Pringle of Scotland, Chloé, and now Givenchy.
Ms. Markle and Ms. Waight Keller worked closely together on the design. The dress epitomises a timeless minimal elegance referencing the codes of the iconic House of Givenchy and showcasing the expert craftsmanship of its world-renowned Parisian couture atelier founded in 1952.
The Design
True to the heritage of the house, the pure lines of the dress are achieved using six meticulously placed seams. The focus of the dress is the graphic open bateau neckline that gracefully frames the shoulders and emphasises the slender sculpted waist. The lines of the dress extend towards the back where the train flows in soft round folds cushioned by an underskirt in triple silk organza. The slim three-quarter sleeves add a note of refined modernity.
The Fabric
Following extensive research by Ms. Waight Keller in fabric mills throughout Europe, an exclusive double bonded silk cady was developed. Perfect for the round sculptural look required, the silk cady has a soft matt lustre whilst the bonding process and pure white colour chosen by Ms. Markle and Ms. Waight Keller bring a fresh modernity to the dress.
The Veil
Ms. Markle expressed the wish of having all 53 countries of the Commonwealth with her on her journey through the ceremony. Ms. Waight Keller designed a veil representing the distinctive flora of each Commonwealth country united in one spectacular floral composition.
The Commonwealth family of nations – of which Her Majesty The Queen is Head –will be a central part of Prince Harry’s and Ms. Markle’s official work following His Royal Highness’s appointment as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador. Ms. Markle wanted to express her gratitude for the opportunity to support the work of the Commonwealth by incorporating references to its members into the design of her wedding dress.
Significant time was spent researching the flora of each Commonwealth country and much care was taken by Ms. Waight Keller to ensure that every flower is unique.
The veil is five meters long and made from silk tulle with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers in silk threads and organza.
Each flower was worked flat, in three dimensions to create a unique and delicate design. The workers spent hundreds of hours meticulously sewing and washing their hands every thirty minutes to keep the tulle and threads pristine.
In addition to the flora of the Commonwealth, Ms. Markle also selected two personal favourites:
Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox), which grows in the grounds of Kensington Palace in front of Nottingham Cottage, and the California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) the State flower from Ms. Markle’s place of birth, California.
Symmetrically placed at the very front of the veil, crops of wheat are delicately embroidered and blend into the flora, to symbolise love and charity.
A selection of flora distinctive from every state member of the Commonwealth.
The veil is held in place by Queen Mary's diamond bandeau tiara, lent to Ms. Markle by The Queen. The diamond bandeau is English and was made in 1932, with the centre brooch dating from 1893.
The bandeau, which is made of diamonds and platinum, is formed as a flexible band of eleven sections, pierced with interlaced ovals and pavé set with large and small brilliant diamonds. The centre is set with a detachable brooch of ten brilliant diamonds.
The diamond bandeau was made for Queen Mary and specifically designed to accommodate the centre brooch. This brooch was given as a present to the then Princess Mary in 1893 by the County of Lincoln on her marriage to Prince George, Duke of York. The bandeau and the brooch were bequeathed by Queen Mary to The Queen in 1953.
The Bride is wearing earrings and bracelet made by Cartier.
Wedding Shoes
The wedding shoes are based on a Givenchy refined pointed couture design made of a silk duchess satin.
The Bride’s Bouquet
Prince Harry handpicked several flowers yesterday from their private garden at Kensington Palace to add to the bespoke bridal bouquet designed by florist Philippa Craddock.
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.
Bridal Hair and Make-Up
Ms. Markle's hair was styled by Serge Normant, with make-up by long-time friend and make-up artist Daniel Martin.
Bridesmaids’ Dresses
Clare Waight Keller designed the six young Bridesmaids’ dresses in the Givenchy Haute Couture Atelier in Paris.
The dresses were designed to have the same timeless purity as Ms. Markle's dress.
Each dress is sculpted in Ivory silk Radzimir, and is high-waisted with short puff sleeves and hand finished with a double silk ribbon detail tied at the back in a bow. The Bridesmaids’ dresses include pockets and pleated skirts to create a relaxed and luxurious silhouette.
The Bridesmaids are wearing white leather Aquazurra shoes; each pair is monogrammed with the Bridesmaids initials, and the wedding date. The shoes are a gift from Ms. Markle to the young ladies as a keepsake of the special day.
Bridesmaids’ Flowers
The bridesmaids each have flower crowns selected by Prince Harry and Ms. Markle, which have been designed by florist Philippa Craddock.
The Bridesmaids' flowers replicate the flowers used in the bridal bouquet.
Page Boys' Uniforms
The four Pages are wearing a miniature version of the Blues and Royals frockcoat. The uniform draws its insignia from the Blues and Royals, which is an old Regiment of The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry. Both are also wearing Blues and Royals frockcoats for the Wedding Day.
The frockcoats are made from blue doeskin, single-breasted in style with a stand-up collar and completed with figured braiding of Regimental pattern. The figured braiding has been scaled down for the Pages, as otherwise it would have gone above their shoulders.
As a special memento, each Page has their initials embroidered in gold on their shoulder straps. The Pages are not wearing hats or white waist belts for practical reasons.
Their leg garments are made from blue/black wool barathea with three-quarter scarlet stripes fastened with a leather strap.
The uniforms were cut and made by the tailors Dege & Skinner in Savile Row.
Mother of the Bride's Dress
Ms. Ragland wears a custom dress and day coat designed by creative directors of Oscar de la Renta, Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim.
Ms. Ragland's shoes are designed by Edgardo Osorio of Aquazurra, and her custom hat was designed exclusively for her by British milliner Stephen Jones, O.B.E., whom Ms. Markle has worked closely with since moving to the UK.
Stephen Jones was also commissioned by Ms. Markle to create custom hats for several of her closest friends.
12:05 - A high-res image of Meghan and Doria.
12.00 - The bride's gown is by Claire Waight Keller, artistic director for Givenchy.
11.55 - The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall have arrived.
11.52 - The mother of the bride is radiant in green.
11.50 - Just a few more minutes Harry.
11.48 - Not long now :)
11.45 - It is thought Meghan is wearing Queen Mary's Filigree Tiara.
11.36 - The Groom and Best Man wearing their Blues and Royals uniforms.
11.35 - A better look at the bride wearing an updo and tiara.
11.30 - Members of the royal family.
11.20 - The bride!
11.05 - The Royal Family YouTube stream is live. I've added it to the top of the post.
11.03 - Sarah, Duchess of York.
11.01 - Serena Williams.
11.00 - Members of the Suits cast are arriving.
10:56 - Meghan's close friend Priyanka Chopra.
10:46 - Guests mingling.
10:45 - Meghan and Doria will leave Cliveden at 11.15 a,.
10.25 - George and Amal Clooney. Amal looks stunning in Stella McCartney.
The Beckhams.
10:15 - The Middleton family arrive. Pippa is wearing The Fold Hepburn Dress (with thanks to Kate).
10.10 - Chelsy Davy arrives.
10:05 - An update on the rings from Kensington Palace:
'Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle have chosen Cleave and Company to make their wedding rings. Ms. Markle's ring has been fashioned from a piece of Welsh Gold, gifted by Her Majesty The Queen.
Prince Harry's ring will be a platinum band with a textured finish. Both rings were crafted in the Cleave workshop. The rings will be carried to St George's Chapel on the day of the wedding by the Duke of Cambridge, in his capacity as Best Man.
Established in London since 2001, Cleave and Company holds two Royal Warrants granted by Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.
Cleave and Company made Ms. Markle's engagement ring in 2017.'
10.00 - Idris Elba and Oprah arrival video.
Enter Hollywood! @idriselba and @Oprah are the first TV guests to arrive at #Windsor for the #royalwedding pic.twitter.com/jcm72RBA6X— Sky News (@SkyNews) May 19, 2018
09:53 - Oprah takes her seat.
09:51 - Diana's niece, Lady Kitty Spencer.
09:50 - Singer James Blunt.
09:45 - Oprah has arrived.
09:42 - Actor Idris Elba has arrived and Earl Spencer.
09:40 - The chapel doors are open and guests are starting to arrive.
Take a look inside the #RoyalWedding venue for the first time, as the doors to St George's Chapel are opened.#HarryAndMeghan pic.twitter.com/UIQ4QfpYCd— BBC (@BBC) May 19, 2018
09:35 - William and Harry have left Coworth Park in a convoy. They are expected to meet family members before heading to St George's Chapel.
09:20 - I've added the Washington Post Live Stream to the top of the blog.
09:20 - How fabulous does St George's look?
08-50 - ITV reports: "St George’s Chapel has been adorned with floral displays ahead of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tying the knot. The first pictures from inside the historic building show foliage, white peonies, white garden roses and other white blooms adorning the front of the organ loft, towering above the seats. A central arch will serve to frame the royal couple as a congregation of family, friends and well-wishers watch them take their vows. Two large arrangements also sit either side of the High Altar in the Windsor Castle chapel. The display, which also features foxgloves with branches of beech, birch and hornbeam, also extends to outside the chapel, lining the West Steps and surrounding the West Door through which Meghan will enter the church."
09:00 - Meghan and her mother Doria are currently at Cliveden House Hotel. I imagine Meghan is having her hair and make up done as we speak. Sky reports we should see them leaving just after 11 am.
08:46 - Take a look at this. In just over three hours Meghan will walk up these steps.
The stage is set at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, for the #RoyalWedding— ITV News (@itvnews) May 19, 2018
Read more: https://t.co/P67B8dPvoF pic.twitter.com/G8dg9gmBGI
08:45 - Flowers adorn the walls of St George's Chapel.
08:35 - The scenes at Windsor this morning.
British and American flags.
Royal fans have been waiting for days.
08:30 - A selection of bags filled with water and Harry and Meghan chocolate coins waiting for guests.
08:15 - His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex and Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex.
“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. Prince Harry thus becomes HRH The Duke of Sussex, and Ms. Meghan Markle on marriage will become HRH The Duchess of Sussex.”
More from The Telegraph:
'Prince Harry has been made the Duke of Sussex on his wedding day by his grandmother the Queen, Buckingham Palace has announced. Meghan Markle will become the Duchess of Sussex on marriage, the palace said. Harry was also given Scottish and Northern Irish titles, becoming the Earl of Dumbarton and Baron Kilkeel.'
Victoria Arbiter reports:
08:05 - The full Order of Service is available to download here. The Palace said: "Like any couple getting married, Prince Harry and Ms. Markle have taken a great deal of care in selecting all elements for their service. This has been a collaborative effort led by Prince Harry and Ms. Markle. They have also sought the advice of The Prince of Wales for the orchestral music before the Service begins."
'When Meghan Markle enters St George’s Chapel to begin the last steps in her journey to join the Royal family today, the state trumpeters will sound a fanfare that has accompanied its brides for generations.
Before long, as she says her vows to Prince Harry, that time-honoured tradition will give way to striking modernity, with the soaring voices of a gospel choir singing music from Ben E King and Etta James.
Saturday's Royal wedding ceremony, with each detail chosen by the couple, will blend the best-loved elements of British pageantry with a modern outlook that reflects the Prince and Ms Markle, in a service designed to capture the best of each of their heritage.
From the music of Sir Charles Hubert Parry and a reading from the Bible to a procession of a newlyweds accompanied by a rendition of This Little Light of Mine, their choices go to the heart of their relationship: English customs blended with an American influence, offset by an overriding message of joy.'
We can look forward to these vows later today.
The Order of Service confirms Prince Harry will wear a wedding ring.
07:45 - Good morning dear readers! Today's the day when Harry and Meghan will say "I do" in front of their nearest and dearest at St George's Chapel. Meghan's currently at Cliveden with her mother Doria. We have a very special and memorable day ahead.
