OK, admit it. You are going to get up at 4:30 along with millions and millions of others who say in public that they really don’t care, but secretly will grab a cup of coffee, put on a tiara, and watch as American Meghan Markle marries Britain’s Prince Harry. I for one say it publicly and privately, I will be watching! I believe we can all benefit from a bit of dreaming and escapism with all the bloody drama across the globe. Weddings are all about new beginnings and there are few things better than to be a witness to two people in love committing themselves to each other. I have always had a soft spot for Harry, and am delighted that he has found someone that makes him so joyful. Besides, I love fashion and I will share a few guesses about her gown. So how about some background and details leading up to the big day.
Prince Harry and Meghan presently live in Nottingham Cottage, which although small, suited Harry just fine as a bachelor pad. After the wedding they will move to Apartment 1 of Kensington Palace. They are essentially right next door to Apartment 1A, where Prince William and Katherine now reside. Harry and Meghan’s new home has been under renovation since this fall. All these Kensington Palace homes reside next to London’s Hyde Park. source
photo by Leonid Andronov/Shutterstock. Every garden I have visited in England were tranquil, beautiful and incredibly well thought out for bloom during all seasons.
In addition, apparently the Queen will gift them with a country home, York Cottage, on the Sandringham estate. She also gifted another one of the 150 buildings on the property to William and Katherine for their wedding, referred to as Amner Hall. Harry and Meghan have also requested in lieu of traditional wedding gifts that guests consider donating to seven of their favorite broad ranging charities.
York Cottage (Image credit: The Giant Puffin/Wikimedia Commons under CC BY-SA 3.0) source
Before their engagement, Meghan lived in Toronto in a house with a decidedly modern esthetic. She has a wonderful sense of style and I suspect that her new home(s) in England will reflect that, whether traditional or more modern leaning decor. Below are a couple of rooms in the house now on the market for $1.395 million. It has 3 bedrooms, full finished basement and a tiny yard. Below are a few photos of her former abode. source
This photo from her now deleted Instagram account.
Here she is with Bogart and the Beagle named Guy. Bogart is with friends and Guy is already in England. She accidentally ran into Ellen at the shelter and she told Meghan that she must take that dog home! She had never met Ellen. According to Harry, for his entire life he endured the Queen’s Corgi’s and their incessant barking, but when Maghen walked in it was to the sound of silence, which I am sure made a huge impression on the dog and horse loving Queen. source
And then Harry met Meghan and they fell in love, under the stars in Botswana, in Toronto and London. He asked her mother for permission to propose, and then we see them officially together. I like that they kept their romance as private as possible, and have tried to keep the press at bay, even with the wedding, releasing only a trickle of details.
I thought the photographer captured this couple perfectly for their official engagement photos.
In this photo released by Kensington Palace on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017, Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pose for one of two official engagement photos, at Frogmore House, in Windsor, England. (Alexi Lubomirski via AP). Diana’s sapphire and diamond ring was left to Harry, but he gave it to his brother to give to Katherine. Meghan’s ring was designed by Prince Harry, with the cushion shaped center stone ethically sourced from Botswana, a very special place for Harry and Meghan, and the two side stones from Diana’s collection, placed on a simple gold band. Prince Harry refers to Botswana as a second home for him. His father took both his sons there after Diana died. Harry has returned there multiple times and he says he has an “intense sense of relaxation and normality there.” He took Meghan there for her birthday as well. source
They were introduced my a mutual socialite friend in London, where Meghan often traveled. Meghan wore a 2016 Couture Ralph & Russo gown, which I thought looked lovely on her. source
The photographer who took the official engagement photos is Alexi Lubomirski. The couple was so happy with the engagement photos that they commissioned him to photograph their wedding day. Lubomirski was born in England, lived much of his childhood in Botswana. He is actually a quite handsome Polish Prince, but alas in title only. He now lives in NY and photographs fashion and celebrities. One of Markle’s friends after viewing his Instagram account, noticed he was in England and said to her that she should meet him, and that is how his appointments came to be. source
You can view his Instagram account here.
The wedding will take place in St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. It seats about 800 people, far more intimate than Westminster Abby. Two choirs will partake in the ceremony, The St George’s Childrens choir, and gospel stars The Kingdom Choir. There will be an orchestra, Welsh soprano Elon Manahan Thomas, trumpeter David Blackadder and young cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason of Britain’s Got talent fame. The music is diverse and I bet it will be amazing. Rumors are that the Spice Girls, maybe Elton John, will perform at the receptions. source
Aerial view of Windsor Castle. Windsor is the Queen’s favorite castle. The Chapel of St. George is on the left side.
View of the Long Walk leading up to the castle, which is west of London, about 20 miles. It is like a fairy tale. So much history!
St George’s Chapel where 600 guest will watch the ceremony. And 2600 hand picked guests will watch outside the chapel. The town of Windsor is expecting 100,000 to visit for the nuptials. For a town of 32,000, that’s a lot of additional people.
St George’s Chapel. The aisles will be decorated with branches of beech, birch, hornbeam, white garden roses, peonies and foxgloves. Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles were married here as well, as was his brother Edward. Prince Harry was also christened here in 1984. The chapel was completed in 1528 and has been the witness to many royal rituals. After the wedding they will first take a carriage ride through Windsor town, and then head back for the first reception for the wedding guests.
This is St George’s Hall and is where Prince Harry and Meghan will hold the first reception. (Photo: Dominic Lipinski/AFP/Getty Images).
Prince Charles and Camilla will host a sit down dinner for 200 at Frogmore House about a half mile south of Windsor Castle and built in the 17th century. It holds the mausoleum where Queen Victoria and Prince Albert are buried. What a love story they had. As well, Harry and Meghan posed for their engagement photos here as well. There is a tea house, breathtaking gardens with lakes, glades and bridges. (Photo: Ray Bellisario/Popperfoto/Getty Images) source
My, how one’s life can change in an instant. Here Meghan is on August of 2016 serving as a bridesmaid for her friend Lindsay Roth. Little did she know her own real life Prince would come into her life. source
We have already seen Meghan in the requisite hats required for attending many various events. She wears them well, and that cannot be said for many women.
photo by Toby Melville/Getty Images here
I love hats and wish it were more popular here. Where I live in the hot and humid south, it is rarely practical, but they can add so much elegance and personality to an outfit. source
Will she wear her hair up or down? I am betting down, although that can depend on the gown, the neckline and whether she wears a jeweled crown.
And I expect that whatever gown she decides to wear on their special day will look beautiful on her. I am betting that Harry will wear a military uniform. He served in the Army for 10 years and in Afghanistan for two tours, and the regiments he served with will be represented in the parade, and he does look handsome in his uniform. Below is the gown she wore for her marriage on the TV show Suits, and where she wore her hair up. They pay these TV costume directors to get it right, and I think they missed the mark on this choice. This is an Anne Barge Versailles gown, and while lovely, it did not flatter her at all. I have never watched the program Suits, but guess I might just to see the gown.
She has stated that her all time favorite celebrity gown was the elegant and sophisticated gown that Carolyn Bessette- Kennedy wore for her wedding. I also loved that gown. In an interview she described her ideal as classic, simple, relaxed and with a modern twist. source She also used the words whimsical and subtly romantic.She also stated that the gown she wore as Rachel on Suits was not her personal style, thank goodness!
This minimalist gown was by Narciso Rodriguez, who at the time was a little known designer. Meghan likes designers Elie Saab, J. Mendel, French designers Delphine, and Roland Mouret a friend of Markle’s. Jenny Packham and Ralph and Russo, or maybe she will have chosen Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen as a repeat. It’s a toss up and the fun is in guessing. source
Here are a few silhouettes that I think might look nice on Meghan, combining what she says she likes with a tiny bit of tradition. Only a couple of the below are couture, but presented simply as ideas.
Amaya Crepe A-Line by Pronovias Add a crown longer train, maybe half sleeves just above the elbow or 3/4, or even sheer long sleeves and pretty indeed. I can totally see her in this style. For tradition, a bit of lace to the veil. source
Also by Pronovias, Eol Beaded String Back Mermaid Gown with a beaded back.
Willowby Galatea Embroidered Tulle Ballgown. This wouldn’t work for this wedding, but this would look sweet on her if this were just a simple garden wedding. source
.add some half or 3/4 sleeves to this Valeria Open Back Crepe Mermaid Gown ATELIER PRONOVIAS source
This has a lace top, and you never know if she goes with some lace. When you start to view the possibilities you might just fall in love with a style you had no idea you would, so even though the experts are saying she won’t wear a traditional gown like Kate did, this one has the best of both modern and traditional. Rosa Clara Couture Nilo Long Sleeve A-line. source
Whatever dress she has decided on, Harry does not want to see it beforehand, “tradition” he remarked. The Queen, who most likely will offer the same support to Meghan as she did with Katherine, will see the gown before the wedding. ‘The Queen is very close to Harry and she knows better than anyone just what a huge challenge and ordeal this will be for Meghan,’ Larcome added. ‘The Queen and Kate Middleton spoke regularly in the run up to the 2011 wedding and there is no doubt Meghan will have done the same.’ source
There is a very interesting editorial in the LA Times by Carla Hall about Markle and what she will exchange/give up for a life as a royal. I think both she and Harry will continue to surprise Britain in more ways however, as they have already shown in their unconventional and unlikely romance. You can read it here
After the wedding what will their titles be, or how will they be introduced in public? Read all about it here in this short summation here.
Wee Prince George and Princess Charlotte will be part of the 10 child wedding party. They will join godchildren of both Harry and Meghan as well as children of their best friends. We will have to wait until the day of the wedding to see what they will wear. Ten wee ones will be high on the cuteness meter. More details source
Unfortunately Meghan’s father will not attend the wedding. It was confirmed by a statement released through Kensington Palace. The press is partly responsible, and knowing William and Harry’s tense relationship with the press, you could hope that they would have left the parents alone. I feel sad for her though. He had heart surgery and I know she wishes him to be healthy again. Yet, in this modern age, this traditional approach to the aisle walk is changing, and a woman does not need to be given away, so perhaps she will walk alone, or will Charles walk her down, or her Mom? Details on the latest here.
And today there were rehearsals…..ready, set, go. It looks like the weather will be gorgeous as well.
Royal visit to Edinburgh. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle walk through the corridors of the Palace of Holyroodhouse on their way to a reception for young people at the Palace, in Edinburgh, during their visit to Scotland. Picture date: Tuesday January 23, 2018. See PA story ROYAL Harry. Photo credit should read: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire URN:34951137
Wedding coverage: to join the expected 3 billion people planning to join in, see viewing schedules here
If you want to know more details, like the kind of cake, flowers, and more, you can read all about it here in USA TODAY
To watch a BBC interview with them both done right after their engagement, you can watch here. Lovely insight into their relationship. I believe they will both make the world a better place.
UPDATE: Prince Charles will be walking Meghan down the aisle. How will Prince Harry keep it all together? Also, even though he had a hip replacement in April, Harry’s beloved Grandfather will attend the ceremony. Meghan’s only relative attending will bw her mother. It appears that the Royal family has embraced this lovely woman as they welcome her into the family.
This took some time to research, but it was an enjoyable post to write. I learned a lot more of history along the way, so it was well worth it. Thanks for stopping by and now I need to set my alarm to watch the wedding of an American and a British Prince. laters, charisse
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Charisse I wish I’d trade this BEFORE the wedding; what a wonderful piece, chock full of effort and details and great, great background. Hoping the fairy take never ends for them….thank you!!
I hope it never ends for them as well. I just feel it deep down, that together, they will achieve wonderful things. The world needs them.
I appreciate all the time you spent researching for this post. Very educational and entertaining.
Thank you Cher. It was so enjoyable for me to do. There was so much more I would have liked to include, but eventually you have to just limit photos. She and Harry look so incredibly happy together.
Love this!!!!! I am such a Downton Abbey fan and very excited about this wedding. Not because I idolize the Royals, I just love to see how the rich and famous live! No doubt I will have tea and biscotti or scones on hand. In 2011, I enjoyed William and Kate’s special day as well. So much beauty!
I have been watching the series, “Victoria” and Shannon got me started on “ The Crown.”
Great history lessons.
Thx Charisse. Beautiful blog!!
Victoria
I will have to tune in to Victoria and The Crown. I am always late watching these, but they have certainly received good reviews. Thanks!