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Royal wedding: full breakdown of the ceremony

Everything you need to know

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What security measures will be in place?

The security measures that will be in place for Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding is said to be “amongst the largest in Thames Valley Police’s history,” with up to 100,000 people expected on the streets.

It’s been reported a £30m ring of steel clamps down around the town of Windsor ahead of the wedding.

According to The Sun, officers have been given orders to “do whatever necessary” to ensure the wedding is pulled off.

The publication reports armed police, undercover officers and security barriers will be ensuring the safety of the guests as well as the members of public who are attending.

(Photo by Paul Hackett - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Around 100,000 people will be on the streets to see the wedding of Harry and Meghan (Photo by Paul Hackett – WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Read more: LIVE BLOG: All the latest from the Royal Wedding

BBC previously reported that items police deem a “security risk,” including tents, will be banned in Windsor leading up to the wedding.

According to the BBC, “automatic number plate recognition technology, CCTV and hostile vehicle mitigation barriers” will be put in place.

Shops and buildings will be searched in the days leading up to the wedding and trains will be stopped from calling at Windsor station if the number of people in the town causes a “public safety risk.”

(Photo by Geoff Pugh - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Security is already being put in place in Windsor ahead of the wedding (Photo by Geoff Pugh – WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Several other forces, including British Transport Police, the Met and Surrey police and the Army, will also be involved in the operation.

Thames Valley Police said in the week leading up to the wedding: “Recently we have had a lot of officers in Windsor doing subterranean searches – checking drains, manhole covers, street furniture, lampposts, bins.

“Mainly operating in the areas where people are going to be.”

Where will the carriage parade be?

After their ceremony at St George’s Chapel, Harry and Meghan will embark on a two-mile parade through the grounds of Windsor Castle.

The route will see the newlyweds tour through Windsor’s historical streets, allowing the public to catch a glimpse at the couple and share the special day with them.

At 1pm on the big day, Harry and Meghan, now married, will travel from St George’s Chapel through Windsor Town before returning to Windsor Castle along the Long Walk.

According to a statement released by Kensington Palace in February, the couple hope the carriage procession will “provide the opportunity for more people to come together around Windsor and to enjoy the atmosphere of this special day.”

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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their carriage parade in 2011 (Credit: Wenn)

What will Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s titles be?

Meghan and Harry’s titles have been confirmed, with the Prince’s effective immediately and his bride’s once they have exchanged their vows today.

The statement reads: “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 His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex, and Ms. Meghan Markle on marriage will become Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex.

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Meghan won’t be a princess after she marries Harry (Credit: Wenn)

What will the wedding rings be like?

Meghan’s wedding ring could be made of Welsh gold because that’s been a tradition the royal family have held since 1923.

It’s been rumoured that Harry will go against royal tradition and wear a wedding ring.

His brother Prince William chose not to wear one while his father Prince Charles wears a gold band.

Who will conduct Harry and Meghan’s wedding?

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding ceremony will be conducted by the Dean of Windsor David Conner.

The service will begin at 12pm and will end around an hour later.

(Photo by Chris Jackson-WPA Pool/Getty Images)
The Dean of Windsor with the Queen (Photo by Chris Jackson-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Will there be a special reference to Princess Diana?

There’s no doubt Prince Harry will ensure his late mother Princess Diana’s memory plays a part in his wedding.

One way the couple is reportedly paying tribute to Diana is with Meghan’s wedding bouquet, which will apparently be made up of white garden roses.

The choice of flower is sentimental because white garden roses were one of Diana’s favourite flowers.

In 2017, to honour the 20th anniversary of her death, a temporary garden was opened at Kensington Palace called the “White Garden,” which included a large assortment of white roses.

Royal experts have also suggested Meghan and Harry might select one of Diana’s favourite hymns for the wedding ceremony.

Expert Richard Fitzwilliams told the Express: “There will undoubtedly be an aspect or aspects of the wedding service that will link with Diana, perhaps by including one of her favorite hymns, I Vow to Thee My Country, which was sung at her funeral.”

What will the flowers be like and who is designing them?

Prince Harry and Meghan have chosen London based florist Philippa Craddock to design and create the church flowers for their wedding.

Kensington Palace announced that Philippa will “direct a team, including florists from St George’s Chapel and Buckingham Palace” to create displays at St George’s Chapel for the ceremony and at St George’s Hall for the reception.

It’s not clear what colour scheme the couple have decided to go for, but the designs will feature white garden roses, peonies and foxgloves, along with branches of beech, birch and hornbeam.

Peonies are believed to be one of Markle’s favourite flowers.

Flowers and plants that are in season and blooming naturally in May will also be used.

Speaking about having the opportunity to design the royal couple’s flowers, Craddock said: “I am excited and honoured to have been chosen by Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle to design and create their wedding flowers.”

She said the final designs will “represent them as a couple.”

What will the music be like during the ceremony?

There will be a variety of musicians, choral groups and soloists performing at Harry and Meghan’s ceremony.

According to Kensington Palace, Harry and Meghan have “taken a great deal of interest and care in choosing the music for their service” and it will include several “well-known hymns and choral works.”

The music will be under the direction of James Vivian, Director of Music at St George’s Chapel.

The Choir of St George’s Chapel

Conducted by James Vivian, the Choir consists of up to 23 boy choristers from St George’s School and 12 adult singers singing alto, tenor and bass.

Sheku Kanneh-Mason

Sheku Kanneh-Mason is a 19-year-old cellist who won BBC Young Musician in 2016.

He is a student at the Royal Academy of Music and released his debut album, Inspiration, in 2018.

“I’m so excited and honoured to perform at Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle’s wedding,” Sheku said. “I was bowled over when Ms. Markle called me to ask if I would play during the ceremony, and of course I immediately said yes!”

In June 2017, Harry saw Sheku play at an event in London in support of the work of Antiguan charity the Halo Foundation.

Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir

The Kingdom Choir is a Christian gospel group made up of 20 singers based in South-East of England.

The Choir was founded by conductor Karen Gisbon and the singers have been performing nationally and internationally for over two decades.

Speaking about being given the opportunity to perform at the couple’s nuptials, Karen said: “The Kingdom Choir is truly honoured to be invited to sing at the wedding and very excited to be taking part in such a historic moment.

“It will be a moment that we will always treasure.”

The final musicians preparing to perform at the wedding is members of an Orchestra. It will be conducted by Christopher Warren-Green and will be made up of musicians from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the English Chamber Orchestra and the Philharmonia.

Welsh soprano Elin Manahan Thomas will join the orchestra along with David Blackadder, who will play the trumpet, Luke Bond, who will play the Organ, and State Trumpeters drawn from all ranks of the Band of the Household Cavalary.

Who will be the wedding photographer?

Harry and Meghan have chosen Alexi Lubomirski as their wedding photographer.

Lubomirski, who photographed the couple for their engagement photos, will be at Windsor Castle in May to take the official wedding shots, Kensington Palace announced.

(Photo by PA via Getty Images)
Alexi Lubomirski has been named the official wedding photographer (Photo by PA via Getty Images)

Read more: 2018 Royal Wedding Guide

Expressing his delight, Alexi said in a statement: “I could not be more thrilled or honoured to photograph this historic occasion.”

During his photography career, Alexi has photographed the likes of Beyoncé, Gwyneth Paltrow, Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman and Scarlett Johansson.


Rebecca Carter
Associate Editor (News)

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