Two Days To Go! Read Up On All The Finishing Touches Of Meghan Markle And Prince Harry's Royal Nuptials
Royal wedding fever has reached an all-time high!
This weekend, the world will witness one of the British monarchy's most historic weddings: a bi-racial American actress, who has also been married in the past, will be tying the knot with one of its most eligible bachelors, a prince sixth in line to the throne.
READ: Here's Your Definitive Guide For Planning Your Very Own Royal Wedding Viewing Party
Meghan Markle is set to start her new life as a royal with her husband-to-be Prince Harry, beginning with her wedding at St. George's Chapel in London's gothic Windsor Castle on May 19. The springtime ceremony has been in the works since late last year when the couple announced their engagement in November.
As everyone continues to pay close attention to all the details of this fairytale come true, we round up all the latest updates on this affair to remember.
The seal of approval
Bearing The Queen's signature, the Instrument of Consent records Her Majesty's consent to the Marriage of Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle. #RoyalWedding
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) May 13, 2018
Find out more: https://t.co/KNUnxl0hUj pic.twitter.com/wsXTt4FzAn
While we all know that the Queen and the rest of the royal family had all taken to Meghan months before her wedding, the matriarch gave her official consent to this union through a royal document.
The hand-written Instrument of Consent, which will be given to the wedded couple after the ceremony, expresses the Queen's approval of the marriage. Best of all, it incorporates imagery symbolic of the union of two nations through this royal wedding.
As said in an official statement from the Palace:
"The design to the left of the text incorporates a red dragon, the heraldic symbol of Wales, together with the UK's floral emblems—the rose, thistle and shamrock. It also features Prince Harry's Label, including three tiny red escallops from the Spencer family Arms."
The design to the right of the text also includes the rose, as this is also the national flower of the United States. To either side of the rose are two golden poppies—this being the state flower of California, where Ms. Markle was born. Between the flowers is the Welsh leek, together with Prince Harry's Label. Beneath the Label are olive branches, adopted from the Great Seal of the United States."
The guests
While the official guest list will likely remain a secret until guests begin to arrive at Windsor Castle, it's been announced that some of Meghan's friends like tennis star Serena Williams and her Suits co-star Patrick J. Adams will definitely be there. Another Suits cast member, Gabriel Macht, has already touched down in London, suggesting that more of Meghan's small screen family will make it to the event.
READ: Why Did Meghan Markle's Dad Back Out Of Walking Her Down The Aisle At The Royal Wedding?
The (absence of a) honeymoon
This couple knows that being royal doesn't mean getting to go on a permanent vacation and that a lot of dedication is required in the role—occasions as important as honeymoons get affected, too!
Meghan and Prince Harry were originally set to spend some time in an exclusive wildlife resort in Namibia, but they'll have to reschedule. Their first official royal commitment as a married couple is on May 22, just three days after their wedding. They'll be at Prince Charles' 70th birthday that will be held at the Buckingham Palace gardens.
The caterer
For the third time, caterer Table Talk has been selected to prepare a sit-down menu for a royal affair. It was the group behind Prince William and Kate Middleton's 2011 wedding as well her sister Pippa's, and they'll be impressing discerning palates once more at Meghan and Prince Harry's reception.
The complete menu has yet to be revealed, but considering that Meghan is known to be health-conscious and a supporter of sustainable agriculture, royal specialists are betting that many dishes, if not all, will be made from locally sourced and fairly grown produce.
The bridesmaids and pageboys
Meghan has just announced the littlest members of the wedding entourage.
The bridesmaids—all of whom are children—are composed of six little girls including Princess Charlotte, Meghan's friend Jessica's daughter Ivy Mulroney, Prince Harry's goddaughters Florence van Cutsem and Zalie Warren, and two of Meghan's own goddaughters.
The handsome boys called to be pageboys are Prince George, Ivy's two older brothers Brian and John, and Prince Harry's godson Jasper Dyer.
The flowers
High society and London favorite florist Philippa Craddock has been chosen to decorate the ceremony, beautify the reception, and arrange the bride's bouquet, thanks to her expertise.
It's been reported that she'll be using strictly seasonal blooms to emphasize the wedding taking place in spring, and will present arrangements full of peonies—Meghan's favorite—and foxgloves, as well as branches of beech, birch, and hornbeam. White garden roses are also expected to make an appearance, as they were Princess Diana's favorite and one way that Meghan could pay tribute to her.
The carriage
At British royal weddings, newlyweds don't typically drive off into the sunset while waving back at their friends and family—at least not immediately.
Keeping to tradition, Meghan and Prince Harry are set to complete a two-mile procession through the Windsor grounds in an open-top Ascot Landau carriage. It's the same one that the prince used during his brother's wedding to Kate. The purpose of the procession is to allow the public to catch a glimpse of the Mr. and Mrs.
The souvenirs
Royal fanatics will be happy to know that they can come home with their very own commemorative items to immortalize this moment in history. The couple has already approved their wedding souvenirs, which come in the form of elegantly designed cornflower blue and white china.
The plates are designed with the couple's monogram and Prince Harry's coronet at the center, bordered with a design inspired by the 13th-century Gilebertus door at St. George's Chapel, and finished with 22-carat gold. A pillbox, tankard, and coffee mugs of two sizes will also be available.
The officiators
Meghan has also invited the Most Rev. Bishop Michael Curry, who hails from Chicago, to deliver the address at the wedding. He will be side by side with The Dean of Windsor, The Rt. Revd. David Conner who will be conducting the traditional ceremony and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who will preside over the couple as they exchange their vows.
The mix of English and American officiators was done on purpose with the intention of reflecting Meghan and the Prince Harry's "transatlantic" romance.
Photos from video FULL Interview: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle - BBC News on the BBC news YouTube channel
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