It’s undeniable that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s 2018 wedding was a grand event. St. George’s Chapel at Windsor was filled with celebrities and distinguished guests, despite the drama leading up to the ceremony.
Reportedly, Meghan and Kate Middleton had a disagreement – and even tears were shed – over Princess Charlotte’s dress. In his memoir “Spare”, Harry revealed that after the honeymoon, tensions between Meghan and his sister-in-law escalated as they attempted to resolve their differences.
Recently, even more surprising claims have surfaced, suggesting that if Prince William had chosen the wedding location, it would have been somewhere entirely different. In “Spare”, Harry made a startling accusation, stating that his brother preferred Harry and Meghan to wed far from the grand castles and churches typically expected for such occasions.
After much deliberation, the royals ultimately chose St. George’s Chapel at Windsor for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding. On May 19, 2018, the ceremony took place, and from the outside, it appeared to be the perfect union, echoing the grandeur of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding seven years prior.
Both weddings captured the attention of millions, with people worldwide celebrating the respective unions. However, William and Kate’s wedding held more significance for the monarchy, as it marked the future king marrying his future queen.
Despite the similarities in public spectacle, the two ceremonies had distinct differences. William and Kate’s wedding was formal and solemn, with few lighthearted moments, while Harry and Meghan’s event was more relaxed, featuring personal touches like gospel music.
In his memoir “Spare”, Harry reflected on his wedding day, vividly recalling the moment he stood at the altar, waiting for Meghan.
“I stood at the altar, smoothed the front of my Household Cavalry uniform, watched Meg floating towards me,” Harry recalled. “I’d worked hard to choose the right music for her procession, and ultimately I’d landed on Handel’s ‘Eternal Source of Light Divine’. Now, as the soloist’s voice rang out above our heads, I thought I’d chosen well. Indeed, as Meg came nearer and nearer, I was giving thanks for all my choices.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had a secret about their wedding that the public didn’t know. While millions around the world watched their grand ceremony at St. George’s Chapel, a significant detail remained hidden from royal fans.
Royal expert Andrew Morton, author of “Diana: Her True Story”, questioned the celebrity-filled guest list, noting that Meghan had invited several high-profile Hollywood figures who had publicly supported her. Morton even pointed out that Meghan likely hadn’t met Oprah Winfrey before the wedding and wasn’t sure if Harry had either. Yet, these stars were included, forming what Morton described as “her own court.”
Despite the fairytale appearance of their public vows, Harry and Meghan later revealed in their now-famous interview with Oprah Winfrey that their real wedding had taken place three days earlier. In what many consider the moment that sparked their ongoing public feud with the Royal Family, the couple shared that they had exchanged private vows in their garden. Only the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, was present, making it an intimate and personal moment, far from the royal spectacle the world had seen.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry envisioned their wedding as a deeply personal occasion, separate from the grand royal ceremonies the world had come to expect. In their revealing interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan shared a significant detail that many were unaware of: just days before their elaborate ceremony at St. George’s Chapel, they reached out to the Archbishop of Canterbury. They expressed their desire for a more intimate celebration, emphasizing that while the public event was for the world to see, they wanted their union to be a private affair.
This desire for intimacy culminated in a small ceremony held in their garden, attended only by the Archbishop. For Meghan and Harry, this private moment was where the essence of their vows truly lay, far removed from the pressures of royal expectations. They framed their vows in their home, a reminder of the love they shared in that secluded space.
Following the interview, the Archbishop clarified the timeline of events, stating that the legal wedding occurred during the official ceremony and that he had signed the marriage certificate then. He asserted that signing it falsely would have been a serious offense, thereby confirming the legitimacy of their public ceremony.
In his memoir, Harry reflected on that intimate gathering in their garden. He described how the Archbishop spoke the words that officially made them the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, even though he had already performed a similar ceremony for them in private. With only their dogs, Guy and Pula, as witnesses, they exchanged vows that felt more meaningful because of their secluded setting.
While they appreciated the love and support from those present at St. George’s and the millions watching on television, Harry acknowledged that their love story began in private. The pressures of being in the public eye had often caused them pain, and they sought solace in the intimate exchange of vows that marked the true beginning of their life together. In that quiet moment, far from the world’s gaze, they celebrated the love that would carry them through the challenges ahead.