Everything We Know About Prince Harry And Meghan Markle's Wedding
It's official! Clarence House announced on Nov. 27, 2017, that Prince Harry is engaged to be married to actress Meghan Markle, his girlfriend of just over one year.
Naturally, given the hype and coverage of the last major royal wedding, everyone is dying to know what Harry and Markle's ceremony might look like. Here's what we know so far.
The rumors proved true
Although rumors of an engagement have persisted since basically the moment Harry and Markle got together, Clarence House confirmed that the happy couple actually got engaged in November 2017.
The exact date of the engagement was not revealed. But, um, who cares?! Because we just found out when they'll actually be tying the knot!
Well, almost, anyway ...
The wedding will be happening very soon
If Harry and Markle haven't started planning their wedding, they might want to get a jump on it. That's because, according to Buckingham Palace (via People), they'll be typing the knot in May 2018 at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. "Windsor is a very special place for Prince Harry, and he and Miss Markle have regularly spent time there during the last year," a spokesperson for Kensington Palace said, according to People. "They are delighted that the beautiful grounds of Windsor Castle will be where they begin their lives as a married couple."
Sure, May 2018 is not an exact date; however, it's certainly a lot more specific than the original statement from Clarence House, which simply stated that they would be marrying in Spring 2018.
Meanwhile, the news also cleared up speculation over whether Markle would actually be able to be married in the Church of England, as she is a divorcée. That used to be a big no-no in the Royal Family, as anyone who has seen the Netflix series The Crown will tell you. However, in recent years, the family has taken a decidedly more relaxed position on the matter. Westminster Abbey confirmed as much to Express in May 2017, telling the paper, "The Abbey follows the General Synod Ruling of 2002. Since then it has been possible for divorced people to be married in the Church of England."
Modern times, indeed!
Markle will be baptized
In addition to Markle's former marriage, many wondered whether religion would pose a problem for her and Harry's nuptials. (It's unclear what specifically her religion is, although various reports — like this one from CNN — have claimed she went to a Catholic high school.)
Well, whatever the case, the Royal Family has found a solution: according to Kensington Palace (via People), Markle will be baptized into the Church of England before their May 2018 ceremony.
How reverse-Charlotte York of her.
Her ring has a connection to Princess Diana
According to People, Markle's massive engagement ring includes a center stone from Botswana, where the couple vacationed in August 2017. The article adds that the ring, which Harry designed, also features two outside diamonds from his late mother Princess Diana's collection.
The report came just after Harry and Markle made their first public appearance together after news of their engagement, in the Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace. Per People, Harry revealed that the couple was "thrilled" to be engaged and that he knew she was the one he wanted to marry from "the very first time we met."
Awww.
Prince Harry got all the proper permission to marry
As one would expect from a dashing young prince, Clarence House confirmed that Harry "sought and received the blessing of" Markle's parents to ask for their daughter's hand in marriage.
As for Harry's family, the statement said that Harry had simply "informed Her Majesty The Queen and other close members of his family" of the happy news. Which is a curious choice of wording, considering that, per the Succession to the Crown Act of 2013, Harry is required to seek permission from the Queen to marry, as he is one of the first six in line to the throne.
Whatever the case, the Royal Family appears to be nothing but happy for Harry's big news. "The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh are delighted for the couple and wish them every happiness," a statement read on the family's official Twitter.
Added Prince William and Middleton (via Kensington Palace,) "We are very excited for Harry and Meghan. It has been wonderful getting to know Meghan and to see how happy she and Harry are together."
They'll be living in London
And now for news that will make every British tabloid happy: in its statement, Clarence House said Prince Harry and Markle will live in Nottingham Cottage inside Kensington Palace, which is where Harry currently resides.
Sound familiar? Well, per the Daily Mail, Nottingham Cottage was actually Prince William and Middleton's first home as husband and wife.
It's unclear if the Queen will attend
Now that Harry and Markle are officially engaged, people are beginning to wonder if the Queen–who is the head of the Church of England–will actually attend the ceremony because of Markle's divorcée status.
One can look at history for possible clues. The Queen famously chose not to attend her son Charles' 2005 ceremony, opting to host a reception instead, according to the BBC.
And yet, given all of the changes the Royal Family has made toward marriage in recent years, one wouldn't necessarily be surprised if the Queen shows up, especially when you consider how happy she sounded in her official statement.
Guess we'll have to wait this one out.
What will their titles be?
Another question on everybody's lips: what, if any, royal titles will Harry and Markle receive after they tie the knot? Though it's unclear if Harry will be granted a royal dukedom, sources for People claim he'll most likely be made the Duke of Sussex. As for Markle? That would make her the Duchess of Sussex.
Well, that's definitely better than "that actress from Suits."
She's going to become a UK citizen
According to Kensington Palace (via People), marrying Prince Harry means that Markle will begin the process of becoming a citizen of the United Kingdom after the two tie the knot.
Per the announcement, Markle will maintain her United States citizenship as she applies to become a citizen of the U.K. After that? The Palace says it is "too soon to say" whether she will maintain dual citizenship.
Fascinating, to say the least.