By Laura King and Christina Boyle
Los Angeles Times
WINDSOR, England — Prince Harry, sixth in line to the British throne, and American actress Meghan Markle exchanged marriage vows Saturday in a tradition-imbued ceremony that was seen by millions worldwide but filled with intimate moments, including the groom’s almost bashful-sounding aside as the bride arrived at the altar: “You look amazing.”
Huge crowds gathered under sunny skies outside Windsor Castle, and invited guests in frippery and finery filled St. George’s Chapel within the castle walls for the noontime royal wedding.
“I will,” both Harry and Meghan recited, smiling, as each was asked if they would wed the other. The audience greeted the vows with ripples of joyous laughter.
“Two young people fell in love, and we all showed up,” said Bishop Michael Curry, the African American head of the Episcopal Church, in a rousing address that invoked the biblical Solomon and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
In another departure from tradition, his remarks were followed by a gospel rendition of the Ben E. King song “Stand by Me.”
On the eve of the wedding, Harry had emerged from behind the thick stone walls of the castle on Friday to greet well-wishers clustered outside. It was an unconventional gesture — but by royal standards, it’s an unconventional match.
The prince married an American divorcee who’s had a successful TV acting career. She’s even slightly older: 36 to his 33. The two met on a blind date set up by a mutual friend, conducted an under-the-radar romance and announced their engagement last year.
“Great, thank you!” a smiling Harry answered when an onlooker asked how he felt, giving a thumbs-up. He was flanked by his elder brother and best man, Prince William.
Tens of thousands of spectators, many having traveled from far-flung parts of the world, flooded into Windsor on Saturday for a spectacle that was part Old England and part Hollywood. The guest list included royal relatives, friends of the bride from her TV legal drama, “Suits,” and army buddies of Harry, who served in Afghanistan.
Many of the female wedding guests wore elaborate headgear, fanciful concoctions of felt, tulle and netting. The crowd cheered the arrival of George and Amal Clooney, the actor dapper in a light-gray suit and his human rights lawyer wife in brilliant canary yellow. Soccer star David Beckham, in a morning coat, stopped to let a fan snap a photo, while his fashion-designer wife Victoria Beckham wore a severely chic dark-navy ensemble.
Among others seen entering: tennis star Serena Williams, comedian and TV host James Corden, TV producer Julia Carey; actor Idris Elba, plus Elton John and Oprah Winfrey and the large “Suits” contingent.
About 20 minutes before the scheduled start of the ceremony, the groom arrived at the chapel, accompanied by his best man and elder brother, Prince William. Each was dressed in the dark blue frock-coat military uniform of the Blues and Royals, a cavalry regiment.
The brothers waved to a crowd of some 2,000 well-wishers who were invited onto the grounds of the castle before ascending the steps of the chapel together.
In the crowd outside the castle, spectators donned regalia of their own: paper crowns and plastic tiaras, Union Jacks deployed as capes, even a sprinkling of wedding dresses.
One woman who was dressed as a bride displayed a placard that read: “Harry, I’m Here,” while her bridal-clad friends’ signs read “And So Am I” and “And Me Too.”
In Windsor, about 24 miles west of London, the Union Jacks were flying, security barriers were up and police patrols were constantly in view. Some fans had already camped out for days.
After the ceremony at St. George’s Chapel within the castle walls, the newlyweds are to ride a royal carriage on a circuit through the streets of Windsor to greet the public.
When wedding details were still emerging Friday, the biggest news was that the bride would be walked down the aisle by Prince Charles, her father-in-law-to-be.
Markle’s 73-year-old father, Thomas Markle, a former Hollywood lighting director who now lives in Mexico, dropped out amid health concerns and controversy over staged paparazzi-style photos.
In another departure from tradition, Meghan Markle was to be escorted to the castle by car with her mother, Doria Ragland. The two were spending the night at a hotel near the venue.
One longstanding question was answered Saturday: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be known, post-wedding, as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
The dukedom was conferred on Harry by his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. Harry’s full title is a bit of a mouthful: Duke of Sussex, Earl of Dumbarton and Baron Kilkeel, the latter two used in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
When brother William married Kate Middleton in 2011, the queen also bestowed a dukedom on him. They are known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
The day’s events were expected to draw a worldwide television audience of tens of millions, together with the throngs camped out in hopes of catching a glimpse of the couple. British media for weeks have been breathlessly following every detail about the festivities — the guest list, the dress, the flowers, the cake.
Prince Charles’ stand-in role was at the request of his future daughter-in-law, and Kensington Palace said the heir to the throne “is pleased to be able to welcome Ms. Markle to the royal family in this way.”
Security was tight. Authorities are employing scanners, bag inspections, sniffer dogs and barriers blocking off nearby roadways and the procession route.
Even confetti-throwing is being discouraged as a potential risk. Plus, police pointed out, it’s messy.
The queen, who is 92, had long been expected to attend, and on Friday, Buckingham Palace announced that her 96-year-old husband, Prince Philip, would attend as well. Ill health had kept Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, largely out of the public eye.
Ragland met the queen for the first time on Friday at Windsor Castle. They had tea.
The Church of England ceremony was performed by the archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. Markle converted to the Anglican church after she and Harry became engaged.
