The biggest event of the year, the royal wedding, has finally arrived.
Thousands of people have descended on Windsor to be part of the festivities and celebrate with the couple.
Follow our live blog here.
4.06pm: Sir Elton John performed at the lunchtime reception for guests celebrating Harry and Meghan’s wedding, Kensington Palace said.
3.28pm: After the ceremony, the estimated 100,000-strong crowd began to head for the railway station, causing long queues.
Repeated loudspeaker announcements warned well-wishers that the Cambridge Gate and the route to the station was very congested and urged: “Take your time.”
Attendees were asked to take the longer route to the station by walking the length of the Long Walk away from the castle.
Many families opted to enjoy the afternoon on the grass while the crowds departed, while hundreds of litter pickers set to work cleaning up any mess.
2.20pm: Meghan will make a speech at her wedding reception, Kensington Palace has said. The royal bride is one of three people to speak at the lunchtime reception. The others are her new husband, Prince Harry, and the Prince of Wales.
The Duke of Cambridge, Harry’s best man, will act as compere.
2.15pm: Kensington Palace shared a picture of Harry and Meghan’s wedding case on Twitter, showing it covered in “150 fresh flowers, mainly British, and in season, including peonies and roses”.
The wedding cake is to be served at the Reception. It was designed by Claire Ptak and features elderflower syrup made at The Queen’s residence in Sandringham from the estate’s own elderflower trees, as well as a light sponge cake uniquely formulated for the couple. #royalwedding pic.twitter.com/kt5lE4tEn9
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 19, 2018
A filling made from Amalfi lemon curd and elderflower buttercream ties all the elements together.
2.08pm: The Queen will host a lunchtime reception at St George’s Hall for around 600 guests drawn from the wedding service congregation.
Guests will be served a selection of canapés, including:
- Scottish Langoustines wrapped in Smoked Salmon with Citrus Crème Fraiche
- Grilled English Asparagus wrapped in Cumbrian Ham
- Garden Pea Panna Cotta with Quail Eggs and Lemon Verbena
- Heritage Tomato and Basil Tartare with Balsamic Pearls
- Poached Free Range Chicken bound in a Lightly Spiced Yoghurt with Roasted Apricot
- Croquette of Confit Windsor Lamb, Roasted Vegetables and Shallot Jam
- Warm Asparagus Spears with Mozzarella and Sun-Blush Tomatoes
Guests will also be served a selection of bowl food, including:
- Fricassee of Free Range Chicken with Morel Mushrooms and Young Leeks
- Pea and Mint Risotto with Pea Shoots, Truffle Oil and Parmesan Crisps
- Ten Hour Slow Roasted Windsor Pork Belly with Apple Compote and Crackling
Sweet canapés will also be served, including:
- Champagne and Pistachio Macaroons
- Orange Crème Brûlée Tartlets
- Miniature Rhubarb Crumble Tartlets
1.43pm: Just after 1.30pm, the carriage returned to Windsor Castle, disappearing under an arch within the grounds. The couple’s guests could also be seen arriving for the reception.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive back at Windsor Castle following their Carriage Procession around Windsor. #RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/FF41eUBo7g
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) May 19, 2018
1.31pm: Prince Harry and Ms Markle are met with great enthusiasm by the crowds as the procession makes its way through the streets of Windsor.
The pair smiled and waved to well-wishers during the journey in the lunchtime sunshine.
1.13pm: The new Duke and Duchess of Sussex are now off on their 25-minute journey through the streets of Windsor in an Ascot Landau carriage.
Afterwards they will return to the castle for the lunchtime reception hosted by the Queen.
1.06pm: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have their first kiss as a married couple on the steps of St George’s Chapel.
1.05pm: Just as Harry and Meghan were officially married, the horse-drawn carriage in which they will depart from St George’s Chapel was brought into Horseshoe Cloister.
As the couple emerge from the building, the crowd erupts into cheers.
12.54pm: The wedding register is being signed. Meanwhile cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason is playing for the guests.
12.50pm: The congregation stand to sing Bread of Heaven.
12.40pm: It’s official – they’re married!
The Archbishop of Canterbury joins the couple’s right hands together and proclaims them husband and wife #RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/4SQJdVQKB1
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 19, 2018
12.39pm: Prince Harry places the wedding ring on Meghan’s finger and, holding it there, says: “I give you this ring as a sign of our marriage. With my body I honour you, all that I am I give to you, and all that I have I share with you, within the love of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”
Meghan does the same.
12.36pm: The Archbishop is leading the vows.
The groom says: “I Harry, take you, Meghan, to be my wife, to have and to hold from, this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part; according to God’s holy law. In the presence of God I make this vow.”
Now it’s Meghan’s turn. She says: “”I Meghan, take you, Harry, to be my husband, to have and to hold , from this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part; according to God’s holy law. In the presence of God I make this vow.”
12:32pm: The Kingdom Choir sing Ben E King’s soul classic Stand By Me.
Karen Gibson and @TheKingdomChoir sing “Stand by me” from the West End of the Chapel #RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/4V1avJlY3K
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 19, 2018
12:19pm: Most Rev Bishop Michael Curry, the 27th presiding bishop and primate of the Episcopal Church, gives a moving and passionate address.
He says: “There’s power in love. Love can help and heal when nothing else can. There’s power in love to lift up and liberate when nothing else will.”
Such power could be seen in the service, he continued, saying: “Two young people fell in love and we all showed up.”
12.15pm: Princess Diana’s sister, Lady Jane Fellowes, gives a reading from the Song of Solomon.
12.13pm: Time for the vows. “I will” says Harry, which prompts laughter.
The couple seem relaxed and happy, as the Archbishop asks Meghan the same, and she responds: “I will.”
12.11pm: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are holding hands as the wedding ceremony begins.
At the High Altar, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, is now beginning the declarations.
12.05pm: Meghan’s tiara is Queen Mary’s Diamond Bandeau, which has been loaned to her by the Queen.
It was specifically made for the Queen’s grandmother Queen Mary in 1932 to accommodate the detachable brooch, which was given to Mary as a wedding present in 1893 by the County of Lincoln.
12.03pm: Meghan Markle walks up the aisle and exchanges smiles and a few words with Harry.
As Harry greeted his bride at the alter he said: “You look amazing.”
At the High Altar, The Dean of Windsor greets the congregation and reads the Preface #RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/UaTvISpygm
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 19, 2018
12.01pm: As Meghan arrives, she was followed by three cars carrying page boys, bridesmaids and their mothers: the Duchess of Cambridge, Jessica Mulroney and Benita Litt.
12pm: The bride is here and she looks beautiful. Her dress has been designed by acclaimed British designer, Clare Waight Keller.
Ms. Meghan Markle’s wedding dress has been designed by the
acclaimed British designer, Clare Waight Keller. Ms. Waight Keller last year
became the first female Artistic Director at the historic French fashion house Givenchy.— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 19, 2018
Ms. Meghan Markle arrives at St George’s Chapel #RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/Hj79je8glV
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 19, 2018
11.58am: The Queen has arrived, wearing a lime-green outfit and matching hat designed by Stewart Parvin.
11.54am: Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall are the latest to arrive, with Camilla dressed in pink.
11.52am: Doria Ragland has now entered the chapel.
11.45am: As Prince Harry and the Duke of Cambridge arrive at the venue, they are greeted by the Dean of Windsor.
11.39am: Royal fans line the Long Walk to Windsor in anticipation.
11.34am: The groom arrives with his best man – Prince William.
They are greeted with a cheer as they step out the car.
Both Harry and the Duke of Cambridge are wearing the frockcoat uniform of the Blues and Royals.
The Queen gave her permission for her grandson to get married in his uniform, Kensington Palace said.
Both uniforms were tailored at Dege & Skinner on Savile Row.
The frockcoat is made from blue doeskin. It is single-breasted in style with a stand-up collar, complete with figured braiding of regimental pattern.
The uniform was cut and made by hand. The sleeve pattern is intricate in detail and took one person one week to complete.
11.27am: Mike Tindall and Zara Phillips have arrived at St George’s Chapel, as have the Princess Royal, the Countess of Wessex, and princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
11.25am: We are given a peek inside the chapel.
11.20am: Megan looks happy and relaxed with her mother, Doria Ragland, as she waves to onlookers.
We catch a glimpse of a white veil and a white dress with boat neck.
11.19am: The bride-to-be begins her journey from Cliveden House Hotel in a vintage Rolls-Royce Phantom IV to travel to Windsor Castle.
11.01am: Musician Joss Stone arrives.
10:59am: Presenter James Corden and wife Julia Carey arrive.
10.56am: Tennis star Serena Williams has posted pictures on social media of her preparations alongside husband and entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian, writing: “Officially ready for my friend’s wedding.”
Ready for my friend’s wedding. #beingserena @alexisohanian pic.twitter.com/PSIYvpXlaV
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) May 19, 2018
10.47am: Elton John and David Furnish have arrived.
10.38am: Prince Harry’s ex-girlfriend Chelsy Davy arrives. Although the two have been broken up since 2011, they remain on friendly terms.
10.30am: Barrister Amal Clooney arrives with her actor husband George Clooney. She looks stylish in a striking Stella McCartney dress.
10.27am: David and Victoria Beckham arrive.
10.19am: Guests including Oprah Winfrey, actor Idris Elba and Earl Spencer, the brother of Diana, Princess of the Wales, have arrived at the venue.
10:11am: James Haskell and Chloe Madeley arrive
10.01am: Prince Harry’s wedding ring will be a platinum band with a textured finish and Meghan Markle’s ring has been fashioned from a piece of Welsh gold, Kensington Palace has announced.
News that Harry would opt to wear a wedding ring – considered a modern tradition – was announced earlier.
Ms. Markle’s ring has been fashioned from a piece of Welsh Gold, gifted by Her Majesty The Queen. Prince Harry’s ring will be a Platinum Band with a textured finish. #RoyalWedding
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 19, 2018
9.38am: St George’s Chapel has been adorned with floral displays ahead of the wedding.
Pictures from inside the building show foliage, white peonies, white garden roses and other white blooms adorning the front of the organ loft.
Flowers adorn the walls of St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle ahead of the wedding of Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle #RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/mkDWSVSBLH
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 19, 2018
Today Prince Harry and Ms. Markle will be married at Windsor Castle surrounded by friends and family.
Follow us @RoyalFamily@KensingtonRoyal@ClarenceHouse live all day. pic.twitter.com/ajq4yURMod
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) May 19, 2018
8.40am: Prince Harry has been made the third Earl of Dumbarton – a title that has strong military connections.
