Royal Wedding 2018 Live
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are preparing to marry in a ceremony that will be watched by millions of people around the world.The couple - the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex - will wed from noon at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle before travelling through the down in an open-topped carriage.
Huge crowds are gathering in Windsor, with hundreds of die-hard royalists - many decked out in the national colours of both Britain and the United States - having camped out overnight to secure the best views.
Senior members of the Royal family and a raft of celebrities will be among the 600 invited guests and another 2,640 members of the public have been chosen to watch the ceremony from the grounds of Windsor Castle.
The Prince of Wales is stepping in for the father of the bride, as he prepares to walk Ms Markle down the aisle. Ms Markle will not promise to "obey" her husband, who has chosen to wear a wedding ring - unlike his brother.
After arriving with her mother, Doria Ragland, Ms Markle will walk up the Nave of St George's Chapel - the first part of the church - on her own in front of a global television audience of millions.
She will be followed by her six bridesmaids and four pageboys including Prince George and Princess Charlotte. Ms Markle will then be accompanied by Charles through the Quire, which begins in the middle of the chapel. However, the ceremony will omit the traditional moment of "giving away".
Stay with us for the latest updates throughout the day.Strangers not only made eye contact, they chatted animatedly': On board the first train to Windsor
There was something distinctly unusual about the 05.18 train from Paddington this morning, reports Judith Woods.The fancy frocks, the Union flags, and the air of excited merriment set the service to Windsor & Eton Central apart.
Strangers not only made eye contact, they chatted animatedly, someone whistled a wedding march and there was talk of nothing but Harry and Meghan’s nuptials.I’ve been up since midnight,” said Laurie Walls, 33, a bookseller and librarian from Indiana, who took two weeks off work to travel to Britain for the wedding.
“I was too hyped up to sleep. I’ve always been fascinated by the royals and ever since I watched William and Harry at Diana’s funeral I’ve followed them avidly from afar.”
In the presence of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we have come together to witness the marriage of Henry Charles Albert David and Rachel Meghan, to pray for God's blessing on them, to share their joy and to celebrate their love.
Marriage is a gift of God in creation through which husband and wife may know the grace of God. It is given that as man and woman grow together in love and trust, they shall be united with one another in heart, body and mind, as Christ is united with his bride, the Church.
The gift of marriage brings husband and wife together in the delight and tenderness of sexual union and joyful commitment to the end of their lives. It is given as the foundation of family life in which children are born and nurtured and in which each member of the family, in good times and in bad, may find strength, companionship and comfort, and grow to maturity in love.
Marriage is a way of life made holy by God, and blessed by the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ with those celebrating a wedding at Cana in Galilee. Marriage is a sign of unity and loyalty which all should uphold and honour. It enriches society and strengthens community.
No one should enter into it lightly or selfishly but reverently and responsibly in the sight of almighty God. Harry and Meghan are now to enter this way of life. They will each give their consent to the other and make solemn vows, and in token of this they will each give and receive a ring. We pray with them that the Holy Spirit will guide and strengthen them, that they may fulfil God's purposes for the whole of their earthly life together.The prayers - led by Archbishop Angaelos and The Reverend Prebendary Rose Hudson-Wilkin from the Nave.
Faithful God, holy and eternal, source of life and spring of love, we thank and praise you for bringing Harry and Meghan to this day, and we pray for them.
Lord of life and love: hear our prayer.
May their marriage be life-giving and life-long, enriched by your presence and strengthened by your grace; may they bring comfort and confidence to each other in faithfulness and trust.
Lord of life and love: hear our prayer.
May the hospitality of their home bring refreshment and joy to all around them; may their love overflow to neighbours in need and embrace those in distress.
Lord of life and love: hear our prayer.
May they discern in your word order and purpose for their lives; and may the power of your Holy Spirit lead them in truth and defend them in adversity.
Lord of life and love: hear our prayer.
May they nurture their family with devotion, see their children grow in body, mind and spirit and come at last to the end of their lives with hearts content and in joyful anticipation of heaven.
Lord of life and love: hear our prayer.
Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name; your kingdom come, your will be done; on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
All stand.Queen Elizabeth II bestowed new royal titles early Saturday on her grandson Prince Harry and his bride-soon-to-be Meghan Markle. The couple will henceforth be known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
"The Queen has today been pleased to confer a Dukedom on Prince Henry of Wales. His titles will be Duke of Sussex, Earl of Dumbarton and Baron Kilkeel. Prince Harry thus becomes His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex, and Ms. Meghan Markle on marriage will become Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex," the queen said in an official statement released by the palace.
Markle will become the first ever Duchess of Sussex. The title of Duke of Sussex was vacant, and had been regarded as the most likely choice for Prince Harry.
The only previous Duke of Sussex (Duke of Sussex, Prince Augustus Frederick, the sixth son of King George III and Queen Charlotte) was married twice but neither of his marriages was approved by his father, George III, meaning they were considered unlawful -- thus no previous Duchess. Prince Frederick died in 1843.
