Royal Wedding 101: It’s The Final Countdown

Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle will marry inside St. George’s Chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle — Saturday, May 19, 2018. They will be surrounded by 600 of their closest friends, family, and international dignitaries.

The Prince, 33, and California “Suits” star, 36, were introduced through a mutual friend in July 2016. A year later, they announced their engagement — Here’s what you need to know.

What time is the ceremony? 

The event begins at 12 p.m. GMT — that’s 4 a.m. Pacific and 7 a.m. Eastern Time. However, television coverage will begin much earlier that day, in some places, even Friday night — depending on your time zone.

How and where can you watch?

The Royal Wedding will be hard to miss. All major networks will be broadcasting this event. You can find coverage on PBS, E! BBC America, ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox — CNN and HLN will also have journalists on site. The NBC’s “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb will co-anchor “Today at the Royal Wedding” from 1:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. Pacific time. ABC News and “Good Morning America” will broadcast special coverage from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m. Pacific time as well. Youtube will also be streaming wedding festivities starting at noon UK time (7 a.m, ET or 4 a.m. PT). Around 5,000 journalists and other media outlets have been allowed to cover the royal wedding and that doesn’t included those who will be reporting from newsrooms around the world.

List of Events

Wedding guests will arrive at Windsor Castle’s Round Tower by coach and will be seen walking in through the South Door of St. George’s Chapel between 9:30 a.m and 11 a.m.

Prince Harry and his brother, Prince William will likely arrive at the chapel on foot, while Markle and her mother, Doria Ragland are expected to travel by car so that they can be seen by the public. Prince Charles will be walking Markle down the aisle, as her father couldn’t be in attendance.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, will officiate the Anglican wedding ceremony which is expected to take about an hour. The chapel’s choir will perform and Rev. Michael Bruce Curry of Chicago, will give a sermon. Members of the royal family will give the reading.

Who is on the Royal Guest List?

In addition to the 600 guests, previously mentioned — the extended British royal family. Sadly, still affected by the devastating loss of their mother Princess Diana, three siblings of the princess will attend and celebrate with the family at the wedding. Potential guests include some of Markle’s “Suits” costars, tennis star Serena Williams, David and Victoria Beckham and the Spice Girls, who are expected to perform.

Who are the Best Man and Maid of Honor?

The Duke of Cambridge will be Prince Harry’s best man. Markle, however, is not having a maid of honor. Prince George, 4, and Princess Charlotte 3, the children of Prince Harry will be a page boy and a bridesmaid. Other bridesmaids, will consist of some of Harry’s goddaughter, and Markle’s goddaughters.

What is Harry wearing? Where’s the Dress? 

Harry is expected to wear a military uniform. As for the dress, we’ll have to wait and see…

Last but not least — The Wedding Cake?

The cake will be a lemon elderflower creation covered with buttercream and fresh flowers. The cake was made by pastry chef Claire Ptak, owner of the London-based bakery Violet. With a team of six bakers, Ptak has been working on the cake in the kitchens of Buckingham Palace for the past five days.

And so it begins 🍋

A post shared by Violet By Claire Ptak (@violetcakeslondon) on

Break out your favorite hat and a cup of tea! It’s time for a wedding.

Danielle Germain
Danielle Germain (she/her/hers) is originally from Long Island, New York. She is a rising junior at The American University, majoring in Broadcast Journalism, and minoring in Political Science. She partakes in various activities on campus. Danielle is a Teacher's Assistant, the Vice President of Programming for Caribbean Circle, The Social Media Director and Web Manager for The Blackprint, Programming Coordinator for Founder's Week Committee, Senior Communications Strategist for AUSG Center for Advocacy and Student Equity or CASE, Secretary of the Junior Class Council and a Club Consultant for American University Club Council. After learning more about herself freshman year, Danielle became deeply interested in pushing diversity and inclusion forward. Since then, Danielle has started The Purpose, a bible study for students of color at AU. By creating a safe space on campus, she hopes that the voices of those who feel underrepresented are heard and also valued. In her free time, Danielle enjoys going to brunch and watching Gossip Girl. This past summer, Danielle served as the Corporate Communications Intern for Macy's Inc. Danielle has a passion for politics and a love for writing, and one day hopes to become a political commentator for CNN. She can be reached at dg0060a@student.american.edu.