Prince Harry & Meghan Markle Marry In Front Of An Audience Of 1.9 Billion

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle married on Saturday, May 19, in front of an audience estimated 1.9 billion watching on TV and the 600 guests inside St. George’s Chapel in Windsor, England.

The wedding showcased a mixture of both traditional English and African-American culture. Classic songs of the Church of England were accompanied by a gospel choir singing “Stand by Me,” a hit by American soul singer Ben E. King.

READ: Met Gala 2018 Best Dressed Slideshow

Unlike previous royal weddings, Markle didn’t vow to obey her husband and Prince Harry donned a wedding ring.

Prince Harry’s office announced the private reception following the ceremony would feature speeches by Prince Charles, Harry and Meghan. A speech from the bride is yet another untraditional element of the royal wedding.

Oscars 2018: Best Dressed Slideshow!

The newlyweds, now Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have broken royal British conventions since the start of their relationship, which originally began on a blind date in 2016. Markle, a divorced African-American feminist, doesn’t quite match the typical royal image exhibited in Kate Middleton and the late Princess Diana.

After drama and confusion surrounding Markle’s father’s attendance at the ceremony, Markle walked down the aisle with Prince Charles in place of her father. Thomas Markle, 73, said his absence was due to heart surgery on the Wednesday before the wedding.

Her father watched the ceremony from California and told TMZ, “My baby looks beautiful and she looks very happy. I wish I were there and I wish them all my love and all happiness.”

About 100,000 people crowded outside of the church, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle came forth as husband and wife under the sunny, blue sky.

The chapel was adorned with white roses, the favorite flower of Harry’s mother, to remember the late princess.

After the midday ceremony, a lunchtime reception was held in the castle’s St George’s Hall before a smaller group of 200 guests attended a private evening event at the nearby Frogmore House mansion.

The two will not leave for their honeymoon immediately, instead, they will attend their first official engagement as a married couple next week.