Harry Weds Meghan- A Thoroughly Modern Marriage

After a week of family drama, the wedding of the year went off without a hitch. At once refined and flamboyant, the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex started their married life side by side staring into each other’s eyes, giddy with joy.

- Juliet Rieden

We’ve been waiting for this wedding for a long time, but it was certainly worth it. To see Prince Harry, the most popular of the young royals, bursting with happiness on what must surely be the best day of his life to date was totally mesmerising. Protocols were pushed aside as each and every part of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding said something new and special about this very modern multicultural couple.

The royal town of Windsor went into lockdown and meltdown with 120,000 descending; arriving by train, car, boat and plane. Many chose to sleep out overnight in a chilly six degrees to nail prime positions along the carriage route. As the sun came up and shone brightly throughout, the crowds swelled and every corner of the town and Windsor Great Park lled with ag-waving revellers.

This was a private wedding, with just 600 guests, no heads of state or politicians, no foreign relations diplomacy, just Harry and Meghan with those closest to them from their combined worlds – Britain, the US and the Commonwealth. But it also felt as if the whole world was invited in to watch what turned out to be an intimate ceremony packed with powerful emotion.

Oprah Winfrey was one of the first to arrive, leading a smattering of celebrity guests that included Serena Williams, David and Victoria Beckham, George and Amal Clooney and, of course, Meghan’s co-stars from TV drama Suits. That morning, tennis royalty Serena had posted a cute video on social media saying, “My friend’s getting married. I’m up super early – for me – and I’ve known her for so many years and I’m so happy for her.” And this was clearly felt by everyone.