Meghan Markle And Prince Harry Royal Wedding: What To Expect

Prince Harry's engagement to Meghan Markle was announced last year on November 27. Ever since then, there has been a lot of talk about Meghan Markle, an American actress, who would be the first mixed-race royal. The focus also shifted to Ms Markle's father who would skip her big day. As the wedding date of May 19 nears, the spotlight now is on the grand wedding preparations - the bride's dress, the wedding cake, the guest list, the grand venue of England's Windsor Castle, decoration among others. Here's what's expected at the Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wedding of the year:

The couple would take wedding vows at St George's Chapel in Windsor around mid-day. The Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, will be seen alongside Prince Harry as his Best Man. Around 600 people have been invited to the service.

The couple has selected 7 charitable organisations where people can donate instead of buying them presents.

After the service, around 1 pm, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will travel around Windsor in a horse-drawn carriage where people will be able to see them and join the royal wedding celebrations.
Prince Harry and Ms Markle have also invited 2,640 people into the grounds of Windsor Castle to watch the arrivals of the bride and groom.

After this, there will be a reception at St George's Hall, which is being given by Queen Elizabeth II.

Later that evening, the Prince of Wales will give a private evening reception for the couple and their close friends and family.

Wedding preparations:

A lemon elderflower wedding cake will be created by American pastry chef Claire Ptak.

Claire Ptak gives finishing touches to the royal wedding cake in her Buckingham palace kitchen. (Reuters)

Floral designer Philippa Craddock will create floral displays in St George's Chapel which will be created using locally sourced foliage, much of which will be taken from the gardens and parkland of The Crown Estate and Windsor Great Park. After the wedding, the flowers will be distributed to charitable organisations.