ROYAL WEDDING

When Harry married Meghan

5 things to know about the royal wedding

5/18/2018

Britain's Prince Harry and his fiancee Meghan Markle will tie the knot Saturday at St. George's Chapel in Windsor.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

If you’ve been living under a rock for the last few months, you’ll be surprised to know there is a pretty big wedding this weekend.

Prince Harry, the son of Charles, Prince of Wales, and the late Diana, Princess of Wales, will marry Meghan Markle on Saturday at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor. As weddings go, this is a pretty big deal.

So, climb out from underneath that rock, dust yourself off, and prepare for the Royal Wedding. To help you, here’s five things which will make you sound like an expert on the wedding.

1. The wedding site predates the founding of the United States.

St. George’s Chapel was established in the 14th century, making it around 4 centuries older than the U.S. It’s been the site of many ceremonies, weddings, and burials; it is the planned site for Queen Elizabeth II, Harry’s grandmother. Since the reign of Queen Victoria, the Chapel has been the scene of many Royal weddings.

2. There will be a significant connection with the military.

Prince Harry served in the British Army for a decade. He did two tours of Afghanistan and rose to the rank of Captain, and that service will be reflected in the ceremony. There will be more than 250 members of the Armed Forces performing ceremonial duties, particularly regiments and units special to Harry — Royal Navy Small Ships and Diving; Royal Marines; 3 Regiment Army Air Corps; The Royal Gurkha Rifles, and RAF Honington. Streets will be lined by members of the WIndsor Castle Guard from 1st Battalion Irish Guards.

3. It’s a select list invited to the ceremony.

While the grounds at Windsor Castle will be open to 2,640 invited guests, only 600 have been invited to the service. Included on the list of invited guests are David and Victoria Beckham, along with the rest of the Spice Girls (that’s not a joke). Other possible attendees include Serena Williams and Sir Elton John. Also attending will be Diana’s siblings, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes, as well as her brother, Earl Charles Spencer.

4. The most important part of any wedding will be made by an American.

The wedding cake will be made by Claire Ptak, a California native who moved to London in 2005 and has owned Violet Cakes in Hackney since 2010. Ms. Ptak, who has been described as “the hip baker,” will make a lemon elderflower wedding cake for the occasion.

5. The best man and maid of honor will be ...

It should come as no surprise that Harry’s brother, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, will serve as the best man. However, Miss Markle said she won’t name a Maid of Honor because she is too close to a group of friends to single one out.

Contact Jeremy Schneider at jschneider@theblade.com, 419-724-6082, or on Twitter @j1schneider.