Royal Wedding LIVE: 'I'm so emotional!' Meghan tells Prince Harry on 'perfect day'
MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry married in a stunning multi-cultural and US-themed ceremony for the Royal Wedding at Windsor's St George's Chapel.
Meghan Markle and Harry share kiss on wedding day in 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle marry at St George’s Chapel
Meghan Markle’s wedding dress designed by Givenchy’s Clare Waight Keller
Couple become Duke and Duchess of Sussex
Mother of the bride Doria Ragland cries as Meghan walks down aisle
Harry and Meghan share first public kiss
Public cheer as couple meet crowds on procession around Windsor
Oprah Winfrey, the Beckhams and Serena Williams among celebrity guests
Meghan reveals second wedding dress as she leaves with Harry for their evening reception
Express.co.uk has now finished live blogging for the Royal Wedding day. Please visit here for our latest coverage on Harry and Meghan's first day as a married couple
The beautiful bride looked stunning in a simple but spectacular long-sleeved white dress teamed with a glorious five-metre veil which covered her face and a diamond tiara.
The veil, embroidered along the edge with flowers from all 53 Commonwealth nations, was carried at the end by two pageboys as she made her way up the aisle, over the black and white chequed stone floor of the church.
The newlyweds emerged in the sunshine from the 15th-century St George's Chapel to loud cheers from excited crowds just moments after exchanging vows.
And Meghan turned to her new husband and, on the verge of tears, told him: "Oh that was so beautiful. So perfect. I am just so emotional."
Stopping at the top of the stone steps, the pair shared a kiss to the delight of the hundreds and thousands fans gathering to catch a glimpse of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
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In touching scenes, the couple were waved off and watched by members of the royal family as they left in an open-top Ascot Landau for a carriage procession through Windsor to greet fans who have waited hours to greet Harry and Meghan.
Outside St George's Chapel, the pair set off on an open-top carriage ride through the streets of Windsor where tens of thousands of well-wishers had descended on the town for the royal nuptials in the glorious sunshine.
Meghan, who is wearing a stunning white dress designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, arrived accompanied by two page boys who held up her train as she made her way up the chapel's steps alone.
The smiling royal bride entered the chapel by herself, to begin the walk down the alter, before she was met by the Prince of Wales.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will tied the knot at the Royal Wedding in Windsor Castle
Prince Harry, wearing his official military uniform, looked close to tears as he watched his American bride walk down the aisle in St George's Chapel.
As Harry greeted his bride at the alter he thanked his "pa" Prince Charles for stepping in last minute for Meghan's father, Thomas Markle, before telling her : "You look amazing - I missed you."
As soon as the door at the West Steps opened shortly before midday, all eyes turned turned towards the ornate entrance to catch the first glimpse of Meghan.
When the bride appeared through the doors of the chapel, sunlight streaming in behind her, she turned to smile and wave at the children who were standing to her right behind the door.
READ HERE: ROYAL WEDDING 2018 LIVE UPDATES
Her tiara, the glittering Queen Mary's Diamond Bandeau tiara, loaned to her by the Queen, dazzled in the light of the chapel.
You could hear a pin drop as the 600 guests watched the British prince and American star say "I do" in the historic surroundings of the chapel at Windsor Castle.
The happy couple gazed into each other's eyes and tenderly held hands as they exchanged vows.
The Duke of Cambridge, in his role as best man, stepped forward to hand over the rings, with Harry and Meghan smiling as they placed the rings on each other's hands.
Loud cheers could be heard from outside St George's Chapel as the Archbishop of Canterbury proclaimed them husband and wife.
After officiating during the service, the Archbishop of Canterbury tweeted: "Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex! May God pour out his blessings upon you in your new life together."
As Meghan and Harry returned to the Quire, the national anthem rang out in the church.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte did not follow Harry and Meghan as they made their way back up the aisle. Instead, the youngsters held their parents' hands as they made their way out of the chapel.
Adorable four-year-old Charlotte treated fans to a very regal royal wave as she left the church. Meanwhile, her elder brother Prince George, usually in shorts, looked cute in trousers as he acted up as page boy.
Kate and William's third child Prince Louis, who is just under a month old, is not attending the Royal Wedding and he is understood to have remained behind at Kensington Palace.
In a heartwarming moment, Prince Charles took Ms Ragland's hand as they left to sign the register for the Royal Wedding of their children Harry and Meghan.
Mike Tindall was seen rubbing heavily-pregnant wife Zara's bump as the congregation waited for Harry and Meghan to sign their register.
Meghan's mother Doria Ragland smiled at the Prince of Wales and took his hand as they joined the newlyweds in one of the chapel's transepts to privately record their marriage.
Just before the bride arrived, the bridesmaids and pageboys were ushered in by the Duchess of Cambridge, who helped coax them into their positions with an encouraging hand on their shoulder.
Meghan Markle walks down aisle at wedding in 2018
The children were handed flowers behind the door when one of the little bridesmaids began to cry.
The Cambridges' nanny, Maria, lifted her up to comfort her, as Prince George looked up at the tearful girl.
A member of Prince Harry's household bent down to help to adjust one of the bridesmaid's dresses.
Meghan's bridesmaids who were earlier named as Florence van Cutsem, aged three, who is the goddaughter of Prince Harry and daughter of Alice van Cutsem and Major Nicholas van Cutsem as well as the Duchess's own daughter Princess Charlotte.
Royal watchers were quick to notice the Duchess of Cambridge's coat was cut in a similar style to two previous outfits.
Kate previously wore the same coat in a pale white to Charlotte's christening and in a pale pink the Queen's birthday.
A few minutes later there were gigggles when the Archbishop of Canterbury conducted the vows.
A loud and clear "We will" sounded out when the guests were asked if they would support Harry and Meghan.
The influence of African-American culture was apparent throughout the service at St George's Chapel in Windsor, from the rousing address of black Episcopal Bishop Michael Curry to the spine-tingling performance of a gospel choir.
Such departures from the conventional Church of England wedding indicates the impact Meghan has had on the House of Windsor.
The Most Rev Bishop Michael Curry, the first African-American presiding bishop and primate of the Episcopal Church, gave an address titled the Power of Love.
He opened his speech with the words of Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr, who said: "We must discover the power of love, the redemptive power of love. And when we do that, we will be able to make of this old world a new world. Love is the only way."
The bishop then added: "There's power in love. Don't underestimate it. Don't even over-sentimentalise. There is power, power in love."
But it was when Mr Curry said “With this I will sit down. We gotta get you all married," that Meghan could be seen giggling.
The bishop said afterwards it had been a "real joyful thing" to bring diversity to the high-profile service.
The Queen arrived just before Meghan, looking elegant in lime green teamed with a matching lime green and purple hat.
She was joined by her husband, Prince Philip, who looked in good spirits and walked unaided despite undergoing a hip replacement operation just weeks ago.
Mother-of-the-bride Ms Ragland, also wearing green, fought back the tears as she watched her daughter on her wedding day.
The sun shone throughout the morning, from Harry's arrival as a single prince to his departure, hand in hand with Meghan, as a duke and husband.
The bridegroom smiled, waved and appeared to point out people he knew in the crowd, just before he made his way up the steps alongside his brother and best man the Duke of Cambridge.
He wore a frockcoat uniform of the Blues and Royals ranked to major, with large gold embroidered crowns.
In a nod to Princess Diana, Harry's late mother, the couple selected forget-me-nots, her favourite flowers, for the bridal bouquet.
The 33-year-old prince also contributed by hand-picking several flowers from their private garden at Kensington Palace a day ahead.
Reacting to the wedding from Mexico, Meghan's father Thomas Markle said: "My baby looks beautiful and she looks very happy. I wish I were there and I wish them all my love and all happiness."
On Saturday evening, the royal family expressed their gratitude to all those who enjoyed the wedding.
They said on the official Twitter account: "Thank you to everyone who came to Windsor and those who followed from around the UK, the Commonwealth, and the world today.
"Congratulations once again to the newly-married Duke and Duchess of Sussex."
Around 600 guests were then treated to a lunchtime reception at St George's Hall, thrown by the Queen.
Sir Elton John - who performed 'Candle in the Wind' at Princess Diana's wedding - is set to perform at the couple's reception.
One guest said people were moved to tears at a reception, describing the speeches by the Prince of Wales and Harry as "lovely".
Suhani Jalota, the founder of the India-based Myna Mahila charity, added:"Some people were even crying. I think it was just a very, really nice atmosphere to be in where everybody felt really loved."
Guest enjoyed canapes of Scottish Langoustines wrapped in smoked salmon with citrus crème fraiche, grilled English asparagus wrapped in cumbrian ham, garden pea panna cotta with quail eggs and lemon verbena, heritage tomato and basil tartare with balsamic pearls, poached free range chicken bound in a lightly spiced yoghurt with roasted apricot, croquette of confit windsor lamb, roasted vegetables and shallot jam and warm asparagus spears with mozzarella and sun-blush tomatoes.
Rather than a formal sit-down dinner, guests were served a selection of bowl food, including fricassee of free range chicken with morel mushrooms and young leeks, pea and mint risotto with pea shoots, truffle oil and parmesan crisps and ten hour slow roasted Windsor pork belly with apple compote and crackling.
Sweet treats include champagne and pistachio macaroons, orange crème brûlée tartlets and miniature rhubarb crumble tartlets.
Meghan and Harry's lemon and elderflower cake, baked and created by Claire Ptak, was also be served up at the reception.
The glorious cake, adorned with roses and peonies, features elderflower syrup made at the Queen’s residence in Sandringham from the estate’s own elderflower trees.
The filling is made from Amalfi lemon curd and elderflower buttercream and is decorated with Swiss meringue buttercream and 150 fresh flowers.
After the cutting of the cake, there were speeches from Prince Harry and Prince Charles.
Meghan spoke at the second Royal Wedding reception hosted by Prince Charles for close friends and family of the couple in the evening.
Guests were also be served Pol Roger Brut Reserve non vintage Champagne, a selection of wines and a range of soft drinks, including an apple and elderflower mocktail, made with the same elderflower syrup used in the couple's wedding cake, and Sandringham Cox's apple juice.
The palace said around 7,500 items of food had been prepared by a team of 25 chefs, led by royal chef Mark Flanagan.
All the ingredients for the reception food have been sourced from Royal Warrant holding companies, the Palace said, using as much UK-based produced as possible.
The Duke of Cambridge, Harry's best man, will act as compere.
The newlywed reemerged just after 7.15pm, where Meghan showed off her second wedding dress for the night.
Meghan was spotted being helped into silver blue Jaguar E-Type Concept Zero by her husband Prince Harry.
The Bride's evening dress was designed by Stella McCartney and is a bespoke lily white high neck gown made of silk crepe.
Meghan is also wearing shoes from Aquazurra made in silky satin, with nude mesh, with soles painted in baby blue.
Royal Wedding: Meghan Markle arrives at St George's Chapel
Her hair has been styled for the Evening Reception by George Northwood.
Kensington Palace confirmed the couple will be known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
A statement released before the wedding read: "The Queen has today been pleased to confer a Dukedom on Prince Henry of Wales. His titles will be Duke of Sussex, Earl of Dumbarton and Baron Kilkeel.
"Prince Harry thus becomes His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex, and Ms. Meghan Markle on marriage will become Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex."
Pregnant Zara Tindall, the Princess Royal and Princess Eugenie and Beatrice were among the members of the royal family who arrived and entered the ceremony via the Galilee Porch at St George's Chapel earlier today.
Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, also arrived with his wife, Sophie, Countess of Wessex and their children James, Viscount Severn and Lady Louise Windsor.
VIP guests including an array of celebrities, sports stars and actors with British actor Idris Elba, David and Victoria Beckham, rugby star Johnny Wilkinson, Amal and George Clooney, US host star Oprah Winfrey, UK singer James Blunt, polo star Nacho Figueras and his wife Delfina Blaquier, musician Marcus Mumford, actress Carey Mulligan, comedian James Corden, singer Joss Stone and Sir Elton John, sharing the special moment with the couple in St George's Chapel.
Prince Harry's uncle - Princess Diana's brother - Earl Spencer, as well as Diana’s niece Lady Kitty Spencer, were also in attendance.
Sarah Ferguson, Prince Harry's aunty and former wife of Prince Andrew, also arrived in Windsor, despite claims she been snubbed.
Fergie, 58, looked glamourous in navy and light pink as she smiled and waved to fans.
Prince William's private secretary, Miguel Head, also attended the wedding ceremony, as well as Camilla's son Tom Parker Bowles.
Kate's sister, Pippa Middleton, looked lovely in a mint green floral frock as she arrived in Windsor.
The 34-year-old, who is reported to be pregnant with her first child, was joined by her brother James and parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, who looked elegant in light blue.
Prince Harry leaves his hotel and heads to Windsor
The South African blonde looked glamourous in a navy chiffon dress.
Another former flame of Harry, Cressida Bonas, was also in Windsor to celebrate his marriage to his American bride, Meghan.
Tennis star Serena Williams, Meghan's close friend and confidante, along with her husband, Alexis Ohanian, also watched the glorious ceremony.
Meanwhile, former Tory PM and Winston Churchill's grandson Nick Soames was also in Windsor to see the couple say 'I do'.
The 33-year-old prince also invited Invictus Games competitor and parasport athlete Dave Henson.
Prime Minister Theresa May, who did not recieve an invite to the wedding, posted a message of good wishes on Twitter, saying: "My very best wishes to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on their wedding day.
"To all of those joining the national celebration with street parties and other events, have a wonderful day."
But all eyes were on the bride, Meghan Markle and her wedding dress, when she arrived by car, having travelled to the ceremony with her mother Doria Ragland, just before 12noon.
British designer Clare Waight Keller style and art director at Parish fashion house, Givenchy, was named as the designer behind the royal wedding dress the world waited to see.
Claire Waight Keller met Meghan earlier this year and the two worked together on the design, which "epitomises a timeless minimal elegance", Kensington Palace said.
The gown, made from a double bonded cady silk with a sweeping train, won praise from fashionistas.
The 36-year-old spent her last night as a single woman at Cliveden House Hotel in Taplow, Berkshire, with her mum.
Arriving at the luxury 5-star hotel last night, Meghan told reporters she felt "wonderful" ahead of her Royal Wedding.
Just hours before, Meghan and her social worker and yoga instructor mum had enjoyed afternoon tea with Harry's grandmother, the Queen.
Meanwhile, crowds gathering in Windsor on Friday night were treated to a surprise visit from Prince Harry and his best man, William, who greeted fans with handshakes and high-fives.
Prince Harry's father, Charles, had the honour of walking Meghan down the aisle as her father, Thomas Markle, was forced to back out from attending last minute following health surgery.
In a statement released by Kensington Palace, Ms Markle commented on her father’s absence, saying: “Sadly, my father will not be attending our wedding.
“I have always cared for my father and hope he can be given the space he needs to focus on his health.
“I would like to thank everyone who has offered generous messages of support.
The royal couple brought their own modern touch to their marriage ceremony, fusing the traditional and the contemporary.
The couple's Order of Service revealed the soul classic Stand By Me by Ben E King will echo around the 15th century St George's chapel, performed by Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir.
The gospel choir performed Etta James' uplifting version of Amen/This Little Light of Mine - a favourite in African-American churches - as the newlyweds left the chapel.
In a break from tradition, Harry will also wear a ring and Meghan did not promise to obey her husband, while the wording of the service was more contemporary than traditional.
Earlier, Palace officials confirmed the couple had chosen Cleave and Company to make their wedding rings.
Meghan's ring has been fashioned from a piece of Welsh Gold, gifted by the Queen and Prince Harry's ring will be a Platinum Band with a textured finish.
The Queen's grandson, who is sixth in line to the throne, pledged to love, comfort, honour and protect the former actress as they become husband and wife in the historic surrounds of St George's Chapel.
Harry also received Scottish and Northern Irish titles, becoming the Earl of of Dumbarton and Baron Kilkeel, which means Meghan will become the Countess of Dumbarton and Baroness Kilkeel.
Royal wedding revellers were buzzing with excitement as they arrived in Windsor on the first trains.
It was standing room only on services from Slough where the station had made spectators feel welcome with a sign celebrating the nuptials.
The dot matrix board said: "All aboard the royal wedding special to Harry & Meghan Central."
Many of the voices chatting excitedly on the trains had American accents, including Christine Clancy from Virginia.
Her thumbnails were painted with the Union flag and she sported the British flag on her shoes.
Ms Clancy said: "I've always been a royal fan - not an extreme one - I just love British history and love the royals. I just wanted to be part of the wedding celebration.
"It would have been nice if Meghan's dad was walking here down the aisle, everyone was expecting her mum to do it, but Charles - he'll be able to do it with his eyes closed."
Royal Wedding: Sarah Ferguson makes her way to the chapel
Leila Souza, 67, and Adela Welch, 63, have travelled from Tampa in Florida to watch the wedding.
The pair have booked a "VIP spot" in a cafe along the procession route to ensure a good view of proceedings.
They have made a sign featuring a picture of Princess Diana on her wedding day, with the words "here in spirit".
Ms Souza said: "When she died Prince Harry was just a little child. We all grieved.
"His mother will be very, very happy today, so she's here in spirit."
Last minute preparations for the day were underway in to the night and the early hours of Saturday morning.
St George's Chapel was adorned with floral displays ahead of the loved-up couple tying the knot.
The first pictures from inside the historic building show foliage, white peonies, white garden roses and other white blooms adorning the front of the organ loft, towering above the seats surfaced early in the morning.
The glorious flowers are a nod to Harry's late mother, Princess Diana, who particularly loved white flowers - with a White Garden created in her honour at Kensington Palace.
Lady Kitty Spencer wears emerald green to the Royal Wedding
A central arch served as an arch to frame the royal couple as a congregation of family, friends and well-wishers watch them take their vows.
Two large arrangements also sat either side of the High Altar in the Windsor Castle chapel.
The display, which also features foxgloves with branches of beech, birch and hornbeam, also extended to outside the chapel, lining the West Steps and surrounding the West Door through which Meghan will enter the church.
The display was carefully crafted by floral designer Philippa Craddock.
Community Champions invited to share the couple's momentous day described their excitement ahead of the royal wedding.
Charity workers, local volunteers, community stalwarts and those who have made their cities, towns and villages a better place to live, filed into the castle grounds with their hampers.
Tom Moss, 23, was chosen to represent scouting in Staffordshire and brought his mother Vicki along.
He said he is a big fan of the couple, adding: "I think Harry's down-to-earth, and all the charity work that he does as well.
Royal Wedding: Pippa Middleton and James Matthews arrive
Royal Wedding: Chelsy Davy arrives at chapel for the ceremony
"It makes a massive impact. A good role model for younger people as well."
His mother said the outing is "just absolutely amazing", adding: "We just can't believe it, can we, that we've had this opportunity."
She said it was a "once in a lifetime" event.
Another young man having a day out with his mum is Jack Al-Alawi, 16, from Birmingham, who was chosen for being a volunteer police cadet.
He said: "Now I'm here it's very exciting, much more special."
The teenager said he was looking forward to seeing the guests go in, especially the Queen.
British Transport Police, the Metropolitan Police Service and Surrey Police are involved in policing the event.
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead said it had used £2.6 million to improve the look of the region in time for the royal wedding.
It said its clean-up and improvements, which included road surfacing, came from money that had already been earmarked for the work.
Harry and Meghan became engaged last year following a 16-month romance after going on a blind date in London.
The Prince has previously told how "all the stars were aligned" when they met.
Additional reporting by Nicole Stinson.
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