The big day is here, Harry weds Meghan

prince Harry and Meghan Markle
prince Harry and Meghan Markle

It all started with a blind date in 2016 set up by a mutual friend. prince Harry and Meghan Markle found each other in love in that meeting.

Less than two years later, US actress Meghan Markle will walk down the aisle today on Saturday at St George’s Chapel in Windsor to marry prince Harry following the footsteps trod by England’s royals for nearly a thousand years, reports Reuters.

News agency AP says, Harry’s status as a senior British royal and Markle’s entertainment industry presence as a star on the TV series ‘Suits’ has turned Saturday’s wedding into a global event.

US actress and fiancee of Britain`s prince Harry Meghan Markle (L) arrives with her mother Doria Ragland at Cliveden House hotel in the village of Taplow near Windsor on 18 May 2018, the eve of her wedding to Britain`s prince Harry. Britain`s prince Harry and US actress Meghan Markle will marry on 19 May at St George`s Chapel in Windsor Castle. Photo: AFP
US actress and fiancee of Britain`s prince Harry Meghan Markle (L) arrives with her mother Doria Ragland at Cliveden House hotel in the village of Taplow near Windsor on 18 May 2018, the eve of her wedding to Britain`s prince Harry. Britain`s prince Harry and US actress Meghan Markle will marry on 19 May at St George`s Chapel in Windsor Castle. Photo: AFP

From St George’s Chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle, the royal wedding ceremony - complete with Anglican prayers and tradition, classical music and a gospel choir - will be beamed to tens of millions of TV viewers throughout the world.

“Windsor is absolutely bursting with excitement,” said royal historian Hugo Vickers. “There are cardboard cutouts of Meghan and Harry in every shop window, virtually. There’s bunting all over the place. I’ve never seen so many people in the streets of Windsor.”

Britain`s prince Harry (L) and his best man prince William, Duke of Cambridge arrive to greet well-wishers on the street outside Windsor Castle in Windsor on 18 May 2018, the eve of prince Harry`s royal wedding to US actress Meghan Markle. Britain`s prince Harry and US actress Meghan Markle will marry on 19 May at St George`s Chapel in Windsor Castle. Photo: AFP
Britain`s prince Harry (L) and his best man prince William, Duke of Cambridge arrive to greet well-wishers on the street outside Windsor Castle in Windsor on 18 May 2018, the eve of prince Harry`s royal wedding to US actress Meghan Markle. Britain`s prince Harry and US actress Meghan Markle will marry on 19 May at St George`s Chapel in Windsor Castle. Photo: AFP

Earlier, prince Harry made an made an impromptu walkabout on Friday outside the ancient walls of Windsor Castle on the eve of his wedding. BBC reports, he was greeted with shouts of “good luck!” from the crowds of well-wishers.

With his brother and best man Prince William, he spent nearly 10 minutes chatting to the crowds.

Just before he went back into Windsor Castle, he was asked how he was feeling and said: “Relaxed, of course.”

Meanwhile, Meghan Markle and her mother, Doria Ragland, arrived at nearby Cliveden House Hotel.

As she arrived at the hotel following tea with the Queen, Markle said she was feeling “wonderful” on the eve of her wedding.

Britain`s prince Harry greets well-wishers on the street outside Windsor Castle in Windsor on 18 May 2018, the eve of prince Harry`s royal wedding to US actress Meghan Markle. Britain`s prince Harry and US actress Meghan Markle will marry on 19 May at St George`s Chapel in Windsor Castle. Photo: AFP
Britain`s prince Harry greets well-wishers on the street outside Windsor Castle in Windsor on 18 May 2018, the eve of prince Harry`s royal wedding to US actress Meghan Markle. Britain`s prince Harry and US actress Meghan Markle will marry on 19 May at St George`s Chapel in Windsor Castle. Photo: AFP

According to a BBC report, prince Charles will walk Meghan Markle down the aisle on Saturday when she marries prince Harry, Kensington Palace has said.

Markle’s father, Thomas, is unable to attend the wedding, after undergoing heart surgery.

The prince of Wales was “pleased to be able to welcome Markle to the Royal Family in this way”, the palace added.

Prince Harry’s grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, will also attend the wedding, Buckingham Palace confirmed.

Prince Philip, 96, has been recovering from a hip operation.

Flags bearing the image of Great Britain`s prince Harry and US actress Meghan Markle is displayed during a event to celebrate their wedding in Delhi on 18 May 2018. The couple will be married on 19 May at St George`s Chapel in Windsor Castle. Photo: AFP
Flags bearing the image of Great Britain`s prince Harry and US actress Meghan Markle is displayed during a event to celebrate their wedding in Delhi on 18 May 2018. The couple will be married on 19 May at St George`s Chapel in Windsor Castle. Photo: AFP

Markle’s mother, Doria Ragland, will take her daughter to the wedding at St George’s Chapel in Windsor.

Dripping with historical connections to the royals, the chapel at the castle contains the remains of 10 British monarchs, including the queen’s father George VI along with those of her mother and sister princess Margaret.

Harry himself was baptized there in December 1984 while his father, heir-to-the-throne prince Charles, had a blessing after his marriage to second wife Camilla in 2005.

“It is in a sense the chapel where the (royal) family go on very special family occasions, sometimes happy ones, sometimes sad ones,” royal historian Hugo Vickers said.

“As she (Markle) walks down from the altar, she will walk over the tomb of Henry VIII and Charles I and (Henry VIII’s third wife) Jane Seymour.”

Fans of the royal family camp outside Windsor Castle prior to the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Windsor, Britain 18 May. Photo: Reuters
Fans of the royal family camp outside Windsor Castle prior to the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Windsor, Britain 18 May. Photo: Reuters

The reception will take place in the castle’s huge and impressive St George’s Hall, one of the rooms that was badly damaged by the fire and which traditionally plays host to state banquets.

The weather is expected to be balmy and clear, bathing the ancient stones of Windsor Castle in a beautiful spring light. Stars are flying in from Hollywood. Royal fans have been camping outside the castle for days. British police have stepped up security, with sniffer dogs, barricades and patrols all over town, a AP report says.

The wedding marks a new chapter in the storied British monarchy: The introduction of an American woman with a biracial background to its upper ranks. And there is every indication Markle has charmed the British public, making new fans each time she and Harry make a “walkabout” in a different part of the country.