UK: Prince Harry weds Meghan Markle

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON (AA) – Prince Harry and American actress Meghan Markle have tied the knot on Saturday in St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.

The bride arrived in a 1950 Rolls Royce just before midday to join Prince Harry for the royal wedding, which started with the arrival of Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh Prince Phillip.

Prince of Wales Prince Charles walked Meghan Markle who was wearing a white veil, down the aisle as her father could not travel from the U.S. due to health reasons.

Some 2,640 members of the public were invited by Prince Harry and Markle to witness the arrival and departure of the carriage carrying the couple.

Markle’s mother Doria Raglandwas present at the service, which was also attended by the other royal family members, dignitaries and celebrities, including talk show host Oprah Winfrey, actor Idris Elba, American tennis legend Serena Williams, George and Amal Clooney and David and Victoria Beckham.

Meghan Markle wore a wedding dress designed by Clare Waight Keller.

The congregation sang hymns and prayed for the couple before the King’s Quire sang Ben E. King’s "Stand by me".

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pronounced their wedding vows at the end of the ceremony before they were announced husband and wife by the archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.

Officially known as Prince Henry of Wales, Prince Harry, the sixth in line to the British throne, has been made the Duke of Sussex by the Queen, and American actress Meghan Markle, his wife, the Duchess of Sussex on Saturday before the wedding.

“The Queen today has been pleased to confer a Dukedom on Prince Henry of Wales. His titles will be Duke of Sussex, Earl of Dumbarton and Baron Kilkeel” a statement from Buckingham Palace read.

“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,” the statement added.Millions of people in Britain and across the globe tuned into the televised wedding and thousands gathered outside the Windsor Castle.

The ceremony was followed by the newlyweds’ procession.

The wedding is estimated to have cost around £35 million ($47 million).