Royal Wedding: Ceremony Kicks Off As Meghan Markle Arrives & World Watches

Royal Wedding: Ceremony Kicks Off As Meghan Markle Arrives & World Watches

Refresh for latest…: At 11:20AM UK time, the world got a quick glimpse at Meghan Markle who is marrying Prince Harry this afternoon in a royal wedding being watched around the globe. Markle was in the back of a Rolls Royce Phantom 4, seated next to her mother, and was visibly grinning under her veil — this was about 40 minutes before the ceremony which began at noon.

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Royal Wedding: Ceremony Kicks Off As Meghan Markle Arrives & World Watches

Markle was later spotted driving down the long road to St George’s chapel as a crowd of 100K cheered her along. Her intended arrived in the packed chapel (where he was baptized as a baby) at about 11:35AM with his brother, and Best Man, Prince William. They were followed by Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles, and in short order by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.

Markle arrived in earnest right on time and wearing a long-sleeved simple, elegant Givenchy dress with a very long veil (reportedly is embroidered with the flora of each of the 53 Commonwealth countries) and Queen Mary’s diamond bandeau tiara. She was greeted in the church by Prince Charles whom the former Suits star had asked to walk her down the aisle in the absence of her father who recently underwent heart surgery.

The first hymn was “Lord Of All Hopefulness” and when Harry and Meghan were asked if they took one another, Harry’s “I will” elicited laughter from the congregation (unclear why at this point, but they were both beaming). After the exchange, Harry’s Aunt, Lady Jane Fellowes, who is the older sister of his mother Princess Diana, gave a reading.

She was followed by the Most Reverend Michael Curry, who is the first black presiding bishop of the Episcopal church in the States. He quoted Martin Luther King Jr: “We must discover the power of love, the power, the redemptive power of love and when we do that we will make of this old world a new world.” The enthusiastic reverend charmed the onlookers including Oprah Winfrey, David Beckham, Elton John and more. The TV feed we’re getting in France is cutting often to the celeb attendees (none of whom are allowed to have cell phones on them).

A choir sang the BB King classic “Stand By Me” before Harry and Meghan exchanged vows and were officially proclaimed husband and wife.

Check back for more highlights from the ceremony.