While Meghan Markle prepares for the royal wedding on Saturday (May 19), her Suits family has arrived in London to celebrate their former co-star’s big day. First, her onscreen husband, played by Patrick J. Adams, touched down in England with his wife, Troian Bellisario, posting from The Royal Standard of England. It was previously reported that Adams is just one of about 25 people from Suits who have been invited to the big day, and in fact, a few of her former costars—Gina Torres, Sarah Rafferty, and Rick Hoffman—sat down with Today to discuss the event of the year.
“I hope, as we all do, nothing but the best for her. This is an incredible step in her life, so to bear witness to that is extraordinary,” Torres said. All three actors also revealed they knew about Markle and Prince Harry’s relationship before the general public did, but admitted that there were very few details shared. Hoffman, who plays Louis Litt on the show, says that he found out “quite early” and could not keep his cool. “It was both of us in a trailer and I was like, ‘Oh my! You’re going to be dating a prince?! And then I was just like, ‘Take it slow, be careful, don’t let him hurt you.'”
Rafferty referred to herself, Markle, and Torres as the “sister wives” and explained that the whole cast has a familial bond. “We were with each other longer than we went to college, longer than we were in high school, so we became family in some way,” she said. “We’re still family. So this is a nice family affair.”
Though the cast is invited to partake in the ceremony at St. George’s Chapel and the luncheon hosted by Queen Elizabeth II, they are reportedly not invited to the more exclusive reception, hosted by Prince Charles at Frogmore House. The decision was reportedly based on the couple’s “new life” as verified royals. “[The cast is] important to her, but she has a new inner circle of friends,” one source told Us Weekly. “The afternoon reception is for Meghan and Harry’s old circle and the evening establishes their new circle.”
Watch Markle’s former costars talk about the bride-to-be, below.
As we, the enthusiastically vigilant royal wedding watchers here at Glamour.com, have touched on before, there’s a whole lot of drama going down regarding the presence of Meghan Markle‘s father, Thomas Markle Sr., on the big day. The key point is that he will no longer be attending the royal wedding: He’s in recovery following heart surgery on Wednesday. While it’s wonderful that the surgery seems to have gone well, it must be sad for Meghan that he won’t be at her wedding to walk her down the aisle, per the original plan announced May 4 by Kensington Palace. (There’s a whole lot more going on beyond that, including faked paparazzi photos—do feel free to sit yourself down with a massive cup of coffee to get through it all.)
“Sadly, my father will not be attending our wedding,” Meghan said in a statement released by Kensington Palace. “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. Please know how much Harry and I look forward to sharing our special day with you on Saturday.”
Never fear, however: Someone has swooped in to walk Meghan down the aisle—and it’s not who you might expect.
On Friday morning, according to The Guardian, Kensington announced that Harry’s father Charles, Prince of Wales, will accompany Markle down the aisle. Apparently she asked him to fill in after her father confirmed he’d be unable to do so himself.
“The Prince of Wales is pleased to be able to welcome Ms Markle to the royal family in this way,” the palace said in a statement.
Other good news: Prince Harry’s grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh—a.k.a. Philip, a.k.a. Queen Elizabeth’s husband—will be able to attend the wedding. The 96-year-old royal has been in recovery from a hip operation.
It’s all happening. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have officially arrived at Windsor Castle ahead of the royal wedding, and the excitement is palpable.
The soon-to-be-wed couple was spotted in a car pulling into the castle on Thursday, E! reports. This is the first time Markle and Prince Harry have been seen together since their most recent public engagement, in April, though they’ve understandably had a hectic month leading up to the big day. Markle wore a cream-colored blouse, diamond earrings, and (of course) her iconic engagement ring, as she smiled and waved at fans. Prince Harry sat by her side. Prince William and Kate Middleton rode together in a nearby car, driven by William himself. Royals: They’re just like us!
Check out the pics of them arriving for yourself, below:
PHOTO: Media-Mode / Splash News
PHOTO: Mirrorpix / MEGA TheMegaAgency.com
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With less than 48 hours to go before the wedding takes place, the royal family appears to be in full prep mode. Though this week has had its fair share of headline-making drama—most of it related to Markle’s father—the entire wedding party looked calm, cool, and collected rolling into the estate.
Though they arrived at the venue together, Prince Harry and Markle will be taking some time apart before exchanging their vows. Per tradition, they will stay in separate accommodations the night before the wedding, with Prince Harry and Prince William at the Coworth Park Hotel in Berkshire, 15 minutes away, and Markle and her mom, Doria Ragland, at the Cliveden House Hotel, 25 minutes away.
Though St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle is undoubtedly a stunning space for a royal wedding (or any wedding, for that matter), it actually wasn’t the couple’s first choice. They had reportedly initially wanted to host their nuptials at Frogmore House, where they took their engagement photos, but it was reportedly vetoed by the rest of the royal family. Given what we know about the flowers, cake, and venue in general, though, there is no doubt that Saturday’s event at Windsor Castle will be beautiful.
Today’s biggest royal wedding update—aside from the ongoing saga with Meghan Markle’s dad, of course—comes straight from the palace, which officially confirmed the entourage of 10 pageboys and bridesmaids who will be leading the way for Markle as she heads down the aisle on May 19.
There will be six bridesmaids and four pageboys—all children seven years old or younger. Not surprisingly, Prince Harry’s niece and nephew—Princess Charlotte, 3, and Prince George, 4—will take starring roles in their respective groups. After all, they have experience: They were bridesmaid and pageboy at aunt Pippa Middleton’s wedding last summer.
As for the rest of the gang, the bridesmaids will include two of Prince Harry’s goddaughters. First up is Zalie Warren, who is two years old and has a twin, according to the Mirror. (Her twin sister, India, isn’t a goddaughter of Harry’s and therefore will not be a bridesmaid.) Zalie is the daughter of Zoe Warren and the Queen’s racing manager John Warren—who himself is a godchild of the late Princess Diana.
There’s also Florence van Cutsem—another of Harry’s goddaughters—who is three years old. She’s the daughter of Alice van Cutsem and Nicolas van Cutsem, a friend of Harry’s since childhood. Florence is the cousin of Grace Van Cutsem, the adorably grumpy little girl who went viral at Will and Kate’s 2011 wedding:
PHOTO: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images
Markle also has two goddaughters as bridesmaids: Remi, 6, and Rylan Litt, 7. They’re the daughters of Darren and Benita Litt, the latter of whom is a brand curator/bag designer based in L.A.
Joining the squad is Ivy Mulroney, 4, pictured below. She’s the child of two of Markle’s closest friends: Canadian stylist Jessica Mulroney and her husband, Ben, whose father is the former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. (Ben himself is a TV host.)
Along with Prince George, Harry’s godson, 6-year-old Jasper Dyer, will be a pageboy. Dyer is the son of Amanda Dyer and Mark Dyer. Mark is a former equerry (officer of the British royal household) to Prince Charles and is often referred to as Harry’s “second dad.”
Also joining the fun are Ivy Mulroney’s brothers: Brian and John Mulroney, both 7. (You can see both in the Instagram below.)
And, because they’re just too cute, here’s a photo of all those Mulroney kids together:
Adorable, no? We can’t wait to see these kids in action on the big day.
Back in 2011, I arrived in London a week before Prince William and Kate Middleton’s royal wedding and found my first souvenir of their big day at the entrance to the Underground: Transport for London had released a batch of limited edition Oyster cards (a pass used for public transportation) that featured an engagement photo of the happy couple. This time around, though, as William’s brother Prince Harry prepares to marry American actress Meghan Markle on May 19, no commemorative travel cards are being issued—a small but telling sign of how different this wedding will likely be from the one that took place seven years ago.
It’s natural to compare the two occasions: Before William and Kate exchanged vows, the last major royal wedding to capture the public’s attention so spectacularly was that of Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer in 1981. But there’s a lot of key differences between the two, especially in the tone and atmosphere. Prince William, as the second in line to the throne, had much more responsibilities, which played out on his wedding day in the guests, formalities, and traditions that were expected to be followed. But from the moment Harry and Meghan’s engagement was announced, the two have expressed their wish to make this day their own. “This wedding, like all weddings, will be a moment of fun and joy that will reflect the characters and values of the bride and groom,” Kensington Palace said in a statement.
Here, the biggest differences between the two royal weddings you can expect to see.
PHOTO: Paul Gilham
The scene outside Prince William and Kate Middleton’s 2011 wedding.
The Day
Prince William’s ceremony was on a Friday (April 29), which followed the long-held tradition of royal weddings taking place on a weekday. And, because of this, the day became an official bank holiday—meaning many people got the day off work, something that certainly improved attitudes toward the royal family. Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding, however, breaks with the tradition: It’s on a Saturday (May 19). It also takes place on the same date as a major sporting event: the FA Cup soccer (or football, if you prefer) tournament. Prince William, who’s president of the Football Association, will be missing it to be the best man at Harry’s wedding.
PHOTO: Epics
The interior of St. George’s Chapel, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are getting married.
The Location
Getting married at Westminster Abbey, one of the U.K.’s oldest churches with a history stretching back over a thousand years, gave Will and Kate’s day a grandiosity that simply won’t be part of Harry and Meghan’s. The latter have scaled down a bit, opting instead for the intimate St. George’s Chapel nestled within the grounds of Windsor Castle. St. George’s only holds about 800 people, compared to Westminster’s 2,000.
PHOTO: WPA Pool
Prince William and Kate Middleton wed in 2011 at Westminster Abbey.
The Guests
Because Prince Harry is sixth in line to the throne, he’s not expected to include all the dignitaries that his brother had to. In other words, President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Theresa May are not invited. Instead, guests at Harry and Meghan’s wedding will be people who have a relationship with the couple—friends like Priyanka Chopra. (Rihanna, though, will not be there.) 600 guests have reportedly been invited to the ceremony and the lunchtime reception, with only 200 close family and friends attending a party hosted later that night by Prince Charles at Frogmore House. (Prince Charles also hosted an evening party for William.) Additionally, thousands of people—including charity workers, school children, and Windsor residents—have been invited to watch the arrival and departure of the bride and groom.
PHOTO: Rob Ball
Crowds gather outside Westminster Abbey for a view of William and Kate’s royal wedding.
The Spectators
As for the greater public, Kensington Palace has confirmed there will be large screens in Windsor to watch the event, as well as a number of viewing areas and decorations. No doubt many of the royal fans who flocked to London for William and Kate will be there to celebrate—after all, dozens set up tents and camped out ahead of April 29, 2011 event. This time, though, there might be slightly less enthusiastic die-hards: Windsor’s council has advised that camping is forbidden, and tents along the procession route have also been banned.
PHOTO: Chris Jackson
Kate Middleton’s dress was designed by Sarah Burton.
The Dress
Like Kate did in 2011, Meghan is keeping mum on the designer and details of the dress she’ll be saying her vows in. That said, sources claim Ralph & Russo, who made her stunning engagement dress, will be behind her gown. Meghan will likely be wearing two dresses—one for the wedding ceremony, and one for the evening celebration—as Kate did. And just like Kate, the Queen will see the dress before the groom following royal protocol.
PHOTO: WPA Pool
William and Kate’s wedding cake.
The Cake
In what’s being seen as a reflection of their modern views, Meghan and Prince Harry have commissioned Claire Ptak, owner of London-based Violet Bakery, to make a lemon elderflower cake with buttercream frosting and decorated with fresh flowers. This is in place of the traditional fruitcake that’s been at many a royal wedding before, including Kate and William’s. They had an eight-tier one—along with a chocolate biscuit groom’s cake.
PHOTO: WPA Pool
THE BALCONY KISS
The Photo Opps
For all its formalities, Kate and William’s 2011 wedding left us with a fairytale image: that kiss on the balcony. But location logistics means this moment is unlikely to happen for Harry and Meghan. Instead, they’ll take a short carriage ride, from St. George’s Chapel through Windsor Town and back after the ceremony. Still, we’ll surely get something iconic.
PHOTO: OLI SCARFF
Harry and Meghan “free spirit” mugs.
The Souvenirs
Although there won’t be any travel cards bearing the faces of Harry and Meghan, the couple will get a special commemorative five-pound coin, just asWilliam and Kate did. And walking the streets of London, there are still plenty of other trinkets to be found marking Harry and Meghan’s upcoming nuptials, including plates and mugs with their faces on them. And, as a further indication of the welcome change Meghan seems to be ushering in, local artist Emma Bridgewater has created Harry and Meghan mugs with the words “game-changers” and “free spirits” written on them.
It seems safe to say that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will be residing in fancy digs for the rest of their lives. Before they were engaged, the couple stayed in a cute cottage on the Kensington Palace grounds; after they tie the knot on May 19, it’s rumored they’ll move into a posh apartment adjacent to Prince William and Kate Middleton’s residence. They have all these opulent properties at their fingertips, and the night before their wedding will be no exception: Markle and Prince Harry are reportedly opting to stay in some very nice hotels ahead of the event.
A royals expert named Omid Scobie tweeted the scoop on Monday, May 14. “#RoyalWedding news! The night before their wedding, #HarryandMeghan will stay at separate hotels around Windsor: Harry will stay at the @CoworthParkUK with Prince William. Meghan and mom Doria Ragland will stay at @Cliveden_House on the National Trust’s Cliveden Estate,” he tweeted. Check it out for yourself, below:
Both Coworth Park and Cliveden Estate are luxurious, five-star hotels located near St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, where Markle and Prince Harry will have their ceremony. A basic room at Coworth Park is roughly $432 a night, while the accommodations at Cliveden run about $445 a night. That’s a steep price, I know, but if you have cash to spare your Meghan Markle Experience is just two clicks away—well, and a flight if you’re not in the London area.
For those of us who don’t have $500 lying around, though, we can live vicariously through Coworth Park and Cliveden Estate’s Instagram accounts:
Where Prince Harry will be spending his night.
Where Markle is spending hers.
It’s cool, guys. I’m more than content in my shoebox apartment.
