Kensington Palace Unveils More Details About Upcoming Royal Wedding
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Kensington Palace is revealing more details about the upcoming royal wedding.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will tie the knot on May 19 during a noon ceremony (7 a.m. EST) at Saint George's Chapel, a 15th century church on the grounds of Windsor Palace.
Harry's grandmother, Queens Elizabeth II, has given permission for them to use the venue.
The 700-year-old chapel has an equally long history of royal weddings. Most recently Prince Charles walked down the ancient aisle to get his marriage to Camilla Parker Bowles blessed in 2005.
The ceremony will be officiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury before an expected crowd of 800 friends and family. The list is still private but royal correspondent Roya Nikkah has disappointing news for President Donald Trump.
"We know there will be about 800 people there; probably the Obamas because they've become very close friends with Harry through his work with Invictus and their charitable foundation. Not Donald Trump we hear," Nikkah said.
After the ceremony, the newlyweds will take a two-mile horse and carriage ride through the town of Windsor so the public can take part in their special day.
"They hope this short journey will provide an opportunity for more people to come together around Windsor and to enjoy the atmosphere of this special day," Kensington Palace tweeted Monday.
After leaving the chapel the newlyweds will travel along the town's main street and then down the so-called "Long Walk" before arriving back at Windsor Castle.
"They want to be able to give the public a chance to share their celebrations with them, be part of the day that was very important to Harry and Meghan when they first got engaged," Nikkah said.
It's a royal procession similar to the wedding of Queen Elizabeth's youngest son, Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex in 1999. Carriage rides are a royal tradition. Prince William and Kate rode in one after their 2011 ceremony, as did Prince Charles and Lady Diana before them.
There will be a reception at St George's Hall for the couple and guests from the congregation followed by a private reception in the evening for close family and friends.
The royal couple aren't sticking with all tradition. They're having their wedding on a Saturday instead of a Friday so more of the public can attend. There will also be no kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
Harry and Markle announced their engagement publicly in November after dating for about a year and a half.
Markle will become a British citizen and also be baptized in the Church of England.
Harry is fifth in line to the throne.
The couple plans to live in Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace.
