Windsor — Prince Harry weds American actress Meghan Markle on Saturday in a lavish ceremony that
unites the pomp of British royalty with Hollywood glamour.
Hundreds of millions of people across the world are expected
to tune into watch the wedding of Queen Elizabeth's popular
grandson and the American star of the TV drama "Suits" at the
15th Century St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle.
More than 100,000 fans will cram the narrow streets of the
town 20 miles (30 km) west of London, dominated by the oldest
and largest inhabited castle in the world, a home to 39 English
monarchs since 1066.
"I love all the regalia, all the hoo-hahs, the procession
with the cavalry," said Jane Tofolo, 50, from southwest London,
who shook hands with Harry when he held an impromptu walkabout
with his brother and best man outside the castle on Friday
evening.
"It will be spectacular because us Brits do all that very
well."
Harry, 33, is sixth in line to the British throne. Markle,
36, is a divorcee whose mother is African-American and father is
white.
For many, the wedding is a fairytale. For some black
Britons, it illustrates the breakdown of barriers in modern
Britain.
To others, it is an irrelevance. Polls have suggested that
most Britons will not bother tuning in to watch the event.
The hour-long ceremony begins at 1100 GMT, with weather
forecasts predicting blue skies and sunshine.
The bride will arrive at the church with her mother, Doria
Ragland, 61, with whom she was spending Friday night at a luxury
hotel. Harry was staying at another hotel with elder brother and
best man Prince William, whose daughter Charlotte and son George
will be among the bridesmaids and page boys.
Harry's father and heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles will
walk his future daughter-in-law down the aisle after Markle's
father pulled out due to ill health.
Thomas Markle, 73, a lighting director for TV soaps and
sitcoms, told the U.S. celebrity website TMZ he had undergone
heart surgery on Wednesday. Confusion over his attendance marred
the build-up to the wedding, which had been carefully
choreographed for months by royal aides.
On Friday, Ragland met the 92-year-old monarch and her
husband Prince Philip, 96, who will be among the senior royals
in the 600-strong congregation. It will also include a
smattering of celebrities, including fellow cast members of
Markle from 'Suits'.