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Royal Wedding 2018: From the dress to the kiss – every detail you need to know

Plus where to see it all LIVE

The royal wedding of a British prince and an American star is less than a week away.

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So New Idea has compiled a list of every detail we know about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s high profile nuptials so far.

The wedding of the century will take place on Saturday in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle – and you can see every detail as it unfolds on New Idea’s LIVE stream.

Keep reading and prepare for wedding fever.

https://www.newidea.com.au/royal-wedding-live-coverage-2018
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Best man

The Duke of Cambridge, of course, will be best man for his younger brother Harry.

He will deliver a speech at the reception and be in charge of the rings.

William, president of the Football Association, is missing the FA Cup final in favour of the celebrations.

Bridesmaids and pageboys

Meghan’s gaggle of helpers are all children – with Prince George and Princess Charlotte looking certain to be among them.

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There is no maid of honour as Meghan did not want to choose just one person out of her close group of friends.

The night before

Meghan and Harry are keeping to tradition by spending the night before their wedding apart.

Royal Wedding 2018 LIVE: From the dress to the kiss – every detail you need to know
(Credit: PA)

Dress

The design and designer will be kept secret – even from Harry – until the moment Meghan emerges in her gown on the way to the chapel.

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But experts are tipping British designers Ralph & Russo will be the ones to dress the bride on the big day.

Grounds of Windsor

Some 1,200 specially selected members of the public – including charity and community heroes – have been invited into the grounds of the castle from 9am to picnic and watch the royal couple arrive, and leave for their carriage procession.

Timings

The congregation will start arriving from 9.30am, and the royals from 11.20am.

The service begins at 12 noon and the newlyweds will emerge from the chapel at 1pm.

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Harry and William’s arrival

The brothers will arrive at the West Steps, walking past the hundreds of spectators invited into the Lower Ward, as well as greeting representatives from Harry’s charities.

Mother of the Bride

Doria Ragland will travel by car with her daughter to Windsor Castle on the morning of the wedding, before exchanging places with the bridesmaids and pageboys and entering the chapel through the Galilee Porch.

Father of the bride

Thomas Markle was due to walk his daughter down the aisle, meeting her at the vast West Steps of the gothic church. However shock reports on Monday said he will no longer attend.

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‘This is a deeply personal moment for Ms. Markle in the days before her wedding,’ a Kensington Palace spokesman said in a statement. ‘She and Prince Harry ask again for understanding and respect to be extended to Mr. Markle in this difficult situation.’

Royal Wedding 2018 LIVE: From the dress to the kiss – every detail you need to know
(Credit: PA)

Flowers

The chapel will be filled with white garden roses, peonies and foxgloves, with branches of beech, birch and hornbeam, carefully crafted by floral designer Philippa Craddock.

It’s likely that Meghan’s bouquet will include myrtle – a tradition for royal brides.

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Guests

Kensington Palace is not releasing an official guest list. Some 600 guests will be in St George’s and 200 of those will party into the night at the reception in nearby Frogmore House.

No politicians

Neither Donald Trump, Barack Obama nor Canadian PM Justin Trudeau will be there and neither will Prime Minister Theresa May as aides have said the wedding is not a state occasion.

Royal Wedding 2018 LIVE: From the dress to the kiss – every detail you need to know
Kate also carried myrtle in her wedding bouquet (Credit: PA)

The Spencers

The siblings of Harry’s late mother Diana, Princess of Wales will be guests – Earl Spencer, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, and Lady Jane Fellowes.

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Lady Jane will give a reading.

Music

Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, the gospel Kingdom Choir founded and directed by Karen Gibson, Baroque specialist trumpeter David Blackadder and soprano Elin Manahan Thomas will be among those providing the music which will echo around the 15th century church.

Kiss

The bride and groom’s appearance on the West Steps, surrounded by their families, will be their “balcony moment” – the most likely opportunity for a public kiss.

Royal Wedding 2018 LIVE: From the dress to the kiss – every detail you need to know
(Credit: PA)
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Carriage ride

Just after 1pm, the couple will be waved off by members of the royal family and head on a 25-minute carriage ride through the town in the Ascot Landau, with military representatives lining the streets.

Lunchtime reception

This will be in the magnificent St George’s Hall at Windsor Castle.

The Queen is hosting the gathering for the 600-strong congregation.

Downtime

Those heading to the reception in the evening will have the chance to rest in the late afternoon and change before the reception begins at 7pm.

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Meghan could switch outfits for the evening, like the Duchess of Cambridge did at her wedding.

Cake

The official wedding cake is a lemon elderflower wedding cake decorated with buttercream icing and fresh flowers.

It is being made by Claire Ptak, owner of the trendy, organic Violet Bakery in Hackney, east London.

Royal Wedding 2018 LIVE: From the dress to the kiss – every detail you need to know
(Credit: PA)
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Photographer

Fashion photographer Alexi Lubomirski, who took the couple’s engagement pictures, has been chosen to capture the big day as the official wedding photographer.

Royal baby

Prince Louis will not be there, but his mother the Duchess of Cambridge will be attending.

Duke of Edinburgh

The palace is hoping that 96-year-old Philip, who is recovering from a hip operation, can make it to the ceremony, but his presence is not yet confirmed.

Around the town

Royal fans descending on Windsor will be greeted by a party atmosphere.

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Food stalls and facilities, including big screens showing live footage of the wedding and the procession, will be in place in the Long Walk and in Alexandra Gardens. 

Royal Wedding 2018 LIVE: From the dress to the kiss – every detail you need to know
(Credit: Alexi Lubomirski/via PA)

What is still to be announced?

Kensington Palace has still to name the bridesmaids and pageboys, reveal details of the rings, the hairdresser, and release information about Harry’s uniform.

It has not yet been disclosed where Meghan will be staying the night before her wedding – but the reception venue, Frogmore House, is thought a likely option.

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Order of Service

The full Order of Service will be published on the morning of the wedding.

Titles

Any titles given to Harry – which will most likely include a dukedom – by the Queen will be announced by Buckingham Palace the same morning.

Honeymoon

The destination is a secret, but Harry and Meghan will not be leaving straight away.

They will be back on royal duty, carrying out their first engagement as a married couple the week after they tie the knot.

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The couple will continue to live at Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace following their marriage.

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