Britain counts down to Royal wedding

On the day of the wedding, guests will start arriving from around 9:00 am for the service at St George’s Chapel in the grounds of the castle at 12:00. The couple have 600 wedding guests with a further 1,200 people, chosen because of their strong leadership and community service, invited into the castle grounds to join the celebrations.

Prince Harry and William’s father, Prince Charles, will walk the bride down the aisle after it was revealed that her own father was unable to attend the wedding on health grounds.

Kensington Palace said the Prince of Wales was “pleased to be able to welcome Ms Markle to the Royal Family in this way”.

Prince Harry’s niece, three-year-old Princess Charlotte, will be one of six bridesmaids and his nephew, four-year-old Prince George, will be a pageboy alongside three others.

After the service, the newlyweds will lead a carriage procession through the town of Windsor, where the waiting public can get a glimpse of the couple. They have chosen to travel in an open-topped Ascot Landau carriage, which is used in official and ceremonial state events.

After the procession, the first reception will be hosted by the Queen at St George’s Hall at Windsor Castle for the 600 guests. This will be followed by a second reception for the newlyweds and 200 close family and friends, hosted by the Prince of Wales, at Frogmore House, also in Windsor.

Harry, 33, is a former Army officer and Markle, 36, is best known for her role in the US TV legal drama Suits. The couple announced their engagement in November last year.