19 Most Iconic Pics Of Prince Harry And Meghan's Fairytale Royal Wedding

On May 19, the marriage of Prince Harry, of the British Royal Family, and Hollywood actress Meghan Markle took place at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. The excitement has been brewing inside of all of us for the past few months in anticipation of the grand worldly event. Yes, Harry is officially off the market to settle down with classy Meghan Markle.

What has caused such a stir about this Royal Wedding is the fact that the bride is unconventional and modern in every sense of the word. Plus, they just look like two people who are crazy in love and that is a beautiful thing.

Since the wedding aired during the early hours of the morning on a Saturday in the United States due to the time difference, we had to be up bright and early in order to watch it live on BBC. It was honestly hard to say whether we should've popped a bottle of champagne or brewed a pot of coffee!

Now we have iconic wedding pictures of the Royal Wedding to look back on. Here are the 19 most memorable moments of the 2018 Royal Wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry and Meghan!

19 The Magic Moment In Black And White

This is the iconic image that will go down in history. Perhaps it will even be seen as a digital time capsule for years to come. There is just something about black and white photos that make everything so timeless, classic, and nostalgic.

According to People, the photo was taken outside of Windsor Castle on the steps of the East Terrace; the shot captures them in their most candid moment. According to Yahoo, the bold black-and-white photo features Harry at his happiest, smiling ear-to-ear as he wraps one arm lovingly around his bride. Meghan sits in his lap in the most loving manner, as she looks off into the distance, and laughing merrily.

This intimate photo was taken by Alexi Lubomirski who was the same photographer the captured their engagement photos outside Frogmore House in Windsor late last year.

The Royals have always had intimate black and white photographs captured on their wedding days. Going back and taking a look at these images below certainly captures a piece of British history. It makes people feel as if they these high-society celebrities on a personal level because, at least in the UK, people simply cannot get enough of the Royal Family.

18 Greeting The Well-Wishers

Unlike the weddings of us common folk, the Royals get to have a massive audience (both in person and internationally, as the events are always televised). This can be daunting to a newcomer of the Royal Family. But Meghan Markle has gotten some training on what it's like to be a Royal before the glorious carriage ride - plus she was a Hollywood actress, after all.

The carriage pulled up to the chapel to “This Little Light of Mine” moments after the newlyweds shared their first kiss, according to Us Magazine. They waved to onlookers as they held each other's hands. It could not have been a more romantic moment for Harry and Meghan, and it was so adorable how they could not stop smiling from ear to ear.

The rest of the Royal Family partook in greeting the well-wishers, including Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. No matter how old they get, they just can't get enough of their people - and the people cannot get enough of them!

People who prefer the private, hermit life need not apply to be in the Royal Family because there is not one important moment that you don't get to share with the entire world. However, Meghan Markle seems to have the charisma to fit this role!

17 The Carriage Ride Straight Out Of A Fairytale

One of the most magical moments of the entire Royal Wedding was the sweet carriage ride. We have seen it in Disney movies, like with Cinderella, and now we are literally seeing it in real life (or via televised broadcasting). It's something of a dream-come-true, and we're certainly happy to have been there for it! (Virtually, that is.)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's most endearing moments came well after they gave their formal "I dos".

According to Good Housekeeping, the smitten newlyweds rode in a horse-drawn carriage through the streets of Windsor, in which they snuck in a second kiss, chatted about their need for a drink (Oh Royals, they're just like us!), and were just downright adorable.

According to Harper's Bazaar, "Prince Harry and Ms. Markle are very much looking forward to this part of the day," read a statement from the Palace about the carriage ride a few weeks ago. "It will be their chance to express their gratitude for the goodwill and warm wishes they have received from all quarters in the months since their engagement."

For this part of the ceremony, one cannot be shy of the public because this is the day that Royals share their most intimate and heart-warming moments with the entire world.

16 Revealing Of The Dress (Finally!)

This is the moment of the Royal Marriage that fashionistas all over the globe had been waiting for: the reveal of Meghan Markle's wedding dress. This was certainly a satisfying moment, as there were sketches and predictions going viral on what the soon-to-be Duchess of Sussex's bridal dress would look like.

After rumors pointed to Erdem, Alexander McQueen, and Ralph & Russo over the past few months, the bride finally decided to wear a Givenchy. The gown was simple and elegant, whereas many speculated that it would be decadent and "modern." The artistic director who designed her dress, Clare Waight Keller, was forced to keep hush-hush about her five-month-long design process, according to Harper's Bazaar.

As Metro UK reveals, the simple design featured expert tailoring, a sixteen-foot train adorned with the flowers of the 53 Commonwealth countries and an underskirt in triple silk organza.

In fact, the dress is speculated to have been almost triple the cost of Kate Middleton's. Kate's Alexander McQueen gown cost about £137,000 ($184,000) while Meghan Markle's is estimated to have cost £387,000 ($520,000). Either way… dear lord! You could buy a decent-sized house or condo with that amount of cash. However, Kate's parents fronted the bill for her dress, while the Royal Family most likely fronted Meghan's gown.

15 The Tiara Borrowed From Queen Elizabeth

In the Royal Family, only married women are allowed the privilege of wearing a tiara. And the first time that they get to wear a tiara is of course, on their wedding day. In other words, the first time that a Duchess (or noblewoman) gets to wear a tiara is a right of passage from maidenhood into marriage. Yes, that tradition is old fashioned and dates back to even medieval times, but it is still a sign of femininity nonetheless.

The Palace has confirmed that it is Queen Mary's diamond bandeau tiara, which Queen Elizabeth lent to Meghan, according to Town and Country.

"The diamond bandeau is English and was made in 1932, with the entre brooch dating from 1893," said a Tweet from Kensington Palace. This is so special for Meghan Markle to be granted the privilege to wear a family heirloom. Any gossip that suggests that the Queen does not approve of their marriage has certainly been discredited.

The tiara was worn by Princess Diana at her wedding to Prince Charles was similar, but it was not technically in the Royal collection because it belonged to the Spencers, Diana's family. She cannot own the tiara, but she had the option to wear it if she wanted to.

14 A Family Affair

The family photo of both the Royals and Meghan's own kin is touching. Photographed in the Green Drawing Room of Windsor Castle, Meghan - who has asserted with pride that she is a “strong, confident mixed-race woman”, according to Washington Post - sits with Harry, among all of their flower girls and ring-bearers. Below, Harry and Meghan stand among each of their families, and we see Meghan's mom front-and-center, next to the bride.

If you notice too, some of the flower children and kids that were part of the wedding are also of mixed race. While you would naturally expect the presence of Princess Charlotte and Prince George, there were also some children that are the sons and daughters of Meghan's close friends and relatives.

Mixed-race British Royals are rare enough that you have to go all the way back to the early 1800's to find a candidate; according to Washington Post, some historians believe that Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III, was of African descent.

In any case, it is beautiful to see that the Royal Family is becoming more and more diverse as times change. The historic photograph of the newly minted Duke and Duchess of Sussex is a testament to the historic nature of their union.

13 The Brothers All Dapper In Uniform

It is no doubt that Prince Harry and Prince William are not just brothers, but friends who have been by each other's side through thick and thin. It came as no surprise that they were each other's best men because there was simply no better choice and no competition.

As they were chatting with their fans outside the castle the evening before, they both hoped that they would get a good night's sleep before the big day. According to Yahoo, William and Harry greeted well-wishers outside Windsor Castle just a mere two hours before Harry married Meghan Markle. Harry wore a GQ grey jacket with a white button-up and slacks, while Will wore a navy blazer.

In fact, it isn't Royal tradition to have a "best man"; in England, this role is known as a "supporter."

However, the new generation once again decided to break Royal protocol and have a best man anyways.

Both Harry and William wore their uniforms, and who doesn't love a man in uniform, seriously? We got double the dose of a Royal smoke show while these two showed off their stuff in dapper apparel. This is one Royal protocol they did follow - to dress in uniform - and we have no complaints about that.

12 Her Mother's Support All The Way To The Church

Meghan Markle's mother was the only one in her immediate family that was able to make the Royal Wedding. Her father, Thomas Markle, could not make it because of an emergency back-surgery, which he had to get on May 16, 2018.

So, many eyes were on Doria Ragland, the 61-year-old yoga instructor from Culver City, California. Photographs of her and Meghan, pressed close to one another in a Rolls-Royce on the way to the chapel, show Doria trying on a regent's wave, smiling warmly but tentatively, according to The New Yorker.

This was so iconic because Doria is an African-American woman who doesn't come from privilege or wealth. Yet, she was seated opposite Queen Elizabeth, who is the heiress to an entire empire. Meghan Markle's roots are certainly making heads turn, and people are even more fascinated by this new addition to the Royal Family than they ever were before.

After her parents divorced at a young age, Meghan had spent most of her childhood being raised by her mother. According to The New Yorker, Meghan paid for her mother to attend graduate school after making her wealth as an actress, and has always admired her mother's "free spirit". Their relationship has always been loving and supportive.

11 The View Inside St. George's Chapel

St. George's Chapel has hosted Royal Weddings for centuries, so Prince Harry and Meghan pretty much had no other choice than to at least follow this tradition. St. George's Chapel is within the same grounds as Windsor Castle. According to The Mirror, it is considered one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in England with its elaborate stone fan vaulting.

It is hailed as being one of the best chapels in the entire world and is steeped in history.

It is the final resting place for many deceased monarchs and Royal Family members, including Henry VIII, Charles I, Jane Seymour, and Princess Margaret - as well as Harry's great-grandmother, the Queen Mother, whom he adored, according to The Mirror.

This is also the same chapel that Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles wed in 2005. In addition to Meghan and Harry's Royal Wedding, St. George's Chapel will also be the venue for Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank marriage this fall. (Princess Eugenie is the cousin of Prince Harry and Prince William).

St. George's Chapel is the most significant church and a landmark for the Royal Family. Weddings, christenings, and funerals have all taken place there.

10 The Exchange Of Vows

The exchange of vows is the moment everyone waits for during a wedding ceremony. It is the defining moment, when the marriage has been made official, and possibly the most nerve-racking part of the entire wedding. This is also the part where people must "speak now or forever hold their peace" if they have any objection to the union.

In true progressive form, Meghan opted out of the part where you say that you must "obey" your husband, just like Princess Diana and Kate Middleton did before her. At first, Harry said: “I Harry, take you, Meghan, to be my wife, to have and to hold from, this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part; according to God's holy law. In the presence of God I make this vow.'

According to Us Magazine, Meghan then replied: “I Meghan, take you, Harry, to be my husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part; according to God's holy law. In the presence of God I make this vow.”

9 So Crazy In Love Right Now

Photographer Yui Mok captured this intimate snapshot of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex during the carriage ride and it's now going viral, according to Good Housekeeping. We just can't get over the bird's eye view from up above, as Harry and Meghan make their way throughout the streets in their carriage.

Many adoring royal fans want to believe that this view reflects Princess Diana as an angel looking down on them and smiling.

"I was positioned on the roof of George IV Gateway of Windsor Castle, and they passed directly beneath me during their carriage procession," photographer Yui Mok tweeted. But what really caught people's attention was the unique shape of the couple's bodies: a heart. Mok claims it was purely a coincidence - but a history-making one at that, according to Good Housekeeping.

A body language expert even weighed in on the newlywed's gestures towards one another: "This is exactly what you want to see after a wedding," Susan Constantine, human behavioral expert and author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Reading Body Language told Good Housekeeping. "The way their bodies naturally turn toward one another indicates that this an emotional moment rather than an intentional one." Are you reaching for the tissues yet?

8 The Royal Family's Front Row Seats

Coming up with the Royal Wedding seating chart has to be such a daunting task since there are over 600 guests! It goes without saying that the Royal Family sits in the front row seats. What was quite surprising, though, was that Meghan Markle's mother, Doria Ragland, was seated in the second row. However, not much offense can be taken to that since Queen Elizabeth was also seated in the second row, opposite of Doria.

On one side of the chapel was Harry's family, crammed with the British aristocracy, while Meghan's guests included those in the celebrity world according to The Sun. According to Brides.com, the monarchy gets the full Royal treatment (pun intended) when it comes to mapping out a wedding, and the married couple received plenty of seating help from the Lord Chamberlain's Office.

Luckily, the seating logistics weren't quite as challenging as William and Kate's wedding were; there were 1,900 guests at their wedding in 2011 at Westminster Abbey! Her Majesty and Meghan's mother earned the best seats in the house for the wedding ceremony, right next to the altar. to get a full-on view of the new couple.

In any case, sitting in pews at weddings gets uncomfortable and everyone is just excited for the reception to follow!

7 Stepping Out Of The Chapel

When Prince Harry and Meghan exited St. George's Chapel, it was then time to make way for the famous carriage ride to greet onlookers. It was there that you could really see Meghan's dress train, which was over 16 feet long.

Walking out of the church has got to be a huge wave of euphoria for any newlyweds, but for the Royals, it has to be at least a million times that dosage.

The newlyweds emerged at the steps of St. George's Chapel and had a quick kiss -prompting a wave of applause from the gathered crowd, according to CBS News. On this walk, they could not have looked more in love with one another. Not to mention that the sunny weather in England could not have made for a more glorious day!

"Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God," people shouted as the procession came into view, according to CBS News. It was a sea of arms outstretched to capture photos and videos on cell phones. Children sat on their parents' shoulders to get a better view.

All in all, people are just going crazy over the new Royal couple. We will see what kind of legacy that they leave behind.

6 Precious Moments Uniting The Two Families

This was probably one of the most adorable moments: when Prince Charles had two ladies on each of his arms. There is his wife, Camilla Parker Bowles, on his left, and Doria Ragland, Markle's mother, on his right. This was a Kodak moment captured that really says a lot about the union of these two families.

Doria Ragland was the only one in Meghan' Markle's immediate family that attended the Royal Wedding. Thomas Markle Sr., Meghan's father was not in attendance, supposedly because he had emergency back surgery a few days before the wedding. There is also some tension between Markle and her half-siblings, Samantha Grant and Thomas Markle Jr. According to The Cut, Grant called Meghan a “social climber” and criticized Prince Harry for saying the Royals are the “family” Meghan has never had.

Thomas Markle Jr. even wrote a letter to Prince Harry warning him about Meghan, just weeks before the wedding. According to The Sun, he wrote: "Dear Prince Harry, It's not [too] late, Meghan Markle is obviously not the right woman for you. As more time passes to your Royal Wedding, it becomes very clear that this is the biggest mistake in Royal Wedding history. I'm confused why you don't see the real Meghan that the whole world now sees. Meghan's attempt to act the part of a princess like a below C average Hollywood actress is getting old." Hmmm, we wonder why they were not invited to the nuptials.

5 Kids On Parade

There were a total of six bridesmaids and four page-boys all under the age of eight at the Royal Wedding. It looks like the kids stole the show, with their innocent charm and eagerness to be a part of something that was so exciting.

The bridesmaids and page boys are the children of Meghan and Harry's closest friends, according to CBS News. Not all are Royalty, although there was a place for Harry's nephew, Prince George, and niece, Princess Charlotte.

Prince George, who is third in line for the throne, wore a black uniform-like outfit to match both his father's and Prince Harry's.

Princess Charlotte wore a lovely flower crown with a cream-colored dress that matched her mother's. Even though Charlotte is only three years old, she has been a bridesmaid twice. Once at this wedding, and once at her aunt Pippa Middleton's wedding, in 2017.

Other children who were part of the wedding were Florence van Custem (Harry's goddaughter), Zalie Warren (also Harry's goddaughter), Jasper Dyer (Harry's godson), Remi and Rylan Litt (Meghan's goddaughters), and the Mulroney kids (Ivy, John, and Brian, who are the daughter and sons of Meghan's stylist and friend, Jessica Mulroney, as well as the grandchildren of former Canadian Prime Minister).

4 Time For The Reception

Everyone knows that there needs to be a reception after a wedding. For celebrity and Royal Weddings, that means that the bride has more than one dress, for both the ceremony and reception. The reception dress isn't quite as formal as the ceremony dress, but it is still chic and beautiful, nonetheless.

The wedding reception was held at Frogmore House, hosted by Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, and *gasp* Meghan made a toast at her own wedding, according to Harper's Bazaar. In true feminist form, she took the place of the best man (Prince William) and gave a speech at her very own wedding. Wouldn't you love to be a fly on the wall while this was going down? Imagine all the tears and heartfelt sentiments going on!

Referring to the dissolution of her first marriage, the bride also was reported by Harper's Bazaar to say in front of the 200 guests that finding love was "worth the wait." She told him that she knew he was "the one," and that she could not wait to start their next chapter together. She also thanked her mother and her in-laws for all their love and support. Meghan is truly one ballsy woman.

3 Mommy-And-Me Moment

Weddings are always a fun time for some of the guests to capture family moments. What is the British equivalent of the "First Family" is none other than Prince William and Kate Middleton's brood. What could have been more adorable than seeing Princess Charlotte in a flower crown looking ethereal and innocent?

Charlotte has really mastered the art of Royal hand-waving and never fails to charm those around her with her childlike charisma.

Unfortunately, there was one family member missing: Prince Louis. Since he was literally born weeks before the wedding, it is safe to assume that he was left at home with the nannies. The kids were photographed with Kate as they prepared to make their way down the aisle at St. Mark's Church in Englefield, according to People.

Before Meghan made her big debut as the bride inside of St. George's Chapel, Charlotte became the center of attention in the matching cream-colored dress with her mama. Kate Middleton wore a hat that resembled a bed of white roses and seemed to have that post-pregnancy glow leftover from recently giving birth to Prince Louis. The mother-daughter duo had a picture perfect moment that will definitely be an unforgettable moment in that family's history.

2 Michael Curry, The Bishop Who Defied Royal Convention

Bishop Michael Curry gave a powerful and moving sermon at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle on the wedding day of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. You could really see how visibly moved some of the wedding guests were, and even he was oblivious to what a profound impact that he had on the entire audience.

The 27th Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church, spoke about the "power of love", according to NZ City. Curry began and ended his speech with quotes from Martin Luther King: "We must discover the power of love, the power, the redemptive power of love. And when we discover that we will be able to make of this old world a new world."

His speech was followed by a stunning gospel rendition of 'Stand By Me' before Harry and Meghan exchanged vows. When he found out that he was being invited by the Archbishop of Canterbury to speak at the wedding in England, he was shocked. He even said that he did not believe at first that the invitation was real. "I said, 'Get out of here. Is this some April Fools kind of thing?'" he said with a laugh, according to Town & Country. 

1 The Hollywood Guest List

The Royal Wedding was not just an occasion to celebrate the Royal Family, but a chance for many celebrities in the Western world to make an appearance. In fact, this was such an extravaganza that people could just not get over the fashion and the hats that were adorned by starlets, actors, and professional athletes from around the globe.

The guest list includes George and Amal Clooney, David and Victoria Beckham, Elton John (who performed at the after party), Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian, Oprah Winfrey, Idris Elba, James Blunt, Tom Hardy, Carey Mulligan, Priyanka Chopra and the entire cast of Suits to name a few.

The most surprising guests that were invited were actually Prince Harry's exes, Chelsy Davy and Cressida Bonas.

Both women were said to have remained on good terms with him and continued a platonic friendship. Prince William reportedly invited five of his exes on his wedding in 2011, so I guess the whole "being friends with your ex" runs in the family.

What we still can't seem to get over is the stunning hats that the women wore in true British fashion. In America, we just have the Kentucky Derby. But in Britain, hats are a national pastime for formal events.

References: Style Bistro, BBC, livingly.com, People, Town & Country, Good Housekeeping, Harper's Bazaar, Metro UK, Washington Post, Harper's Bazaar, NZ City, Town and Country, People, Harpers Bazaar, Us Magazine, New Yorker, The Mirror, Us Magazine, Brides, CBS News, CBS News, The Cut, The Sun