The royal wedding: How it unfolded

It was a royal wedding like no other: A gospel choir sang, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was quoted in a rousing address and a young couple was united in a marriage that will change a venerable institution forever.

The marriage of the sixth-in-line to the throne to Meghan Markle, a biracial American, saw the British monarchy transform into something more representative of its people than it has been before.

On the cobbled streets of Windsor, among the snaking river of people who turned out to celebrate, there was a sense from many that the newest member of the royal family had reinvigorated “The Firm.”

Read more from CNN’s Aimee Lewis here.

The Duchess of Sussex changed dresses for the evening reception. She’s wearing a lily white, high-neck gown made of silk crepe and designed by Stella McCartney, according to Kensington Palace.

Meghan’s silky satin shoes are from Aquazurra. The soles are painted in baby blue.

McCartney, the 46-year-old daughter of Paul McCartney, is one of the most renowned and respected female designers in the notoriously male-dominated world of luxury womenswear.

Oprah Winfrey and Amal Clooney both wore Stella McCartney to the wedding ceremony this afternoon.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex just left Windsor Castle. They’re on their way to an evening reception for around 200 friends and family hosted by Prince Charles, Harry’s father.

Prince Harry is driving the couple to the reception at Frogmore House in a silver blue Jaguar E-Type Concept Zero.

According to Kensington Palace, the vehicle was originally manufactured in 1968, but has since been converted to electric power.

Tennis superstar Serena Williams, a close friend of bride Meghan, posted a photo of herself in her evening dress:

She attended the wedding ceremony for the the Duke and Duchess of Sussex earlier today wearing a pink fitted dress.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not depart for their honeymoon immediately after the wedding. Instead, they will undertake a public engagement in the week after the ceremony, according to Kensington Palace.

So where will they eventually honeymoon? There’s no official word, but there is a long list of locations suggested as possible destinations, including…

In a stirring?royal wedding?address, the African-American leader of the Episcopal Church quoted Martin Luther King Jr. and spoke passionately about the power of love.

Delivered with Harry and Meghan – and the rest of the royal family – looking on, the impassioned speech was one of several standout moments from the ceremony, breaking with the usual somber atmosphere and traditional music and language used in previous royal weddings.

If you missed the speech, you can read the full thing here.

CNN’s royal correspondent Max Foster was at the royal wedding carriage procession this afternoon. He says he told CNN anchor Anderson Cooper to give Prince Harry a wave as the newlywed coupled passed by.

Check out the photographic result:

Beaming from ear to ear, Manchester bombing survivor Amelia Thompson sat down with CNN to talk about what it was like to attend the royal wedding (and even grab a moment with David Beckham himself!).

When asked about what it meant to be invited she said:

Watch her below:

Americans are probably more accustomed to seeing fabulous hats and fascinators at the Kentucky Derby than at a wedding. But that’s how the British roll.

Friends, family members and famous faces turned out in a plethora of colorful and elaborate headpieces for the royal nuptials.

“A hat is not protection for the head, it’s a demonstration of the soul. Every nuance of style, shape, color betrays the ambitions and status of its wearer. It may be a pretty scene, but it’s also cruelly revealing,” Stephen Bayley, a tastemaker and design expert, told CNN.

Take a look at some of the most stunning fashion statements on display today.

Lady Kitty Spencer opted for a refined teal green fascinator with a knotted sculptural feature.

Actresses Abigail Spencer and Priyanka Chopra arrive wearing shades of blue and purple -- popular spring-time colors at this year's royal wedding.

Oprah Winfrey wore a 70s inspired wide-brimmed hat by Philip Treacy.

Royal watchers in Windsor are starting to make their way home but that doesn’t mean that they’ll be leaving the town anytime soon.

By the looks of the line outside one of the nearby train stations, they could be waiting for a while.

Two of those waiting to depart are Adella and Layla who came over especially for the royal nuptials from Tampa, Florida. They made the journey across the pond because they loved Harry’s mother, Diana.

“Diana is why we are here,” Adella said. “I’m glad we came, it had been a fantastic day.”

Adella, pictured left, and Layla, right, traveled to Windsor from Florida for the big day.

Another pair reflecting on the day are Tiful and her mother, Monica. Tiful came all the way from Chicago, while her mom traveled from Cameroon. When asked why they came so far, Tifuh said: “Why not? It has been fantastic. We’ve had a wonderful day.”

Tiful, left and her mother, Monica, right, traveled from the US and Cameroon respectively to be part of Prince Harry and Meghan's day.

Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex wave from the Ascot Landau Carriage during their carriage procession on the Long Walk as they head back towards Windsor Castle in Windsor, on May 19, 2018 after their wedding ceremony.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were married at a noon (7 a.m. ET) ceremony at?St. George’s Chapel?in the grounds of?Windsor Castle.

Their first reception started at 2 p.m. (9 a.m. ET). Hosted by Queen Elizabeth, the lunchtime soirée at St. George’s Hall in Windsor Castle featured champagne, canapés and music from Elton John.

Tonight, they’ll head to their second reception. It’s being held off the Windsor Castle grounds, at a country property nearby, Frogmore House. We’ll see Harry and Meghan travel to this party, which starts at 7 p.m. (2 p.m. ET)

The evening reception, hosted my Prince Charles, will be much smaller, with about 200 guests. But don’t expect many details: Nothing is going to be reported from it. In other words, it’s like a black hole in royal history, CNN’s Max Foster explains.

And Harry is a bit of a party animal — so expect it to go late into the night, Foster added.

The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, will make a speech at the evening reception, Kensington Palace tells CNN’s Max Foster.

The smaller evening reception is for around 200 friends and family hosted by Prince Charles, Harry’s father, at Frogmore House, a country house south of Windsor Castle.

Meghan Markle’s wedding gown, designed by Givenchy’s Clare Waight Keller, was modern and feminine, with a shoulder-framing bateau neckline, simple A-line silhouette and slim three-quarter sleeves.

CNN’s royal fashion experts agree: the Duchess of Sussex’s dress is a triumph.

Watch their analysis of Meghan’s dress:

One thing that’s got people buzzing on social media were those stolen moments throughout the ceremony when Prince Harry appeared to quietly say something to his bride.

Harry thanked his father, Prince Charles, for accompanying Meghan up the final part of the aisle, before he turned to Meghan and appearing to say, “Are you OK??You look amazing.”

A few minutes later, the Duke of Sussex turned to his bride and – while making hearts around the world melt – appeared to say, “You look amazing. I missed you.”

The last moment had an air of the cheeky Prince Harry we all know and love. ?

As he lifted Meghan’s veil, he appeared to whisper, “Alright?”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have two wedding receptions on the schedule today.

The afternoon lunchtime reception, hosted by Queen Elizabeth, started at 2 p.m. local time (9 a.m. ET). Then there’s a smaller, evening party, hosted by Harry’s father, Prince Charles.

The two parties will be very different, CNN’s Max Foster explains.

“You got a sensible one now, where everyone’s all dressed up and Elton John plays. All very civilized, drinking Champagne, buffet food,” Foster said.

“Later on, though — you know, Harry’s a bit of a party animal. We know that. His mates are party animals,” Foster continued. “It’s going to go on late into the night, if we know Harry.”

But don’t expect details about that wild evening soirée. Nothing is going to be reported from it — in other words, it’s like a black hole in royal history, Foster explains.

Watch more from Foster:

Prince Harry’s friend Dominic Reid just attended the first reception and said Elton John performed three songs for the guests.

“It was a very, very touching?reception,” he told CNN.?“Very private affair.?Really nice speech by the Prince?of Wales.”

Reid, the CEO of the Invictus Games, also attended the wedding ceremony.

He said Harry and Meghan are “very happy together.”

“They’re very happy in each?other’s company,” he said.?“They’re very much in love.?It’s great to see.”

With her ascent into the upper echelons of the British royal family, the Duchess of Sussex will help bring people together, according to CNN’s Don Lemon.

And that certainly seems to be the case judging by the parties springing up around England.

In Brixton – a multicultural area in south London that didn’t celebrate the last royal wedding – there are street parties taking place today, royal commentator Kate Williams reports.

And in London, an alternative royal wedding party is underway. The Alternative George Michael Royal Wedding is a celebration of LGBT+ love and the life of gay icon George Michael.

Couple Damien Arness Dalton, pictured left, and Chris Harvey dance in the Saturday afternoon sun.

Damien Arness Dalton, one of the attendee told CNN:?“Whilst everyone is in Windsor, we’re here celebrating and fundraising for the Outside Project, which is a queer homeless response service.”

We know not everyone will have woken up in the early hours – the ceremony started at 4 a.m. PT, afterall – to watch the royal wedding.

But don’t worry, we got you covered with all of the details.

Here’s what you need to know about the wedding:

Sir Elton John has performed at the lunchtime reception for guests celebrating the newly-married Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Prince Harry asked Sir Elton to perform at the reception which was hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at St. George’s Hall at Windsor Castle.

Sir Elton has long held ties with to the British royals and was known to be a close friend of Prince Harry’s mother, Princess Diana.

When it comes to royal weddings, it’s not just the public that gets excited.

A few famous faces are popping up on social media platforms to share their messages of congratulations including Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and Australian actor Russell Crowe.

The crowds are showing no sign of dispersing in the streets of Windsor, and the town’s shops and cafes cashing in. There are huge lines for bathrooms and plenty seeking respite from the bright sunshine.

This being Britain, everyone keeps apologizing to one another for bumping into them as they try to pass. It’s perhaps the most polite human traffic jam yet.?

The High Street in Windsor packed with crowds post-ceremony.

There’s entertainment in the town’s streets, too. Here’s video of a singer serenading the crowd:

Kensington Palace just tweeted a series of photos of the crowds that gathered in Windsor today for the royal wedding.

A few short hours after?the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge?tie the knot, British football teams Manchester United and Chelsea will play at London’s Wembley stadium for the FA Cup final.

Manchester United posted a cheeky photo of its former star player David Beckham arriving at the wedding earlier, along with the caption: “We’ll be done by 5:15pm, right?”

Prince William usually attends the final as president of the Football Association – English football’s governing body – but has put his duties as brother and best man first today.

The official Twitter account for Kensington Palace updated its profile description to include The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry and Meghan’s new official titles.

The profile picture includes both Harry and Meghan, as well as William and Catherine, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

The account will share any news about the couple on its feed going forward.?

British singer James Blunt may have shot to fame with his 2004 hit “You’re beautiful” but these days he’s perhaps better known as a poet with a character count.

Blunt can often be found on the micro-blogging platform trolling his haters. And today is no exception.

He took a few minutes from sipping champagne and eating canapes at the Queen’s reception for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to tweet back to someone who questioned his presence at the royal nuptials.

For many watching around the world, one of the breakout highlights of the service was when Chicago’s Most Rev. Michael Curry took the podium.

Curry’s inclusion in the order of service was, for many on social platforms, is a signal of a modernizing British royal family and a taste of what could come now that a woman of color has joined the “firm.”

British lawmaker David Lammy gave the bishop a hand on Twitter, posting about his powerful performance on the international stage.

And for others waking on up at the crack of dawn to tune in, it was a delightful addition.

All eyes were on Meghan Markle’s massive 16-foot-long veil when she stepped out of car this morning and headed into the church.

But it was more than just a veil. The silk tulle veil was full of meaning.

The delicate, embroidered flowers that lined the veil represented the 53 commonwealth countries that she will be working with, fashion stylist Joe Zee told CNN.

Megan wanted to pay homage to those countries, he explained. One of them is Canada, where she lived for the past seven years. The Kensington Palace flower and California poppy were also represented.

The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead says more than 100,000 people visited Windsor today for the royal wedding.

Suits – the TV show the new Duchess of Sussex starred in – sent a congratulatory message to the newlyweds.

Several “Suits” stars were at today’s wedding, including Patrick J. Adams, who plays her love interest Mike Ross, Gabriel Macht (Harvey Specter) and Sarah Rafferty (Donna Paulsen).?Abigail Spencer, who plays lawyer and Specter’s love interest Dana Scott, Gina Torres, who plays leading lawyer Jessica Pearson, and Rick Hoffman (Louis Litt) were also there.

Meghan her final appearance in the show last month.

Kensington Palace has tweeted the first picture of the wedding cake.

Made by pastry chef?Claire Ptak, who was raised in California and now owns London-based bakery Violet Cakes. It features a filling of Amalfi lemon curd and elderflower buttercream.

The cake has been decorated with Swiss meringue buttercream and 150 fresh flowers, mostly British, including peonies and roses.

Queen Elizabeth is hosting the first of two receptions today. It’s being held at St. George’s Hall in Windsor Castle, and about 600 guests are attending.

Here’s what’s on the menu:

First, they’ll have a selection of canapés, including…

Guests will also be served a selection of bowl food, including:

Sweet?canapés?will also be served, including:

As the noise of horses hooves and clinking of helmets began to sound on the Long Walk, small children in the crowd climbed onto the shoulders of their parents and grandparents to watch the Duke and Duchess of Sussex ride by.

The Duchess of Sussex waved to the watching crowds, her smile beaming across the world to millions across the world. The biggest cheers were reserved for Meghan and Harry, though Princess Charlotte drew some “awwws” after appearing on the big screen.?

As people began to disperse and head towards the exits, it began to dawn that an event that so many had looked forward to for so long was over.

As one little girl asked: “Mummy, can we do it all again tomorrow?”

British television channel BBC Three tweeted two aerial shots — one from the royal wedding day and another from President Trump’s inauguration.

Inauguration crowd size is a sore subject for Trump: After the National Park Service retweeted an image comparing his inaugural crowd size to Barack Obama’s in 2009, the President reportedly called the acting director of the National Park Service to complain.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have now returned to Windsor Castle, traveling past the state apartments and on to the first of two receptions of the day.

The Queen will host an afternoon reception — starting from 2 p.m. (9 a.m. ET) — at St. George’s Hall within the castle grounds. All 600 guests from the ceremony have been invited to the reception.

Later this evening, the couple will head to a smaller evening reception for around 200 friends and family hosted by Prince Charles, Harry’s father, at Frogmore House, a country house south of Windsor Castle.

Thomas Markle reading a book titled "Images of Britain," in an allegedly staged photo.

Meghan’s father, Thomas Markle, told celebrity website TMZ that watching the royal wedding was “emotional and joyful.”

Markle was supposed to walk Meghan down the aisle, but pulled out for health reasons. His decision not to travel to Windsor came after a week of family drama.

Crowds been gathering on the Long Walk outside Windsor Castle for hours and now they’re being rewarded for their patience. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are riding through the streets of the town, and the procession will culminate with a roughly one-mile section of the Long Walk.

Lynne and Harold, clad in Lycra, cycled 30 miles to get here today.

“The roads were so clear it was wonderful, it was easier to get here than on a normal Saturday,” Lynn said. She added: “It’s been so lovely, everyone has been so friendly.”

This group of friends from Nova Scotia, Canada, have a message of congratulations for the newlyweds.

Monique, originally from Nigeria but now living in London, says she’s only here today for Harry.

“I wouldn’t normally come to these events but it’s Harry and I love him. He’s my adopted son and I’ve loved him ever since his mother passed away.?I prayed for him to have a good wife. Meghan seems like a nice person. It’s a good match. She is making history and that’s so important.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex just left the chapel in a carriage.

The route takes them on a roughly two-mile procession, traveling along the High Street through the town of Windsor, before returning to the castle by the Long Walk, according to the Palace. The procession is expected to take around 25 minutes.

They will travel in an Ascot Landau carriage pulled by Windsor Grey horses.

Windsor Grey horses have a long royal pedigree – they have been pulling the carriages of British monarchs and members of the royal family since the 1900s.

Prince Harry and Meghan emerged from the chapel – Household Cavalry lining the steps – and shared their first kiss as a married couple. The crowd cheered wildly.

Couples do not typically kiss in Church of England wedding ceremonies, but it has been tradition for royal couple to kiss publicly soon after for the world to see.

As the Duke and Duchess of Sussex return to the Quire and we reach the culmination of the ceremony, the congregation is singing the British National Anthem.

Here are the lyrics, if you’re following along:

God save our gracious Queen,?

Long live our noble Queen,

God save The Queen!?

Send her victorious,?

Happy and glorious,?

Long to reign over us,?

God save The Queen!

Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, 19, is performing during the signing of the register – the part of the ceremony that completes the legal requirements for marriage.

He is performing three songs:

Kanneh-Mason was the first black musician to win the BBC Young Musician of the Year award in 2016.

He is a student at the Royal Academy of Music.

Before the wedding, Kanneh-Mason said he was “honored” to perform at the ceremony.

“I was bowled over when Ms. Markle called me to ask,” he said.

Harry and Meghan, now the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are officially married.

It became official when the Archbishop read this:

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle during their wedding service, conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.?

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are now standing face to face at the high altar, where they are saying their vows.

The marriage vows are taken from Common Worship, the Church of England’s standard liturgy, first published in 2000.

It is a break from tradition: For their 2011 wedding, Prince William and Kate Middleton chose a slightly amended version of the vows from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.

Prince Harry stands with his bride, Meghan Markle.

After Reverend Michael Curry’s impassioned sermon, Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir sang, “Stand by Me” from the west end of the chapel.

Gibson founded the Christian gospel group in southeast England. It’s made up of a group of local artists dedicated to creating a sound that demonstrates the community they share.

It has been performing at home as well as internationally for more than 20 years.

Want to follow along with the service? Here’s a copy of the full order of service.

We just got to the ring exchange — but here’s a look at the entire rundown of the ceremony:

Here’s a copy of the full order of service, with even more detail.

American Rev. Michael Curry is delivering an address that will start and end with quotes from Martin Luther King Jr.

Curry is the Episcopal Church’s first African-American leader. He rose to fame following his 2012 sermon “We need some crazy Christians,” which went viral and was turned into a book.

He has worked extensively on issues of social justice, marriage equality and malaria prevention.

Diana’s eldest sister, Lady Jane Fellowes, is now offering a reading from the Song of Solomon.

She also gave a reading at Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997, and has rarely made public appearances since her sister’s death.

At the High Altar, David Conner, the Dean of Windsor, is greeting the congregation.

Meghan Markle decided not to chaperoned for much of the procession down the aisle of St. George’s Chapel, and walked down part of it alone.

An orchestra and trumpeter played as soprano Elin Manahan Thomas sang “Eternal Source of Light Divine” by George Frederick Handel, casting an ethereal and haunting atmosphere over the start of the ceremony.

Queen Elizabeth lent Meghan Markle the tiara she’s wearing today, Queen Mary’s diamond bandeau. It was made in 1932, with the entre brooch dating back to 1893, the palace says.

Meghan Markle rode to the chapel with the twin sons of her best friend, well-known Canadian stylist Jessica Mulroney.

The 7-year-old Mulroney twins, Brian and John, followed with Meghan’s dress.

Meghan Markle just got to the chapel. She’s wearing a dress by British designer Clare Waight Keller.

Meghan Markle makes her way into the chapel.

According to Kensington Palace, Meghan wanted to have a veil that represented “all 53 countries of the Commonwealth” for “her journey through the ceremony.”

The bridesmaids and page boys – all children – just arrived at the chapel. They were accompanied by their mothers.

Princess Charlotte and Prince George, Prince Harry’s niece and nephew, were among them, with their mother, Catherine.

Queen Elizabeth just pulled up to the chapel for the royal wedding with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

The British monarch is wearing a delicately flared dress in lime, lemon, purple and gray printed silk, designed by Stuart Parvin. She has completed the outfit with an Angela Kelly hat, using the same lime silk tweed with sinamay and adorned across the crown with handmade lace crystals and pearls made by Lucy Price.

Her brooch is The Richmond Diamond Brooch with pearl drop.

The Duke of Edinburgh is wearing a morning suit.

Prince Harry’s father, Prince Charles, is arriving at the chapel alongside his wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

Doria Ragland, the bride’s mother, has arrived at the chapel. She entered via the Galilee Porch.

She rode with Meghan to the chapel, but got out after the car drove past the crowd at the long walk.

Meghan Markle will make a striking feminist statement in her wedding today: She has chosen not to be chaperoned for much of the procession down the aisle of St. George’s Chapel, Windsor, CNN has learned.

Markle will walk unescorted down the aisle of the chapel nave, after being met at the West Door by a member of the clergy. She will be accompanied in this first part of the wedding procession only by her bridesmaids and page boys, with the senior church figure walking ahead.

Prince Charles will join her when she reaches the Quire, the section of the Chapel where the main royal guests will be seated. The Prince — Harry’s father — will walk Markle down the Quire aisle to the foot of the altar.?

But Charles will not give her away to her husband-to-be in the traditional sense. instead, he will stand back as Markle approaches Prince Harry.

This is an unprecedented step for a royal bride in the UK. CNN understands that Markle came up with the plan herself. No other royal bride in the UK has walked unescorted down the aisle at their wedding ceremony. Markle’s decision indicates that she wishes to assert herself as a strong, independent woman who is prepared to challenge royal norms.

Meghan Markle’s car has arrived at the long walk of Windsor Castle. The walk is lined with cheering crowds.

After driving up the walk, her mom will get out of the car, and her bridesmaids — who are all young children — will get in.

Sarah Ferguson, Harry’s aunt who is divorced from Prince Andrew, is at today’s wedding. She’s wearing a dress with pink trim.

Ferguson wasn’t invited to Prince William’s 2011 wedding. Her absence from the guest list was especially odd because her children, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, were invited.

Prince Harry, pictured left, arrives with his best man Prince William at St George's Chapel, in Windsor, on Saturday.

Wearing Household Cavalry uniform, Prince Harry has arrived for his wedding day.

He is accompanied by his brother and best man, Prince William, who is also wearing a cavalry uniform.

Both are wearing the frockcoat uniform of the Blues and Royals – a cavalry regiment of the British Army. The frockcoats are for those with the rank of Major, and they have large gold embroidered crowns on them.

Fun fact: The Queen had to give her permission for Harry to get married in his uniform.

Late Late Show host James Corden just arrived at the wedding venue with his wife.

James Corden and Julia Carey arrive for the wedding ceremony.

As Meghan Markle makes her way to Windsor, members of the royal family have started to arrive at the chapel.

Harry’s cousin Peter Philips and wife Autumn; cousin Zara Tindall and husband Mike and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent kick off the first wave of royal family.

They are followed closely behind by Harry’s uncles, Princes Andrew and Edward, and his aunt, Princess Anne.

Meghan Markle has departed Cliveden House Hotel in Taplow – where she spent her final night as a single woman with her mother, Doria Ragland.

The pair are driving in a Rolls Royce, with the journey expected to take around 25 minutes.

Serena Williams, a close friend of Meghan Markle, is in the chapel.

She’s sitting in the Quire, the section that appears to be for family and other close friends. Oprah Winfrey is in that section, too.

Earlier today, Williams tweeted photos of her Versace outfit:

Actors Tom Hardy and Charlotte Riley are arriving for the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

British royal weddings are usually grand affairs of state, where presidents and prime ministers rub shoulders with obscure European monarchs.

This isn’t the case today in Windsor: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle opted not to invite political leaders to the event — unless they are friends of the couple.

One of those invited in a personal capacity is former British Prime Minister John Major, who was guardian to Prince Harry after his mother, Diana, died in 1997.

Former British Prime Minister John Major and his wife Norma arrive before the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle on Saturday.

As expected, several of Meghan’s co-stars from “Suits” are in attendance. Her on-screen husband, actor Patrick J. Adams, has arrived to the chapel as well as Gabriel Macht, who plays Harvey Specter.

Several minutes earlier, Abigail Spencer, Sarah Rafferty and Gina Torres arrived.

Actor Gabriel Macht and wife Jacinda Barrett arrive on Saturday.

Indian actress and winner of Miss World 2000,?Priyanka Chopra, is arriving at the chapel wearing a gray Vivienne Westwood dress and, like Oprah, a Philip Treacy hat.

Meghan Markle will be joined today by six bridesmaids, including 3-year-old Princess Charlotte, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

The youngest of the bridesmaids and page boys — chosen by Prince Harry and Markle — is 2 and the oldest is 7, Kensington Palace announced Wednesday.

Along with Princess Charlotte, the bridesmaids include…

The four page boys are…

Appearing to make a somewhat sneaky entrance, Elton John is inside St. George’s Chapel with husband David Furnish talking to the Beckhams and James Blunt.

He’s wearing his trademark round sunglasses with a morning suit and blue tie.

Picture of Lady Diana, Princess of Wales with Prince Charles of Wales at their wedding at St Paul Cathedral in London in 1981.

When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle?tie the knot?today, there’s one person whose absence will be keenly felt: Diana, Princess of Wales.

But small details?in the planning of the wedding?make it clear that Harry wants his beloved mother’s presence to be felt.

Serena Williams, a close friend of Meghan Markles’s, posted a series of photos showing off her outfit for the wedding.

She is due to arrive at the chapel shortly.

Amelia Thompson, from Woodhouse in Sheffield, received an invitation to the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

David Beckham stopped to hug a fan, Amelia Thompson, on his way into today’s royal wedding.

Thompson is a survivor of the 2017 bombing at Manchester Arena. The attack happened durning an Ariana Grande concert.

Former footballer David Beckham and his fashion designer wife, Victoria Beckham, are arriving at the chapel. The couple waved as the waiting crowds cheer with David stopping briefly to hug a fan.

Walking behind them is former rugby union player Jonny Wilkinson.

David Beckham and Victoria Beckham arrive at St George's Chapel on Saturday.

George and Amal Clooney have just arrived at Windsor Castle. Amal is wearing a mustard yellow dress and matching hat, while George is in a gray suit.

The family of the Duchess of Cambridge are arriving at the St. George’s Chapel. Michael Middleton walked in with his wife Carol, followed by Catherine’s sister, Pippa and her husband James Matthews.

Pippa is wearing a pale green dress with floral pattern from The Fold which retails for around ￡495 ($675).

Pippa Middleton and James Matthews arrive in Windsor.

While Prince Harry’s brother, Prince William, will serve as the best man today, his bride, Meghan Markle, won’t have a maid of honor.

Markle has opted not to have a maid of honor, according to Jason Knauf,?communications secretary to Prince Harry.

Actor Idris Elba – perhaps best known for his turn in TV’s “The Wire” – has arrived at the chapel for the wedding ceremony.

Also spotted in congregation arrivals: Clive Woodward, a former coach of the England national rugby team after career as a star player

Crowds are streaming into Windsor ahead of the wedding ceremony. CNN’s James Masters met up with Arba, pictured left, and Jaime, who camped out overnight in pull up chairs and sleeping bags.

Arba, from California, says she’s always liked Harry since his partying antics in Las Vegas. “When I saw Harry in Vegas, I thought, ‘Yeah, that’s my man!” She also thinks Meghan’s arrival signals a new diversity in the royal family.

Meanwhile over on the picturesque Long Walk – where the newlyweds will travel along during their procession – CNN’s Temujin Doran has spotted a few fans from North America.

Finally! An answer to the perennial question - where's Waldo? He's on the Long Walk in Windsor, England.

Donning maple leaf onesies, we've found a some Canadian fans.

Meghan Markle’s wedding ring is made out of Welsh Gold and was gifted by Queen Elizabeth herself.

The tradition of the royal family using Welsh gold for wedding rings began in 1923 with the Queen Mother, then later The Queen, Princess Margaret, Princes Anne, and the late Diana, Princess of Wales.

Other members of the royal family to have Welsh gold wedding rings include Prince Charles and Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall.?

Wembley Stadium, the largest football stadium in London and home of the England national football team, tweeted its congratulations to Harry and Meghan this morning.

The stadium is hosting its own big event later today: The FA Cup.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding rings are from designer Cleave and Company.

Harry’s is platinum, and Meghan’s will be gold.

Meghan’s was a gift from Queen Elizabeth.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will exchange vows inside St. George’s Chapel on the grounds of?Windsor Castle, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) west of central London.

As you will have noticed, we are getting waves of guests arriving.

That is because they are being delivered to the castle grounds in clusters for security reasons, CNN’s Clarissa Ward reports.

James Blunt just arrived at Windsor Castle. The “You’re Beautiful” singer is in a morning suit and light blue tie.

British singer James Blunt and wife, Sofia Wellesley, arrive for the wedding ceremony of Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Earl Charles Spencer, the brother of the late Princess Diana and Harry’s uncle, has arrived at St. George’s Chapel.

Oprah Winfrey just arrived at St. George’s Chapel for todays royal wedding. She’s wearing a pink dress, a cream-colored hat adorned with pink flowers by Philip Treacy and a pair of sunglasses.

She’ll be sitting in the Quire with the family and other close friends — not the main body of guests.

British Prime Minister Theresa May – who is not invited to the wedding – tweeted her congratulations to Prince Harry and Meghan Saturday. The couple did not invite political leaders except those personally close to the bride or groom.

Even though the Meghan Markle is about to be a part of the British royal family, she still won’t be a proper princess.

Why? Markle wasn’t born into a royal family, so she won’t be a capital-P “Princess” and won’t have her name styled as such.

So what will she be? Once Markle is married, she takes Harry’s title and name — as in, his literal name. Her title will be Princess Henry of Wales (Henry is Harry’s real name).

What about “Duchess,” like Kate? Luckily, in all likelihood Markle won’t have to spend the rest of her life as “Princess Henry.”

Meghan Markle and her mother toured St. George’s Chapel, the venue for the wedding ceremony, yesterday.

The two were not “entirely satisfied” with the chapel’s floral arrangements, CNN’s Clarissa Ward reports.

“The problem wasn’t the flowers themselves — they thought they looked beautiful — but they didn’t feel that there were enough of them,” she said

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Commemorative gift bags are being handed out to the lucky members of public who are celebrating the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from inside the grounds of Windsor Castle.

They contain a box of shortbread cookies, a giant chocolate coin, a bottle of water and a magnet.

Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, 19, will perform at today’s wedding. He was the first black musician to win the BBC Young Musician of the Year award in 2016.

He just tweeted this:

Perviously, he said he was “bowled over” when Meghan Markle herself asked him to perform, he said.

Meghan Markle may be marrying into the British royal family but if she wants to be a Brit, the Queen’s future granddaughter-in-law still has to pass the same citizenship test as anyone else.

The American actress will need to correctly answer at least 18 out of 24 questions on a range of topics about life in the United Kingdom.

Could you pass? Test your knowledge?here.

Flowers adorn the front of the organ loft inside St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle for the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle later today.

Patrick J. Adams, who played Meghan Markle’s onscreen husband on “Suits,” is getting into the wedding spirit, posting a photo of a British newspaper with the caption “I’m beginning to think she might not actually be out getting milk.?#royalwedding.”

When Markle’s engagement to Prince Harry was announced, Adams joked: She told me she was just going out to get milk.”

Adams also left the show alongside Markle this season.

Meghan is the first person to hold the title Duchess of Sussex.

She’ll marry Prince Harry later today. He’ll get three titles, for England, Wales and Scotland: Duke of Sussex, Earl of Dumbarton and Baron Kilkeel.

There’s only been one other Duke of Sussex — an anti-slavery campaigner and supporter of rights for Catholics and Jews.?

Prince Augustus Frederick (1773–1843), was the sixth son and ninth child of George III and Queen Charlotte, according to the Royal Collection.?

He secretly married Lady Augusta Murray in 1793, who was Catholic – a time when the Royal Marriages act prevented members of the royal family from marrying Catholics. King George III declared the marriage void in 1794.

He became Duke of Sussex in 1801, and became estranged from his father because of his liberal political views.?

He is the only previous Duke of Sussex – and because the King annulled his marriage, there has never been a previous Duchess of Sussex.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have invited more than 2,600 members of the public to the grounds of Windsor Castle to share their?wedding day.

The invitees will be able to watch the arrivals of the bride and groom and their guests at St. George’s Chapel, where the ceremony takes place, They’ll also watch the newlyweds depart the castle on a carriage procession through the town of Windsor.

Who’s included in the 2,600 invitees?

Queen Elizabeth just announced Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s new titles. Harry will get three: One for England, one for Scotland and one for Wales.

Here’s the announcement from Kensington Palace:

Tennis superstar Serena Williams will be attending the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. She posted a video on Instagram confirming her attendance.

She also shared this photo of herself getting ready:?

It’s wedding day for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. They’re getting married at St. George’s Chapel in the grounds of?Windsor Castle, just outside of London, this afternoon.

Here’s a look at how British media is covering the day:

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are asking people who wish to send them a wedding gift to consider donating to one of several selected charities instead.

The seven chosen charities “represent a range of issues that they are passionate about,”?the Palace said in a statement, including women’s empowerment, HIV, homelessness and the environment.

These are the selected charities:

In the months leading up to the royal wedding, Kensington Palace has periodically announced some of the professionals tasked with coordinating details for the big day.

While we still have a ton of questions — like what Meghan Markle’s dress looks like — here’s a look at some of the people working on the special day:

The florist

London florist Philippa Craddock has been entrusted with decorating St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

Craddock’s team plans to use white garden roses, peonies and foxgloves, as well as branches of beech, birch and hornbeam for the chapel’s floral displays.

The photographer

Alexi Lubomirski, a renowned fashion and portrait photographer, will take the couple’s official wedding photographs.

According to his?website, Lubomirski studied under Mario Testino, a Peruvian photographer who took the official engagement photographs of Prince William and fiancée Kate Middleton in 2010. Testino is a recognized name in the fashion industry.

The baker

Claire Ptak, who was raised in California and now owns London-based bakery?Violet Cakes, is baking the couple’s cake.

According to the palace, the couple asked Ptak to make a “lemon elderflower cake that will incorporate the bright flavours of spring” rather than the more traditional fruitcake. It will also feature buttercream and fresh flowers as decoration.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were engaged on a “cozy night” in November, the couple said.

The two were at their Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace, roasting a chicken, the American actor said. Or trying to roast a chicken, Harry said, correcting her.

The pair giggled as they fondly remembered the moment during an interview last fall.

Harry continued, “There was hugs and I had the ring in my finger. I was like, ‘Can I give you the ring?’ She goes, ‘Oh, yes! The ring!’”

Guests will begin arriving at Windsor Castle around 9 a.m.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding will begin at noon (that’s 7 a.m. ET) at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. But many of their guests will arrive for the ceremony hours before that.

The couple has invited 1,200 members of the public into the grounds of Windsor Castle. These guests are expected arrive from 9 a.m. (4 a.m. ET).

The main wedding guests will arrive between 9:30 a.m. (4:30 a.m. ET) and 11 a.m. (6 a.m. ET). Guests will arrive at the Round Tower by coach and will walk to the chapel door.

Members of the royal family will make their way to the chapel starting at 11:20 a.m. (6:20 a.m. ET). Some of the members of the royal family will arrive on foot, while others will travel by car.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will exchange vows at noon, which is 7 a.m. EDT.

At 1 p.m. (8 a.m. EDT), the newlyweds will leave Windsor Castle in a carriage for a roughly two-mile procession, traveling along the High Street through the town of Windsor, before returning to the castle by the Long Walk, according to the Palace.

After that, they will travel in an Ascot Landau carriage pulled by Windsor Grey horses. The royal family owns five Ascot Landaus and uses them regularly for official events. Prince Harry traveled in one during the carriage procession at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011.

After the procession, the couple and guests will then attend a reception hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at St. George’s Hall on the castle grounds.

And in the evening, there will be a smaller reception for around 200 friends and family hosted by Prince Charles, Harry’s father.

Here’s a look at the route they’ll take today: