Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got married in a lavish ceremony seven years ago, and fans are just noticing the subtle way they paid tribute to one royal who couldn’t attend. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are celebrating their seventh wedding anniversary today (Monday, May 19).
Harry and Meghan tied the knot back in 2018, at St George’s Chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle. Meghan stunned in a dress designed by Clare Waight Keller under the Givenchy label, while her husband was wearing the frockcoat uniform of the Household Cavalry (the ‘Blues and Royals’), made by tailors Dege and Skinner on London’s Savile Row.
The wedding was attended by a number of senior royals including King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Kate Middleton. Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, was also present.
But while Princess Diana – who sadly passed away in a 1997 Paris car crash – was not there, the couple included subtle nods to Harry’s late mother throughout their ceremony.
In a video shared to TikTok, a dedicated royal fan account shared some of the ways Harry and Meghan kept the memory of the People’s Princess alive during the lavish occasion. “How Princess Diana was ‘present’ in every detail of Harry and Meghan’s wedding ceremony,” the clip opened.
Meghan’s wedding bouquet
Meghan’s bouquet included forget-me-nots, Princess Diana’s favourite flowers, according to the video. “Harry personally picked them from the garden at Kensington Palace,” text overlaying the video read.
The bouquet was designed by florist Philippa Craddock and tied together with a naturally-dyed silk ribbon. In addition to forget-me-nots, it featured scented sweet peas, lily of the valley, astilbe, jasmine and astrantia, and sprigs of myrtle.
Music
“The composition Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer was played at the wedding,” the clip added. “It is Diana’s favourite hymn and was played at the princess’ funeral in 1997.”
According to CBS, Harry appeared to get “choked up” when the song was played during the ceremony.
A statement from Kensington Palace about the song choice read: “Both Prince Harry and Ms Markle have taken a great deal of interest and care in choosing the music for their service, which will include a number of well-known hymns and choral works.”
Keeping it in the family
“At the wedding ceremony, after the Archbishop of Canterbury’s opening speech, Lady Jane Fellowes – Diana’s sister – read the eight chapter of the Song of Solomon from the Bible about eternal love,” the video added.
As part of her speech, Diana’s older sister read: “The winter is past, the rain is over and gone… Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.”
Her siblings, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Earl Spencer, also attended the wedding.
Diana’s ring
The video went on to describe how Meghan wore an “emerald-cut aquamarine” ring at the wedding reception following the couple’s ceremony. “This is Princess Diana’s ring,” the video claimed.
Diana first wore the ring during a 1996 tour of Australia, just a year before her untimely death.
But while the large ring may be of enormous sentimental value to Meghan, she has worn it only a handful of times since her wedding.
One of these times was at the Ripple of Hope Gala in New York City in December 2022, when she paired it with a custom white Louis Vuitton gown.
