21 May 2018

Royal wedding: Couple leave Windsor after wedding

7:58 am on 21 May 2018

The newly married Duke and Duchess of Sussex have left Windsor Castle as the royal celebrations come to a close.

Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, (R) and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, (L) leave Windsor Castle

Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, (R) and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, (L) leave Windsor Castle Photo: AFP

The couple stayed at the castle on Saturday after an evening reception with 200 of their friends and family, hosted by Prince Charles.

Details of Prince Harry and Meghan's honeymoon have yet to be confirmed.

But their first official engagement as a married couple will be celebrating Prince Charles's 70th birthday at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.

Earlier the royal family posted a message on their Twitter account to thank those who had travelled to Windsor for the wedding.

The wedding celebrations ended with a black-tie dinner and fireworks display at Frogmore House, near Windsor Castle.

For the evening, the duchess changed out of her wedding dress into a lily-white, silk crepe Stella McCartney halter-neck gown.

Prince Harry, who was given special permission from the Queen to keep his short beard for the ceremony, while wearing the frockcoat uniform of his former regiment, the Blues and Royals, changed into a tuxedo.

The duchess broke with royal tradition and gave a speech.

The evening refreshments are said to have included themed cocktails, including one named "When Harry met Meghan" - referencing the romantic comedy starring Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal.

Guests dined on posh burgers and candy floss, according to reports, and danced to music provided by a celebrity DJ.

Some are also said to have staged an after-party at Chiltern Firehouse in central London.

Clare Waight Keller, the designer of the wedding dress, said it was a collaborative process with the royal bride.

The duchess was "exactly what you see on TV", said the Birmingham-born designer, adding: "She's just so genuine and warm and radiant. She's just glowing.

"She's a strong woman. She knows what she wants, and it was really an absolute joy working with her."

The designer - artistic director of Givenchy - also spoke to Prince Harry after the ceremony.

"He came straight up to me and he said 'oh my God, thank you, she looks absolutely stunning'," she said. "I think everybody saw on television - he was absolutely in awe, I think."

Her final design sketches are being given to the bride as a keepsake.

She showed little sign of nerves while getting ready, her hair stylist has revealed.

Serge Normant, who flew from New York for the big day, said it was "dreamy" to work with her, adding: "She was very happy. It was a beautiful morning, just the perfect morning to get married."

As a wedding gift, Prince Harry gave his bride an emerald-cut aquamarine ring which had belonged to his late mother - Diana, Princess of Wales - which she wore to the evening reception.

All of the 600 guests at the ceremony held at St George's Chapel, in Windsor Castle, were invited to a lunchtime reception at St George's Hall, where the best man, the Duke of Cambridge, acted as compere.

Guest Suhani Jalota, founder of the India-based Myna Mahila charity, said Elton John performed a "mini-concert". She said speeches by the Prince of Wales and the groom were "lovely", adding: "Some people were even crying."

- BBC

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