Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding took place at Windsor Castle on May 19, with 600 guests present in St. George's Chapel to witness their vows, and over 2,000 others awaiting them on the grounds of the castle.
Following the ceremony, Prince Harry and the Duchess welcomed the 600 ceremony guests to one of two wedding receptions. The first, a luncheon hosted in St. George's Hall, was hosted by the Queen. The second, which took place later in the day at Forgmore House, was hosted by Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, the Duchess of Cornwall.
Unfortunately the Obamas were confirmed to not be on the guest list—along with other political leaders like Donald Trump and Theresa May—but there were more than enough famous faces, royals, members of the public and friends of the couple invited to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's big day. Here, the standouts from Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's royal wedding guest list.
Serena Williams & Alexis Ohanian
Williams and Markle apparently hit it off when they met in 2014 at a celebrity charity football event, according to the Daily Mail. The two have been close friends for several years, and it was widely speculated that the tennis legend would be getting an invite.
Originally, Williams was slated to play matches in Madrid and Rome at the Madrid and Italian Opens during the time of the royal wedding, but she recently withdrew from the tournaments, following the advice of her coach, Patrick Mouratoglu, Page Six reports.
Markle wrote about becoming friends with Williams for her now-defunct blog The Tig, and said, "She quickly became a confidante I would text when I was traveling, the friend I would rally around for her tennis matches, and the down-to-earth chick I was able to grab lunch with a couple of weeks ago in Toronto."
Originally Williams wasn't sure if her plans to compete would interfere with her attendance at Meghan and Harry's wedding. "We'll see if I can make it," Williams said during a Good Morning America interview, according to ABC producer Carolyn Durand. According to Reuters, when Williams arrived to train with him in France in late April, she wasn't quite ready; as a result, she withdrew from playing in Spain and Italy.
The champion took a 14-month absence for maternity leave after the birth of her daughter, Alexis Olympia, and she arrived to the royal wedding in Atelier Versace with her dapperly dressed husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. The two sat in the intimate Quire for the ceremony, the same room as the royal family, and were guests at the 200-person Frogmore House party later in the evening.
George & Amal Clooney
A source recently confirmed to People that the Clooneys would be attending the royal wedding ceremony and the evening's Frogmore House reception, due to Meghan and Amal's close friendship over the years.
The source shared that the two have much in common, and have become even closer since Meghan moved to the United Kingdom, given Amal's human rights passions and Meghan's philanthropic goals. Conveniently, George and Amal's English countryside home resides just a 30-minute drive from Windsor. Unlike some other celebrity guests who flew in from all over the world for the occasion, these two might have had one of the easiest commutes to Harry and Meghan's May 19th ceremony and the evening reception at Frogmore House.
Oprah Winfrey
While there were many royal guests at Harry and Meghan's royal wedding, one guest that flew under the radar until her prompt arrival at Windsor Castle was Oprah Winfrey.
The legendary activist, actress and American icon arrived to the ceremony walking alongside English actor Idris Elba, donning a Phillip Treacy hat from her own closet (she's owned it for years and pulled it out for the occasion) and a custom Stella McCartney dress that was reportedly created for her "overnight" after she had a wardrobe malfunction. According to the star's Instagram video about the issue, the original look photographed as a white dress rather than a blush pink, and she felt strongly that she not wear white to Meghan's wedding, so as not to compete with the bride.
Idris Elba
The Luther leading man arrived in Windsor with his fiancée, Sabrina Dhowre, for the royal wedding, and arrived alongside Oprah Winfrey bright and early.
According to Bustle, while Prince Harry and Meghan Markle aren't close with Elba, the invitation for the actor may have come from Prince Charles. In 1976, the Prince of Wales established The Prince's Trust, aimed at improving the lives of disadvantaged young people in the United Kingdom. Reportedly, Elba was one of those young people, and credits the generosity of the Royal Family and the trust with his ability to change his life for the better.
Elba, became a Prince's Trust ambassador in 2013, and spoke about his challenging childhood and the life-changing grant he received. "I left school at 16 with dreams of attending the National Youth Music Theatre but was disheartened when I realized how much it would cost," he wrote. "It was The Prince’s Trust who made it possible. They gave me a £1,500 grant and set me on the path that would eventually change my life." His ambassadorship and continued work with a charity important to the Royal Family earned him a spot on the royal guest list, and a seat in the chapel for the couple's ceremony.
Meghan & Harry's Matchmakers
According to the Daily Mail, fashion designer Misha Nonoo is Markle's close friend, and could have potentially been behind Harry and Meghan's set up. The designer was credited early on with their introduction, after Meghan wore one of Nonoo's designs to The Invictus Games for her first public appearance with Harry, although reports surfaced that Violet von Westenholz—a PR director for Ralph Lauren–was responsible for their set-up. Nonoo's ex-husband reportedly attended Eton College with Prince Harry and Prince William, which is how she first met Meghan.
However, others credit Meghan's friend Markus Anderson with the set-up. After he was seen seated next to her at the Invictus Games, reports clarified that Anderson works for Soho House, where Meghan and Harry had their first date–the date that started it all. While there wasn't any sign of Misha or Violet at the ceremony, Markus arrived with Izzy May, cementing the rumor that he may indeed have been behind the couple's initial introduction.
James Corden and Julia Carey
The late night TV star and his wife were seated in the nave during Meghan and Harry's ceremony, but Corden's invitation and presence at the royal wedding was apparently most felt at the Frogmore House evening reception, where he supposedly acted in the role of MC.
James Blunt
Many wondered how singer/songwriter James Blunt scored one of the most coveted invites of the year–until he took to Twitter to crack a joke about his attendance. The singer arrived to the wedding with his wife, Sofia Wellesley, and replied to a tweet shortly after the ceremony, making it clear that he is indeed friends with the couple. A fan tweeted "Who invited James Blunt to the royal wedding?" The singer promptly tweeted a witty response.
Turns out, Blunt served in the army with Harry, and the Prince has since invited him to attend the Invictus Games. Blunt's attendance is proof of Meghan and Harry's loyalty as friends, and a reminder that their private life involves many a celeb pal.
The Cast of Suits
Prior to the wedding, an insider confirmed to Hello! that the "cast and key executives" of the hit legal drama were on the guest list. "The cast has been contacted in regards to invites from Kensington Palace," the source said. Abigail Spencer was one of the co-stars rumored to attend–and she did, but she arrived with Priyanka Chopra and didn't sit with her co-stars in the nave of St. George's Chapel, making it clear just how close she and Markle became during filming.
Markle's onscreen love interest on the show, Patrick J. Adams, posted the sweetest tribute to his former co-star on Instagram. He wrote, "Playing Meghan’s television partner for the better part of a decade uniquely qualifies me to say this: Your Royal Highness, you are a lucky man and I know your long life together will be joyful, productive and hilarious."
After seven seasons of Suits, Markle is still in touch with her co-stars, but it seemed only Spencer was invited to the evening's festivities at Frogmore House. Us Weekly recently reported that the remaining members of the cast were not invited to the intimate, 200-person evening reception hosted by Prince Charles. Instead, they changed out of their morning suits and fascinators and all went out for a night of karaoke in Windsor.
The staff at Windsor Chapel was reportedly ordered to watch the show to become familiar with Harry and Meghan's wedding guests. "I’ve told the Stewards to get Netflix and watch Suits, so they know who everyone is at the wedding," Hugo Vickers, the Captain of the Lay Stewards at the chapel, told the Daily Mail.
Abigail Spencer
The Suits star joined her cast mates at the royal wedding–but she wasn't seated with them nor did she arrive with them. Spencer arrived alongside Priyanka Chopra, and was seated next to Serena Williams and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, during the ceremony. Abigail and Meghan have a close bond, and the actress has said the sweetest things about the Duchess in the past.
Tom Hardy and Charlotte Riley
An unpredictable addition to the royal guest list? Tom Hardy and his wife, Charlotte Riley arrived at Windsor Castle on May 19 looking elegant and polished. Fun Fact: Riley has played the role of the Duchess of Cambridge in a PBS Masterpiece Classic film, King Charles III.
Carey Mulligan & Marcus Mumford
The actress and Mumford & Sons leading man were unexpected guests at the royal wedding, but they made for a stylish addition to the guest list.
Sir Elton John
It had been reported that Elton John canceled two concerts because the dates clashed with the royal wedding–and now we know why. While the singer's official statement called it a "scheduling conflict," it seemed highly likely that he had canceled his May 18 and 19 world tour dates because he got a better offer.
Elton John was a good friend of Prince Harry's mother, Princess Diana, and famously sang his song "Candle in the Wind" at her funeral in 1997. Ultimately, it was confirmed that Sir Elton John would indeed perform at the couple's wedding. And, like the Clooney's, his house conveniently sits a stone's throw from Windsor Castle. The legendary singer reportedly played "Circle of Life" "Your Song" and "I'm Still Standing" at the reception, the Daily Mail reports. Harry reportedly introduced John with a joke: "Does anyone here know how to play the piano?"
Priyanka Chopra
Quantico star Priyanka Chopra and Markle met at ELLE's Women in Television dinner in 2016. After Harry and Meghan made their first appearance in public at the Invictus Games, Chopra famously corrected Wendy Williams for describing Markle as "Prince Harry's girlfriend." She fiercely replied, "Meghan Markle, actress. Suits. Her achievements... just saying."
In the weeks leading up to the wedding, Chopra confirmed to Us Weekly that she'd be attending the nuptials, and that she was deciding what she would wear on day-of. “I sort of may have an idea, but no, I haven’t picked one out yet," she told the site. The actress turned to stylist Mimi Cuttrell (the same stylist responsible for Gigi and Bella Hadid's epic street style and red carpet looks), who chronicled Chopra's looks on her Instagram. Chopra arrived to the ceremony wearing a custom lavender suit by Vivienne Westwood, a Philip Treacy hat, Lorraine Schwartz earrings and shoes by Off White x Jimmy Choo.
Nacho Figueras
In addition to the other celebrities and VIPs in attendance, the famous Argentinian polo player made the cut for the royal wedding guest list, CBS News reports.
Figueras told Good Morning America the day before the ceremony that he could not be happier for his dear friend, Prince Harry. Said the athlete, who has a loving marriage and four children of his own, "He's going to be an amazing husband, he hopefully will be a great father. I can't wait for him to go into this stage of his life... I'm so happy that he has found Meghan."
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York
While the majority of the royal family is thought to be invited, the Duchess of York has had a difficult relationship with the royals over the past decade.
She's said to have a terrible relationship with her ex-father-in-law, Prince Philip (she was married to Prince Andrew for 10 years), but as she is Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie's mom, it was expected that she would get an invite.
The Duchess arrived to the ceremony, and was seated near her children, and she reportedly was invited to the general reception as well. She was, however, snubbed from the evening's affairs. Fergie was reportedly freaking out over not receiving an invitation to the dinner at Frogmore House, hosted by Prince Charles, and reports indicate that due to her frustration, she chose not to attend either reception.
Chelsy Davy & Cressida Bonas
It had been widely reported that Prince Harry would invite two of his ex-girlfriends to his nuptials–and this isn't out of the norm, William reportedly invited five of his in 2011. Both Bonas and Davy have been said to have remained on good terms with the Prince after dating him, and the two have also since developed a friendship with one another.
Harry famously dated Davy between 2004 and 2011, and was with Bonas from 2014 to 2016. According to Town & Country, "both women are apparently on good terms with the Prince," so invites were sent and both attended.
Victoria & David Beckham
The fashion designer formally known as Posh Spice and the superstar footballer were guests at Prince William and Catherine's wedding in 2011, and so it was no surprise when the two arrived at Windsor Castle. Victoria's look gave us deja vu–she also wore navy to Will and Kate's wedding–but this time her look wasn't maternity (she was pregnant in 2011 with the couple's daughter, Harper).
2,640 Members of the Public
Harry and Meghan haven't forgotten about us normals. The couple also invited 1,200 members of the public "from every corner of the United Kingdom" (who were nominated by nine regional Lord Lieutenant offices), 200 people from charities they're associated with, 100 students from local schools with close ties to Windsor Castle (The Royal School in Great Park and St. George's School), 610 Windsor residents and members of St. George's Chapel and 530 members of the Royal Households and Crown Estate. While most of these invitees were not invited to sit inside the Chapel, they were awaiting the couple upon their exit from their ceremony.
Daniella Timperley
Who is Daniella Timperley? She's a high school student from Ireland lucky enough to score an invite to the royal wedding. CBS News reports that Timperley's grammar school announced on Twitter that she received an invitation as an ode of gratitude from the couple for her extraordinary charity work. Timperley was invited to sit in St. George's Chapel for the ceremony, and attend the luncheon hosted by the Queen at St. George's Hall.
Prince Seeiso of Lesotho
Prince Harry reportedly invited guests from Malawi, with whom he worked on a conservation project, along with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, who co-founded Sentebale with Prince Harry, a charity focused on providing aid to children diagnosed with HIV. "Sentebale" means "Forget Me Not" in Sesotho; forget-me-nots were Princess Diana's favorite flower, and Prince Harry named the organization (inspired by her work with HIV patients) after his late mother.
The Survivors of the Grenfell fire
Last June, a public housing fire at Grenfell Tower in west London killed at least 80 people. In support of those who survived the horrific tragedy, Harry and Meghan invited the survivors of the fire to be with them in St. George's Chapel as they exchanged their vows.