Save the date, world! Meghan and Harry to marry on Saturday May 19 'so more people around the world can watch the wedding on TV' (even though it clashes with the FA Cup final and you can forget an extra day off)
- The couple have chosen FA Cup Final day to walk down the aisle at Windsor
- Wedding could clash with coverage of UK's biggest football match of the year
- Harry and Meghan break protocol by choosing Saturday so public can see it
- But May 19 confirms that there will be no extra bank holiday for British workers
- Conflict as Prince William will be Harry's best man but is also president of the FA
- The Suits star, 36, will be baptised and confirmed by CofE before May ceremony
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will marry on May 19 at Windsor Castle's famous St George's chapel, it was revealed today.
The couple have chosen to ignore royal tradition and walk down the aisle on a Saturday so more people in the UK and across the globe can watch on TV or even come to Berkshire on their wedding day.
A royal aide told MailOnline today: 'They remain hugely grateful for the messages of support they have received from people all over the world'.
But football fans are bemused because they will wed on FA Cup Final day even though Harry's best man Prince William is FA President and usually presents its famous trophy to the winners at Wembley.
It could also lead to a TV coverage clash of the first major royal wedding since 2011 and the biggest football match of the year in Britain.
The date also means Harry and his fiancee will not to marry on either the early May or late May bank holidays as wished for by some working Britons.
And May 19 ensures that the wedding will not overshadow the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's third child in April and allow Kate the time to recover.
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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will marry on Saturday, May 19 at Windsor Castle, Kensington Palace has revealed today
The Suits star, 36, will be baptised and confirmed before she marries Harry (pictured today at Sandhurst) at St George's chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle on a Saturday
Kensington Palace confirmed the date - which clashes with the FA Cup Final
They want at intimate church service at St George's where Prince Edward married bride Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999 (pictured)
Royal sources insisted last night the events would not overlap, which suggests the wedding could take place in the morning, with the Cup Final in the late afternoon.
A royal aide said the couple opted for a weekend wedding because they wanted as many members of the public to be involved as possible, whether by watching it on television or attending in person at Windsor.
The Mail understands Harry and Meghan were keen to avoid the possibility of having to declare a bank holiday and wanted the wedding to seem more informal.
‘Most couples get married on a Saturday and it wasn’t as if they had to worry about another couple already having snagged the date,’ said a source.
Last night the Mail revealed the Archbishop of Canterbury will marry Prince Harry and divorcee Meghan, in another sign of changing royal and religious mores.
In a radio interview yesterday Justin Welby declined to say whether he would officiate at the service, saying only that it was 'up to them'.
But the Mail understands that he has, in fact, already agreed to marry the couple in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle in May.
The Suits star, 36, will be baptised and confirmed before the ceremony at St George's chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle.
May 19 is an inauspicious day for one former royal because it was when Anne Boleyn was beheaded on the orders of Henry VIII at the Tower of London in 1536.
Royal weddings usually take place on a weekday. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wed on a Friday and the Queen on a Thursday.
Kate's sister Pippa married on May 20 thsi year.
The wedding falls on the day of the 2018 FA Cup Final.
As President of the Football Association, Harry's older brother the Duke of Cambridge usually attends the high-profile match and presents the trophy.
But this year, William, who is tipped to be Harry's best man, looks likely to be otherwise engaged with wedding duties.
Commenting on the fixture clash, an FA spokesman said: 'Saturday May 19 promises to be a wonderful day with such a special royal occasion being followed by English football's showpiece event, the Emirates FA Cup Final.
'With millions coming together to watch both events at home and around the world, it will be a day to celebrate.'
St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle in Berkshire, which has been chosen as the venue for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Harry and Meghan's engagement was announced by the Prince of Wales on November 27, with Harry saying he was 'thrilled' to be marrying the Suits star – admitting he knew she was 'the one' from 'the first day we met'.
In the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace last month, Meghan showed the world her engagement ring designed by Harry himself - containing two diamonds from Princess Diana's own personal collection set in a gold band.
The prince proposed in early November after getting permission from the Queen and Meghan's parents. They had been engaged for almost a month before announcing the news.
Royal protocol dictated that fifth in line to the throne Harry had to ask his grandmother the Queen for permission to marry and she agreed in the month where she celebrated her own 70th wedding anniversary.
Harry revealed a year ago he had fallen for the actress after a four to six month secret relationship.
Harry says he knew Meghan was 'the one' from 'the first day we met' and proposed while roasting a chicken
Command attention like Meghan in a military coat by Mackage
With the excitement of the announcement that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are planning to marry still fresh in our minds, there was a lot of anticipation surrounding their first joint engagement.
The happy couple were in Nottingham, and we can't help but think that Meghan is going to fit in just fine with the Royal Family, at least when it comes to style.
Following on from her Line the Label wrap coat, The Suits actress wore a second smart cover-up, which is by another Canadian label. This double-breasted navy coat is Mackage (whose fans include Princess Eugenie) and we love the leather trim pockets and military-inspired details. The maxi length makes it both very elegant and practical for the freezing temperatures!
Like the Duchess of Cambridge, Meghan likes to recycle key pieces and has worn this before. Unfortunately that means it has now sold out, but it's coming back so click (right) to pre-order yours.
Or layer up this winter in one of the lookalike options we've got lined up for you in the edit below.
Meghan will be spending her first Christmas with the royals just weeks after her engagement to Prince Harry was announced (pictured together on their first public engagement in Nottingham)
The prince and his American fiancee, who divorced her first husband in 2013, will move into Nottingham Cottage in the grounds of Kensington Palace next door to his brother William and sister-in-law Kate.
The wedding will come about a month after the due date of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's third child.
Harry also asked Meghan's parents Thomas Markle and Doria Ragland, who divorced when their daughter was six, for her hand in marriage before popping the question.
Meghan Markle made history this week after the Queen took the unprecedented step of inviting her to spend Christmas at Sandringham before she marries Prince Harry.
The star, 36, will spend the festive period at Her Majesty's private estate in Norfolk even though Kate Middleton was only asked after she walked down the aisle with Prince William in 2011.
The Queen's invitation to the US-born actress is further evidence of the royal family's warm welcome for her ahead of the couple's May wedding at Windsor Castle.
Meghan, who will take British citizenship and get baptised by the Church of England before the wedding, will also attend the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church, Sandringham.
She and Harry, 33, who are now living together in a two-bed cottage in the grounds of Kensington Palace, will also take part in the traditional walk to mass by the entire royal family.
Confirming the news today a Kensington Palace spokesman said: 'You can expect to see The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Ms Markle at Sandringham on Christmas Day.'
The Prince of Wales toured the Ramsbury Estate in Marlborough where he met local children on the day his youngest son's wedding date was announced
'What guy agrees to marry on FA Cup final day?': Harry and Meghan's royal wedding is already upsetting the commoners... as Twitter users bemoan its clash with another crucial match
Football fans reacted with incredulity today after the royal wedding was revealed to have been booked for the same day as the FA Cup final.
The marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will take place on Saturday, May 19, 2018 at St George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle in Berkshire.
But exactly six months ago today, the 2017/18 FA Cup final was announced for the same day about 18 miles away at Wembley Stadium in North West London.
The start time for the wedding nor the football match has yet been announced, but last season's final in May between Arsenal and Chelsea began at 5.30pm.
As President of the Football Association, Harry's older brother the Duke of Cambridge usually attends the high-profile match and presents the trophy.
But this year, William, who is tipped to be Harry's best man, looks likely to be otherwise engaged with wedding duties.
Football supports and other Twitter users spoke of their amazement at the two events clashing – with some suggesting it will keep the police on their toes.
Sophia Cannon tweeted: 'Royal Wedding on May 19 2018. Saturday, no Bank Holiday! It's also the date of the FA Cup Final. The pub TV wars are going to interesting.'
Another added: 'FA Cup final day... royal wedding day... transport, police.. yeah, they haven't thought that one through have they.'
A third said: 'Woah, woah, woah, the royal wedding and FA Cup date clash. Someone needs to sort this out before they book a venue or anything. Someone DM Harry.'
Royal weddings usually take place on a weekday. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wed on a Friday and the Queen on a Thursday,
Attention! Prince Harry steps in for the Queen at Sandhurst to inspect the recruits at Sandhurst as his wedding date is revealed
Prince Harry returned to his old stomping ground of Sandhurst military academy today when he stepping in for the Queen to present honours.
Harry, who graduated from the institution 11 years ago, represented his grandmother at the historic Sovereign's Parade, handing out awards to four of the top officer cadets passing out.
The appearance came on the same day that it was announced his wedding to Meghan Markle would take place on May 19.
Harry shared some personal memories of his own passing out, joking that his thoughts had been focused on the chilly weather rather than his achievement in becoming an officer.
Prince Harry returned to Sandhurst military academy to hand out awards to cadet officers
As part of the visit, Harry inspected troops on the parade ground at the Sovereign's Day Parade
He undertook the duties on the same day as the date of his wedding was publicly announced
Addressing the new recruits on the bright but bitterly cold December day, he said: 'It is not the first time that I have been a part of this parade but it is certainly my first one facing in this direction - and with facial hair!
'A little over 11 years ago, I was stood where you are today. Although I confess, I don't remember any deep thoughts of duty, responsibility and leadership at that point.
'My head was filled with much more immediate concerns: numb feet, the buckle of my braces digging into my collarbone, a burning in my arm from the weight of the rifle; and above all, desperate attempts to remember what the next words of command were, to avoid drawing the attention from the Academy sergeant major one last time!'
The Band of the Scots Guards played music including Adele's Rolling In The Deep, as the soldiers marched in front of Harry.
The Prince represented his grandmother, The Queen, at the event as younger royals take on more duties from the monarch
He inspected the officers at the The Sovereign's Parade, which is held at the end of each term
He presented a number of honours at the military academy, including the Sword of Honour
Harry told the recruits about his own memories of when he took part in the parade
He joked that he was pleased that this time he had taken to the parade ground with facial hair
He presented the Sword of Honour to Senior Under Officer Charles Rex, from Dorset, and the Queen's Medal to Officer Cadet George Harrison from Wiltshire.
The International Award was presented to Officer Cadet Mingdong Tang from China, and the International Sword to Officer Cadet Milosh Trendevski from Macedonia.
The Sovereign's Parade takes place at the end of each term for those who have completed the intensive, year-long Commissioning Course.
More than 200 commissioning officers were on the parade ground in Camberley, Surrey, for the visit of Harry, who left the Army in 2015.
The visit would had brought back memories of his own appearance at the parade in 2006
He was inspected by his grandmother, The Queen, and his father, The Prince of Wales, in 2006
Harry said he remembered his 'numb feet, his braces digging into his collarbone and the weight of his rifle'
Harry presented the Sword of Honour, Overseas Sword, Queen's Medal and International Award.
The prince was inspected by his grandmother the Queen during his own commissioning in April 2006, and was pictured grinning as she smiled at him.
Sandhurst, where the Army's officers are trained, has hosted many famous graduates including the Sultan of Brunei, Sir Winston Churchill, fascist Sir Oswald Mosley, James Bond author Ian Fleming and actor David Niven, as well as members of the royal family, including the Duke of Cambridge.
Harry has previously described his decade-long Army career as 'epic', saying that while it had started as a boyhood dream of his it eventually became a way for him to 'escape the limelight'.
During his 10 years in the military Harry went on two tours of duty to Afghanistan and qualified as an Apache aircraft commander.
Soldiers march onto the parade ground at Sandhurst ahead of the Sovereign's Parade
The Sovereign's Parade takes place at the end of each term for those who have completed the intensive, year-long Commissioning Course
Harry and Meghan souvenirs to go on sale five months before the big day as shops cash in on Royal Wedding
By Claire Duffin
Harry and Meghan souvenirs have gone on sale in the gift shop on the Queen’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
Bookmarks, notebooks, mugs, gold-plated spoons and even fridge magnets featuring the couple are available.
They are all decorated with an official engagement photograph as well as the Union and US flags to mark Miss Markle’s American citizenship. The mugs are the most expensive item at £6.99, with the fridge magnets the cheapest at £1.99.
Ingrid Seward, of Majesty Magazine, said: ‘It’s tacky but clever. They are cashing in.’
A Sandringham spokesman said ‘many royal occasions, both recent and historic, have been commemorated by the production of items’, including Kate and William’s engagement.
Harry and Meghan souvenirs have gone on sale in the gift shop on the Queen’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk
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