As excitement builds for the royal wedding set to take place in just a few months, it’s time to prepare your outfit—whatever that might mean for you. If you’re curious about the whereabouts of your invitation to the much-anticipated ceremony of Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle, rest assured that Kensington Palace has confirmed they are currently in transit. This morning, the official Kensington Palace Twitter account announced that 600 invitations have been mailed out, complete with a photo of the elegant cards, just in case yours goes astray.
The invitations are adorned with beautiful calligraphy that states: “His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales KG KT requests the pleasure of the company of [blank] at the marriage of His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales with Ms. Meghan Markle at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle on Saturday, 19th May 2018 at 12 Noon, followed by a reception at Windsor Castle.” Each invite also specifies a dress code: “Dress: Uniform. Morning coat or lounge suit, day dress with hat.” This suggests that Prince Harry, a Captain General of the Royal Marines, may don his military attire for the occasion. Meanwhile, we might find ourselves frantically searching for the meaning of “day dress,” which seems to generally imply a dress suitable for daytime. Perhaps we’ll opt for a lounge suit instead—whatever that entails.
Given their traditional design, the invitations reflect the royal couple’s commitment to elegance. Kensington Palace has highlighted the meticulous process behind their creation, indicating that the couple is not skimping on quality. Each invitation was crafted by Barnard & Westwood, a London-based, employee-owned printing and bookbinding company that has been producing royal invitations since 1985. Managing Director Ethan Lawson expressed his enthusiasm for the project, noting, “The wedding of Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle will be a truly momentous event, and we are delighted to create equally memorable invitations for their guests.”
The intricate process involved hand-printing through die stamping on a vintage 1930s machine affectionately named Maude. Fine details, such as burnishing and gilding, were executed by Lila Greene, who recently completed her apprenticeship in printing. Each invitation features the golden Three Feather Badge of The Prince of Wales, adding a touch of sophistication. The invitations utilized American ink and English paper, perhaps a charming nod to the couple’s transatlantic romance, or simply what was available in the print shop.
All 600 invitees will attend the ceremony at St George’s Chapel, followed by a lavish lunch hosted by the Queen at Windsor Castle (make sure not to stain your day dress; it might be your only one). Subsequently, 200 select guests will be invited to an intimate reception at Frogmore House, hosted by The Prince of Wales. Meanwhile, the rest of the nation is expected to tune in to the Football Association Cup Final, which kicks off at 5:30 p.m.—and don’t worry, you can catch that on television without needing an exquisitely crafted invitation.
For those interested in starting their own family journey, resources are available, such as this guide on home insemination kits. For more information on pregnancy and related topics, you can refer to CDC’s excellent resource. Additionally, Baked by Melissa’s founder shares insights that may resonate with those exploring parenthood.
In summary, as we eagerly await our own invitations, the royal wedding is shaping up to be a grand affair, complete with tradition, elegance, and a dash of modernity.