As the countdown to the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle begins, excitement is in the air. With just a couple of months to go, it’s time to prepare your attire for the occasion. If you find yourself wondering where your formal invitation is, rest assured that Kensington Palace has confirmed that the invites are indeed on their way. The official Twitter account of Kensington Palace announced today that 600 invitations have been sent out, accompanied by an image of the elegant cards, just in case yours goes missing in transit.
The invitations feature ornate calligraphy, stating: “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.”
Notably, a dress code is included: “Dress: Uniform. Morning coat or lounge suit, day dress with hat.” This suggests that Prince Harry, serving as Captain General of the Royal Marines, may don military attire for the big day. Meanwhile, many of us will find ourselves frantically searching for the definition of “day dress,” which turns out to mean simply “a dress suitable for daytime wear.” Perhaps opting for a lounge suit will be easier, whatever that entails.
The invitations themselves reflect a traditional aesthetic, and Kensington Palace has shared details about their meticulous creation, indicating that no expense was spared in the process. Crafted by Barnard & Westwood, a London-based printing and bookbinding firm, the invitations have a longstanding relationship with the royal family, having produced invitations for the Queen and Prince of Wales since 1985. The Managing Director, Oliver Bates, expressed his delight at being involved in such a significant occasion.
Each invite was hand-printed using die stamping on a vintage machine from the 1930s, affectionately referred to as Maude. The finishing touches, including burnishing and gilding, were performed by a skilled artisan named Clara Green, who recently completed her apprenticeship. Each card features the golden Three Feather Badge of The Prince of Wales, adding a touch of elegance to the otherwise understated design. Interestingly, the invitations utilized American ink paired with English paper, showcasing a charming nod to the couple’s transatlantic romance.
All 600 guests are invited to the ceremony at St George’s Chapel, followed by a lavish lunch at Windsor Castle hosted by the Queen (do make sure not to spill anything on your day dress). After this, 200 select guests will attend a more intimate reception at Frogmore House, hosted by The Prince of Wales. Meanwhile, the rest of the nation will tune in for the Football Association Cup Final, which starts at 5:30 p.m.—a viewing opportunity available to all, no ornate invitation required.
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In summary, the royal wedding invitations signify a momentous occasion filled with tradition and elegance, and while we wait for our own invites, it’s clear that the celebration will be one for the history books.