Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in impressive royal wedding

Press Trust of India  |  Windsor 

Britain's and were today pronounced man and wife at the majestic in Castle where the couple exchanged vows in the presence of 600 guests as millions of people around the world watched the historic event.

The exchanged their vows and rings in the presence of 600 guests, which included the likes of Meghan's close friend Indian and other celebrities like and Amal Clooney, David and and Sir

After their marriage ceremony, and Meghan emerged from the chapel -- Household Cavalry lining the steps -- and shared their first kiss as a married couple. The crowd cheered wildly on witnessing the much-awaited scene.

The service was conducted by the of with Justin Welby, the of and the of the Anglican Church, overseeing the exchange of vows. A black US bishop, Michael Bruce Curry, gave the address.

The became official when read this: "In the presence of God, and before this congregation, and Meghan have given their consent and made their marriage vows to each other. They have declared their marriage by the joining of hands and by the giving and receiving of rings. I therefore proclaim that they are husband and wife."

Harry, 33, and Meghan, 36, became the sixteenth to celebrate their Marriage at Castle since 1863.

Harry was seen smiling as Meghan entered the Chapel with Prince Prince stepped into the role of Meghan's father and walked her down the aisle for her marriage with Harry after it was confirmed that her father Thomas Sr would not be attending the wedding ceremony due to ill-health.

The newly-wed would be doing a tour of the Prince William sat by the side of his brother Harry, as his best man, as they awaited the bride's arrival for the ceremony at 12 noon local time.

Markle's mother, Doria Ragland, arrived earlier as the only member of Markle's family to attend the wedding. After an hour-long ceremony, which included hymns and readings, the newly-weds set off to take a tour of Windsor city centre in a traditional open-top Ascot landau horse-drawn carriage. city centre of Windsor in a traditional horse-driven Ascot Landau carriage.

Prince Harry's niece, three-year-old Charlotte, was one of the six young girls chosen as bridesmaids at the wedding and her elder brother, Prince George, aged four, was a pageboy among a total of 10 children chosen for the roles.

The royal couple choose modern touch to their marriage ceremony.

Instead of using traditional vows, the royal couple selected words from The from Common Worship (2000).

They pledged themselves to one another: "for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part".

The featured contemporary language - using the word "you" instead of "thee" and "thou" and offers the most flexibility in the choice of readings and prayers.

Senior members of the royal family and a raft of celebrities were among the 600 invited guests and another 2,640 members of the public watched the ceremony from the grounds of

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First Published: Sat, May 19 2018. 18:00 IST