Private jet charter to the royal wedding

After announcing their engagement on November 27, 2017, Prince Harry and California-born Hollywood actress Meghan Markle have spent months planning the most unconventional British royal wedding in history. From the venue to the florist, the couple’s big day will be modern and fresh compared to royal weddings of the past; such as Prince William and Kate Middleton’s 2011 nuptials, which were steeped in tradition.

Prince Harry and Ms Markle’s wedding will no doubt garner as much media attention as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s, when thousands of street parties took over neighborhoods across both the UK and the Commonwealth and tens of millions of people watched the fairytale wedding through televised broadcasts and streaming services (YouTube alone racked up an incredible 72 million live streams).

The date and the dress

On December 15, 2017, Kensington Palace confirmed that Prince Harry and Ms Markel are to marry on May 19, 2018. The couple is due to wed on a Saturday, which goes against the royal protocol of weddings taking place on a weekday – Wills and Kate married on Friday, April 29, 2011; Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer on Wednesday, July 29, 1981; and Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip on Thursday, November 20, 1947. And Prince Harry and Ms Markel’s rebuke of royal protocol doesn’t stop there – the couple announced they are to wed at St. George’s Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle, rather than at Westminster Abbey which is a Royal Peculiar (a church that belongs directly to the monarchy).

Ms Markle’s wedding dress is the biggest fashion commission of 2018, with many British and international fashion designers competing for the top job. As with Kate Middleton, the chosen designer won’t be named until the big day; however a number of high fashion and couture designers are in the running, from Canadian-Turkish designer Erdem (a known favourite of Ms Markle) to American designer Oscar de la Renta and Miss Markle’s friend, New York-based designer Misha Nonoo.

Hotly tipped to be creating the dress of the year are Australian design duo Tamara Ralph and Michael Russo, known as Ralph & Russo, who are known for their floaty and dream-like pastel dresses created with the help of a 300-strong atelier team. The decision to go with an international designer would be another break from tradition – royal brides typically wear a British designer, like Kate Middleton in 2011 with her Alexander McQueen gown. In terms of the dress design, fashion luminaries are hoping Ms Markel opts for an iconic style like Harry’s mother, Lady Diana Spencer, whose show-stopping number by David and Elizabeth Emanuel propelled her to global fashionista status back in 1981.

The cake, flowers and all-star guest list

Details of the royal wedding might be scant thus far, but one thing we do know is the flavour of the all-important wedding cake. Prince Harry and Ms Markle have ditched the classic multi-layered fruit cake in favour of a lemon and elderflower bake topped with buttercream and adorned with fresh flowers by Claire Ptak, owner of Hackney-based patisserie Violet Bakery. Additionally, the soon-to-be Duke and Dutchess have opted for some color in their flower arrangements, a move away from the all-white bouquet accompaniments of past royal weddings. The flower arrangements at St. George’s Chapel will be designed by Philippa Craddock – dubbed the “Queen of London florists” by British Vogue – with peonies rumored to be adding a pop of color.

The guest list has been one of the focal points leading up to the latest royal wedding. In February 2018, Spice Girl Melanie Brown hinted that the world-famous girl band were reuniting for one last performance after confirming they’d be in attendance. Elton John has also fueled speculation he’s performing by canceling two of his Las Vegas residency dates in May. Tennis superstar Serena Williams and the main cast and key executives of Ms Markel’s popular Netflix series Suits are additional rumored guests at St. George’s Chapel, along with 2,640 members of the British public who have been invited to celebrate from the grounds.

The honeymoon and more

Several rumors have circulated over recent weeks about potential locations for the latest royal honeymoon. The current front-runner is Rwanda in the heart of Africa, a place beloved by the couple – they’ve vacationed there together and Ms Markle also visited as a World Vision Global Ambassador, an experience she later described as “incredible”. Other potential honeymoon destinations include Palawan in the Philippines; Botswana, where Harry traveled shortly after his mother’s death and where the couple spent Ms Markle's 36th birthday; and Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast in Italy. According to reports, Ms Markle is footing the estimated £140,000 (approx. $199,000) honeymoon bill in another never-before-seen gesture that points to a truly 21st-century royal relationship.

Charter a private jet to the UK to enjoy the royal wedding in quintessential style, either in the grounds of St. George’s Chapel or at a celebratory street party. Following the British festivities, why not emulate the royal couple and continue on to Rwanda, the Philippines or another exotic location favored by Prince Harry and Ms Markle? Contact us to arrange your private jet charter or for more information.