With only a matter of weeks to go, new details about the upcoming royal wedding are being released almost every day. First up, we look at the invitations
The invitations for Harry and Meghan’s big day on 19 May have been sent out and, luckily for us, we all got a sneak peek. Posted to 600 lucky guests at the end of March, they’ll get to attend the wedding ceremony itself as well as a lunchtime reception hosted by the Queen. Following on from that, 200 close friends have been invited to an after party at Frogmore House, a royal residence where Harry and Meghan spent time together while dating.
Sent by Prince Charles, the invitations read as follows:
‘His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales KG KT requests the pleasure of the company of……. 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.’
It goes on to state the dress code as ‘uniform, morning coat or lounge suit, or day dress with hat’.
The invitations themselves were produced by Barnard and Westwood; a printing and bookbinding company based in Clerkenwell, the heart of London’s creative district. The printing house has held a Royal Warrant from the Queen since 1985, and holds another from the Prince of Wales. Lottie Small, who has recently completed her apprenticeship at the firm, created the invitations on a die stamping machine – which she affectionately named Maude –from the 1930s. Die-stamped in gold, burnished, and topped with the three feathered badge of the Prince of Wales, the invitations were made with American ink on English card – a sweet touch to reflect the couple’s union.
Austen Kopley, managing director of the firm, said: “The wedding of Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle will be a truly special occasion and we are thrilled to be able to create equally special invitations for their guests. We are incredibly honoured to continue our longstanding work for The Royal Family, and to be involved in such an important moment for the couple and their family and friends.”
If you weren’t one of the lucky 600, then don’t worry – the wedding is set to be televised. Get the date in your diary!
