Royal family releases official wedding photos
LONDON - Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have released several of their official photographs taken on their wedding day.
The Royal Family's Facebook page and Twitter account shared three photos Monday morning, taken by photographer Alexi Lubomirski. In the first image, the newlyweds are joined by several members of the royal family, including The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Markle's mother, the bridesmaids, and the pageboys. It was taken in The Green Drawing Room in Windsor Castle.
The second image shows The Duke and Duchess of Sussex surrounded by their young bridesmaids and pageboys. The third image is a stunning black and white shot of the couple sitting on the East Terrace at Windsor Castle.
The Royal Family released the following statement with the photos on Monday:
"The Duke and Duchess of Sussex would like to thank everyone who took part in the celebrations of their wedding on Saturday. They feel so lucky to have been able to share their day with all those gathered in Windsor and also all those who watched the wedding on television across the UK, Commonwealth, and around the world.
Their Royal Highnesses are delighted with these official portraits taken by Alexi Lubomirski and are happy to be able to share them today. They would also like to say thank you for all of the generous messages of support they have received."
The newlyweds have not been seen in public since they left Windsor Castle in a rare 1968 Jaguar convertible for a Saturday night reception hosted by the groom's father, Prince Charles.
They were expected to return to their home at Kensington Palace in London on Sunday, but the palace did not provide updates or details. Markle's bridal bouquet was laid at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior at the British capital's Westminster Abbey.
The wedding was the only topic of the day in Britain's newspapers and on its television networks. The tone of the press coverage was congratulatory, with publications taking pride in the evident British flair for producing memorable events with fantastic settings and split-second precision.
The royal family, understandably thrilled by the good weather and good will, expressed gratitude to the visitors and viewers who came to Windsor or tuned in via TV.
"Thank you to everyone who came to Windsor and those who followed from around the UK, the Commonwealth, and the world," the royals said.
After the big day, Queen Elizabeth II returned to her normal routine. She was seen being driven back to Windsor Castle after attending a Sunday morning church service.
The designer of Markle's deceptively simple wedding gown and elaborate veil said Sunday that she received the special commission in early January and managed to keep it secret not only from the inquisitive British press, but from her family.
"It was an extraordinary moment when she told me," said Clare Waight Keller, a Briton who made history as the first female artistic director at French fashion house Givenchy. "Of course, it's an incredible thing to be part of such a historic moment."
She said the design process had been collaborative.
"I think she loved the fact that I was a British designer and working in a house such as Givenchy, which has its roots in a very classical, beautiful style," Waight Keller said.
Hair stylist Serge Norman, who came from New York to do Markle's hair, said she was relaxed in the hours before the ceremony.
"She was calm, yeah," he said. "Chatty, absolutely. We were definitely having exchanges, yeah for sure. She was very happy. It was a beautiful morning, just the perfect morning to get married."
The couple spent their first night as a married couple at Windsor Castle. They are breaking with tradition by delaying a honeymoon. Before the wedding, Markle said she wanted to take up royal duties immediately. They plan to fulfill their first royal work engagement as a married couple Tuesday, when they attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace to honor Prince Charles and his charity work. Charles' 70th birthday is later this year.
Palace officials have been vague about Harry and Markle's honeymoon plans, but they are expected to take a honeymoon in the near future.
No destination has been announced, and the couple may choose a place where they can relax without being trailed by photographers. Harry took Markle on a camping trip in Botswana shortly after they met and started dating.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.