Marie Claire UK Marie Claire UK
  • Fashion Fashion
      • Fashion
        • View all Fashion
        • Fashion Trends
        • Shopping
        • Watches and Jewellery
        • Fashion News
  • Beauty Beauty
      • Beauty
        • View all Beauty
        • Fragrance
        • Hair
        • Make Up
        • Skincare
        • Nails
        • Marie Claire Beauty Awards
  • Health Health
      • Health
        • View all Health
        • Fitness
        • Nutrition
        • Female Health
        • Wellbeing
  • Life Life
      • Life
        • View all Life
        • Opinions
        • Travel
        • Sustainability
        • Weddings
        • Money & Work
        • Competitions
  • Culture Culture
      • Culture
        • View all Culture
        • TV and Film
        • Celebrity News
        • Books
        • Royal News
  • Vouchers Vouchers
      • Clothing
        • View all Vouchers
        • Mint Velvet
        • Karen Millen
        • H&M
        • nobody's child
        • ASOS
        • ARKET
        • MANGO
      • Designer Clothing
        • View all Vouchers
        • Reiss
        • THE OUTNET
        • SSENSE
        • Mytheresa
        • Liberty London
        • Selfridges
        • Farfetch
      • Accessories
        • View all Vouchers
        • AllSaints
        • Aspinal of London
        • Charles & Keith
        • River Island
        • FitFlop
        • Kate Spade
        • Vagabond
      • Jewellery
        • View all Vouchers
        • Pandora
        • Abbott Lyon
        • Goldsmiths
        • Beaverbrooks
        • Astrid & Miyu
        • Swarovski
        • Angara Jewellery
      • Beauty
        • View all Vouchers
        • Sephora
        • Cult Beauty
        • Space NK
        • Dyson
        • Clarins
        • Look Fantastic
        • Clinique
      • Activewear
        • View all Vouchers
        • Lululemon
        • Gymshark
        • Sweaty Betty
        • Nike
        • adidas
        • New Balance
        • Helly Hansen
  • NEWSLETTER Signup to our newsletter
  • logoCreated with Sketch.
    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!


    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    You are now subscribed

    Your newsletter sign-up was successful


    An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
    Trending
    • Women in Sport 2026
    • Marie Claire Masters
    • Autumn Winter 2026
    • Nail Trends 2026
    • Best Investment Bags
    • Best Perfumes
    1. Culture
    2. Celebrity News
    3. Royal News

    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal wedding reception was modern AF

    We can't deal.

    Jenny Proudfoot's avatar
    By Jenny Proudfoot
    Published 20 May 2018 In News

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    meghan second dress
    (Image credit: Getty)
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Pinterest
    Share this article
    Join the conversation
    Follow us
    Add us as a preferred source on Google
    Subscribe to our newsletter

    We can't deal.

    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tied the knot today at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, in quite possibly the most star-studded ceremony in history.

    But while the royal wedding guests ranged from Victoria Beckham and Amal Clooney to Serena Williams and Oprah, and the ceremony will go down as one of the most touching of all time, it’s what happened after the wedding that really made news.

    The Queen threw the couple a luxury luncheon reception, before the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex changed into their evening attire - a tux for Harry and a Stella McCartney gown for Meghan, and made their way to their exclusive royal wedding party.

    A photo posted by on

    But what was involved in the celebrations?

    You may like
    • Andy Burnham and Marie-France van Heel entering 10 Downing Street “Are We Just Jealous?” Victoria Moss Unpacks the Sexist, Ageist Commentary Around Marie-France van Heel’s Victoria Beckham Dress
    • Wedding planning I Love My Fiancé, but I Resent the Emotional Labour of Planning Our Wedding
    • A montage of photos from the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone Circuit How the British Grand Prix Has Become the UK’s Most Glamorous Sporting Weekend

    The Queen's luncheon was attended by a select 600, featuring luxury canapés from Scottish langoustine wrapped in smoked salmon and croquette of confit Windsor lamb to poached free range chicken, with the main event of course being the £50,000 lemon and elderflower wedding cake by East London baker Claire Ptak.

    A photo posted by on

    The speeches were reportedly a highlight, with Prince William's best man speech said to have gone down the sentimental route rather than embarrassing. Prince Charles filled in however, reportedly entertaining the audience and leaving them 'in stitches' over tales of changing Prince Harry's nappy, before gushing over how much of a beautiful couple the new Duke and Duchess make.

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    In the absence of Meghan Markle’s father, Thomas Markle, there was talk as to who would be giving the traditional ‘father of the bride’ speech but according to reports Meghan gave a speech herself.

    As predicted, Elton John sang, with Harry introducing the close friend of his late mother by announcing to the crowd, 'Can anyone here play the piano?’ Elton then reportedly went on to perform a mini concert, singing Tiny Dancer, Your Song and Circle of Life.

    And proving themselves to be millennials to the max, Harry and Meghan reportedly forwent a traditional sit down wedding meal, instead serving their guests on-trend bowled food.

    What to read next
    • Eva Omaghomi After 17 years in the Royal Household, Eva Omaghomi Talks Bringing African Design Talent to Harrods
    • Cece Jewellery A Day in the Life of Cece Fein-Hughes, the Jewellery Designer Loved by Celebrities
    • Dior Haute Couture AW26 runway From Chanel to Balenciaga—I Can't Stop Thinking About These Incredible Haute Couture Fashion Week Looks

    Then came the after party...

    meghan second dress

    Photo: Getty
    (Image credit: Getty)

    Attended by just 200 guests at Frogmore House, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are said to have opted for a Tiki theme for their evening party, with frozen strawberry sparklers, apache shooters, an ice luge and a huge firework display.

    And let’s not forget the wedding food, with the couple reported to have served South African wagyu beef and dirty burgers. Food trucks are even said to have turned up later serving up american sliders, ice creams and candy floss into the night.

    And drinks-wise, there were even said to be personalised cocktails, with the 'When Harry Met Meghan' cocktail reportedly being a mix of ginger and rum.

    A photo posted by on

    While the official guest list for the royal wedding after party still isn't known and social media was forbidden at the event to protect the privacy of the newlyweds and their guests, many A-listers uploaded snaps of themselves on the way to the event, giving us an idea of the exclusive after party guest list, from Serena Williams to Jessica Mulroney.

    If there's one thing for sure, it looks like it was the party of the year.

    Jenny Proudfoot
    Jenny Proudfoot
    Social Links Navigation
    Contributing Features Editor

    Jenny Proudfoot is an award-winning journalist, specialising in lifestyle, culture, entertainment, international development and politics. After working at Marie Claire UK for seven years - rising from intern to Features Editor - she is now a freelance contributor to the News and Features section.

    In 2021, Jenny was named as a winner on the PPA's '30 under 30' list, and was also listed as a rising star in journalism.

    Read more
    Andy Burnham and Marie-France van Heel entering 10 Downing Street
    Fashion “Are We Just Jealous?” Victoria Moss Unpacks the Sexist, Ageist Commentary Around Marie-France van Heel’s Victoria Beckham Dress
    Wedding planning
    Relationships I Love My Fiancé, but I Resent the Emotional Labour of Planning Our Wedding
     
     
    A montage of photos from the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone Circuit
    Health and Fitness How the British Grand Prix Has Become the UK’s Most Glamorous Sporting Weekend
    Eva Omaghomi
    Fashion After 17 years in the Royal Household, Eva Omaghomi Talks Bringing African Design Talent to Harrods
     
     
    Latest in Royal News
    The Prince and Princess of Wales visit the Isles of Mull and Iona
    Royal News Royal Experts Predict a Major Milestone From Princess Kate This Autumn
    The Duke and Duchess of Sussex in Colombia
    Royal News Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Had a Secret UK Home in the First Year of Their Marriage
     
     
    The Prince and Princess of Wales visit Southport
    Royal News Prince William Has Given an Emotional Update on Princess Kate
    The Prince and Princess of Wales attend a state visit by the President of the French Republic in 2025
    Royal News Why Prince William and Princess Kate ‘Won’t Change" Their Minds on the Buckingham Palace Situation
     
     
    Latest in News
    The Beauty Digest: New Products to Know
    Beauty The Beauty Digest: A Foundation With Infinite Shades, Diptyque Does Bodycare, and the Exhibition Every Beauty Lover Should See
    Eva Omaghomi
    Fashion After 17 years in the Royal Household, Eva Omaghomi Talks Bringing African Design Talent to Harrods
     
     
    New Beauty Products: The Beauty Digest
    Beauty The Beauty Digest: Dyson Does Teeth, Fenty Rips Up the Rulebook (Again) and a Surprisingly Fragrant Week for Dogs
    Jodie Comer
    Shopping Jodie Comer Just Announced the Start of Knee-High Boots Season
     
     
    logoCreated with Sketch.
    • Site Archive
    • Contact Future's experts
    • Contact us
    • Terms and conditions
    • Advertise with us
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies policy
    • About us
    Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google

    Marie Claire UK is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

    © Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.