I‘m not surprised by the royal family’s announcement Tuesday that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will marry at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.
Windsor Castle balances public expectations of a royal ceremony with the couple’s desire for secure and enjoyable privacy.
First off, the castle is closed off to the public. So while Harry and Markle will be greeted by crowds on their arrival, they will not have to deal with the public in the same manner as Prince William and Catherine Middleton at London’s Westminster Abbey. As a future King, William must publicize his private life more than his younger brother.
In practical terms, Windsor Castle’s setting means that Harry and Markle’s guests can expect to relax out of the public gaze. The castle’s walls will also allow the couple to enjoy their ceremony without roaring crowds disrupting the proceedings.
That issue of possible disruption also explains another benefit of the castle: its security. As a royal palace, Windsor Castle is guarded by a company of British Army soldiers and by members of the Metropolitan Police’s protection command. Considering Britain’s heightened terrorist threat from Irish-separatist and Islamic extremist groups, St. George’s Chapel is an ideal location to secure. The Castle’s existing security posture and the experience of those guarding it will mean that less preparation is necessary.
Third, Windsor Castle has the banqueting facilities and entertainment spaces needed for the post-ceremony celebrations. As such, unlike with William and Catherine’s guests at their 2011 wedding, Harry and Markle’s guests will not have to repeat security access checks between the ceremony and the celebrations. They’ll simply be able to walk to wherever on the Castle compound the party is being held.
Anyway, if you’re interested, here’s why the Obamas are likely to attend the wedding and why Harry has made a good choice.
And if you’re still interested, here is a video of Prince Harry at his best: soldiering.
