After delighting crowds, newlyweds Meghan and Prince Harry celebrate at private reception
An estimated 100,000 people came out to catch a glimpse of the couple after royal wedding
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, now officially the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, were beaming as they departed for their evening reception hours after the Archbishop of Canterbury and head of the Church of England, Justin Welby, proclaimed the couple husband and wife.
Markle wore a white gown with a high neck and bare shoulders designed by Stella McCartney for the reception, which will be hosted by Harry's father, Prince Charles. Harry wore a tuxedo. Both had big smiles as Harry opened the car door for his bride.
The couple made the short drive from Windsor Castle to Frogmore House in a classic Jaguar convertible with the top down. The silver blue Jaguar E-Type Concept Zero was originally manufactured in 1968 and now runs on electricity.
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Earlier on Saturday, more than 100,000 people are estimated to have lined the route of Harry and Meghan's wedding procession under sunny skies in Windsor, near London.
The couple rode a horse-drawn carriage and waved to crowds of well-wishers after their wedding at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle.
Meghan, 36, and Harry, 33, held hands and smiled at each other as Dean of Windsor David Conner began the ceremony, and promised to love and cherish one another "till death us do part" before exchanging rings.
Meghan carried a bouquet that included several flowers handpicked by Harry from a garden at Kensington Palace. The couple also chose forget-me-nots, Diana, Princess of Wales' favourite flower, to honour the memory of Harry's late mother, the palace said.
As the couple stood at the altar, Harry said to Meghan: "You look amazing."
Markle arrived to a fanfare and walked down the aisle accompanied by Prince Charles and by 10 young pageboys and bridesmaids. The children include four-year-old Prince George and three-year-old Princess Charlotte, children of Harry's brother and best man Prince William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
John and Brian Mulroney, both 7, grandsons of former Canadian prime minister Brian Mulroney and children of Ben and Jessica Mulroney, close friends of Markle, held the train as she entered the church.
Harry's father Prince Charles walked Meghan down the aisle after it was announced her own father would not be able to attend because of his health.
Meghan's mother Doria Ragland, 61, accompanied her daughter to the chapel in a vintage Rolls Royce and shed tears at several points during the ceremony.
Meghan's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller. Waight Keller designed a veil representing the distinctive flora of each Commonwealth country united in one spectacular floral composition.
The ceremony included a 14-minute sermon by U.S. Episcopalian Bishop Michael Curry on the "power in love," a reading by Prince Harry's aunt Lady Jane Fellowes (sister of his late mother, Princess Diana), a moving choir rendition of the 1961 gospel-inspired song Stand By Me and a performance by 19-year-old British cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason as the couple signed the register.
After the ceremony, Prince Harry and Meghan shared their first public kiss as a married couple on the steps of the chapel before proceeding to a lunchtime reception for 600 people hosted by Harry's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, at St. George's Hall, also located in Windsor Castle.
Prince Charles is hosting a smaller reception in the evening for 200 family members and friends at the nearby Frogmore House, where Harry and Meghan had their engagement photos taken.
Kensington Palace has released a photo and much-anticipated details about the wedding cake that will be served at the reception.
"It was designed by Claire Ptak and features elderflower syrup made at The Queen's residence in Sandringham from the estate's own elderflower trees, as well as a light sponge cake uniquely formulated for the couple," a tweet from the palace said.
The wedding cake is to be served at the Reception. It was designed by Claire Ptak and features elderflower syrup made at The Queen’s residence in Sandringham from the estate’s own elderflower trees, as well as a light sponge cake uniquely formulated for the couple. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/royalwedding?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#royalwedding</a> <a href="https://t.co/kt5lE4tEn9">pic.twitter.com/kt5lE4tEn9</a>
—@KensingtonRoyal"A filling made from Amalfi lemon curd and elderflower buttercream ties all the elements together. The cake is decorated with Swiss meringue buttercream and 150 fresh flowers, mainly British, and in season, including peonies and roses."
The marriage between Harry, who is sixth in line to the throne, and Meghan, an American actor who lived for years in Toronto, has drawn intense interest worldwide.
Several celebrities were in attendance, including Oprah Winfrey; actor Idris Elba; David and Victoria Beckham; George and Amal Clooney; British actor Carey Mulligan; musician Marcus Mumford; Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra; U.S. tennis star Serena Williams; and some of Meghan's co-stars from the TV series Suits.
Harry also invited buddies from his 10 years of military service — which included two tours of duty in Afghanistan — and from many of the charities he supports, which have focused on helping wounded veterans and encouraging a more open discussion of mental health issues.
Elton John attended with his husband, David Furnish, and sang at the afternoon reception hosted by the Queen, according to a statement issued by Kensington Palace.
The royal couple, who met on a blind date in 2016 and fell in love in a tent under the stars in Botswana, tied the knot in a castle that has been home to 39 monarchs since 1066.
There were plenty of Union Jacks and Stars and Stripes lining the procession route, but Canadian expats and tourists also made their presence known.
Among those screaming the loudest was Crystal Kattenhorn of Cambridge, Ont., who planted herself along The Long Walk that leads to Windsor Castle, where the ceremony took place.
"I've been obsessed with royalty since I was born — my family emigrated from Britain, I married a British man," Kattenhorn said moments after getting a glimpse at the newlyweds when their carriage passed by. "I've always wanted to see royalty."
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement to congratulate the royal couple on Saturday. Unlike many royal weddings, world leaders were not invited to the wedding.
"Today, Canadians joined in celebration as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle married at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle," Trudeau's statement said.
"Sophie and I congratulate the newlyweds on behalf of the Government of Canada. We wish Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Sussex a lifetime of happiness, and all the best as they start this new chapter together. We look forward to welcoming them on a future visit to Canada."
Trudeau announced Canada would "celebrate their union" by donating $50,000 to Jumpstart, a Canadian charity dedicated to making play and sports more accessible to children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
With files from The Associated Press, The Canadian Press and Reuters