The hotly anticipated Royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is tomorrow, Saturday 19 May. However a last-minute setback has called the couple's plans into confusion, as Ms Markle's father Thomas announced via US celebrity website TMZ that he is due to have an operation and will not attend the ceremony on Saturday.
Yet the wheels for the wedding are still in motion, with the couple promising a wedding focused on fun, joy and a chance to celebrate with the public.
So what's in store for the couple – and how are the final plans affected by this week's changes? Here are all the latest updates about 2018's wedding of the year.
Meghan Markle's family: the latest news
Meghan Markle has confirmed her father Thomas Markle will not be attending her wedding to Prince Harry, saying she hopes he can be given the "space he needs to focus on his health".
Here’s the plan for the royal wedding tomorrow.
Official guests will start arriving around 9:30 a.m., local time, Saturday May 19.
Then Meghan Markle and Prince Harry of Wales are getting married at noon.
After the wedding, about 1 p.m. local time, they are expected to make a procession that will last about half an hour.
For a big chunk of the world, this royal wedding will air at an inconvenient hour. So what? Sometimes you just have to feel the magic live. Here’s when.
So? When’s your royal wedding?
In Hawaii
The wedding is at 1 a.m. on Saturday.
In Vancouver and Los Angeles
The wedding is at 4 a.m. (Bleak!)
In Calgary and Denver
The wedding is at 5 a.m. (Our condolences.)
The highly anticipated wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Saturday will begin at noon London time, meaning that many international fans planning to watch the nuptials will have to schedule accordingly.
Royal family devotees will have plenty of ways to tune into the royal wedding come the weekend, with CBS, ABC, BBC America, TLC, HBO, Hallmark, and E! all offering live streams and commentary starting in the early hours. In the U.S., the wedding will kick off at 1 a.m. in Hawaii, 4 a.m. on the west coast and 7 a.m. on the east coast.
Below is a full list of when the royal wedding starts in each time zone:
In Hawaii (HST): Saturday at 1 a.m.
In Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Seattle, Phoenix, Vancouver (PDT): 4 a.m.
In Calgary and Denver (MDT): 5 a.m.
In Chicago, Dallas, Mexico City (CDT): 6 a.m.
In New York City, Washington, D.C., Miami, Montreal, Toronto, Lima, San Juan (EDT): 7 a.m.
In Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo: 8 a.m.
In Morocco, Western Sahara, Iceland, Greenland: 11 a.m.
In Nigeria, Lisbon, Dublin: Noon
In Rome, Paris, Barcelona, Berlin, Stockholm, Cape Town and Cairo: 1 p.m.
In Jerusalem, Moscow, Athens: 2 p.m.
In Armenia, Georgia: 3 p.m.
In New Delhi, Mumbai: 4:30 p.m.
In Hong Kong, Manila, Taipei, Beijing, Perth: 7 p.m.
In Tokyo, Seoul: 8 p.m.
In Sydney, Melbourne: 9 p.m.
In Auckland: 11 p.m.
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are getting married so all eyes will be on Windsor this weekend for the royal wedding.
Harry and Meghan announced their engagement to a flurry of excitement in November 2017, just days after Harry had popped the question over roast chicken.
But who will be on the guest list? What dress will Meghan wear? There's been a lot to sort out for the £32m event.
There was also a last-minute setback as Meghan's father Thomas claimed on Monday he was no longer planning to attend after reports of his alleged dealings with paparazzi and reports of a heart attack.
Although later expressing he still wished to be at his daughter's wedding, he is understood to be undergoing major heart surgery and will not recover in time for his daughter's big day, according to reports.
We now know Prince Charles will walk Meghan down the aisle.
Everything else seems to be on track though, so what can you expect?
Subscribe to the Mirror's royal podcast Pod Save The Queen for regular updates on the royal wedding gossip, and bookmark this page to catch up with the latest news and rumours...
What time is the royal wedding?
(Image: Getty Images Europe)
Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding will be at noon on Saturday May 19 - this weekend - in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, where Harry was christened.
The service will begin at 12pm, and you'll be able to follow the ceremony on TV, with several channels showing it.
Football fans have joked Harry chose the time so the ceremony wouldn't clash with the FA Cup Final, which is being held on the same day - although Prince William won't be going.
Temperatures are set to reach 18C in Windsor on Harry and Meghan's big day, according to the Met Office, with the sun shining from around 10am until the evening.
Where is the wedding?
(Image: Getty)
The wedding venue was one of the first details confirmed, the day after the couple's engagement announcement. Harry and Meghan will marry in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. Prince Charles and Camilla had their blessing there in 2005 and it was where Harry was christened.
Divorcee Meghan was baptised and confirmed into the Church of England ahead of her wedding day, with a small ceremony at the Chapel Royal in St James’s Palace in early March. The Archbishop of Canterbury described it as "very special".
Why is Thomas Markle Snr not attending?
(Image: Andy Johnstone/Daily Mirror)
Meghan's dad is reportedly not attending the wedding - he allegedly staged paparazzi pics of himself and has also said he suffered a heart attack.
The week of the wedding was supposed to be the first time Mr Markle meets his future son-in-law, Harry.
The Mail on Sunday reported the story at the weekend saying the images were set up, showing CCTV of the paps with Thomas Markle Snr.
The pictures had been published by various outlets earlier this month. Sister Samantha said it was her fault - and her idea - as she tried to shoulder some of the blame. She said they were "positive photos" and it was not done for money. TMZ has since reported Thomas Snr has pulled out of the wedding.
"He's now decided not to go because he doesn't want to embarrass the Royal Family or his daughter," it reported.
Kensington Palace released a statement saying it was a "deeply personal moment for Ms Markle in the days before her wedding" and called for "understand and respect" to be extended to Mr Markle. There was no further comment.
Who could walk Meghan Markle down the aisle?
(Image: Getty)
Who will be in the wedding party?
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We now know Prince Charles will walk Meghan down the aisle.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte already have one page boy and flower girl gig on their CVs - for their aunt Pippa Middleton on her wedding day last May.
George did have a bit of a moment, in tears after the ceremony and with a telling off from mum Kate, but he and his little sister are surely set to be page boy and flower girl for Meghan.
Another potential flower girl is the daughter of Meghan's good friend Jessica Mulroney. Four-year-old Ivy often featured on Meghan's Instagram before it was closed.
But Meghan has chosen not to have a maid of honour or adult bridesmaids. Harry will have ushers but their names have not been announced.
Will Prince William be best man?
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Prince William was officially confirmed as Harry's "Best Man" in an announcement from Kensington Palace on 26 April - three days after the arrival of William and Kate's third child.
The brothers are close, and William was always the obvious choice, particularly since Harry had performed the same role at his brother's wedding in 2011.
His best man duties mean there is absolutely no chance William will be going to the FA Cup final.
Harry's father Prince Charles chose two "supporters" for his wedding, with his brothers Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.
The invitations
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The invitations for the big day were made by London-based Barnard and Westwood - who have had the prestigious job for royal weddings since 1985.
Kensington Palace have revealed that Lottie Small, who recently completed her apprenticeship, printed all of the invitations in a process known as die stamping, on a machine from the 1930s.
The invites have been made using American ink on English card, printed in gold and black.
Meghan Markle's wedding dress - designer and style
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The designer behind Meghan's wedding dress will have a world spotlight, so the job is sure to be in high demand. And the challenge will be on to create something that stands alongside dresses worn by previous royal brides.
Front-runners to design her gown include Erdem, Christopher Bailey of Burberry and Ralph & Russo - who created the £56,000 dress Meghan wore for her official engagement photos.
She’s also previously said she’ll “always be a fan of Elie Saab” when asked about her perfect wedding dress, the Lebanese designer known for embroidery and embellishments.
According to reports, Meghan is set to walk down the aisle in a £100,000 heavily beaded wedding dress by Ralph & Russo - and the designer duo may have given away a clue. The Royal School of Needlework (who created the embroidery for Kate Middleton's wedding dress) tweeted a photo of the R&R team at the school's HQ.
Meghan’s first wedding to director Trevor Engleton saw her wear a simple strapless white dress with a silver belt for the beach ceremony and party.
Will Meghan wear a tiara? Her jewellery
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The Queen loaned Kate the 1936 Cartier halo tiara for her wedding day in 2011, and Meghan could also be loaned jewellery from the royal collection.
Meghan could borrow the Spencer tiara from Princess Diana's side of the family, as a touching tribute to Harry's late mother.
Among the options from the royal jewellery vaults are the Strathmore Rose tiara, the Cartier Bracelet Bandeau and Queen Mary's Fringe tiara - or Meghan could go for something completely bespoke.
The actress always wears her grandma’s charm bracelet on her left wrist, so she’s likely to wear an heirloom from her own family as well as royal jewels on the big day.
And her stunning engagement ring, worth an estimated £50,000, was designed by Prince Harry and has a centre diamond from Botswana, where they went on holiday for her birthday. Either side is a diamond from his mother Princess Diana’s personal collection.
Meghan has also been wearing sparkling jewellery from Birks, picking £5,250 diamond Snowflake earrings for both the Christmas lunch at Buckingham palace and Christmas Day at Sandringham.
She will certainly leave with a ring on her finger - but Prince Harry probably won't wear a wedding ring after their marriage.
The wedding ring
Meghan's wedding band will be made from Welsh gold, following a royal tradition started by the Queen's mother almost a century ago.
Gold from Welsh mines was first used for royal wedding rings in 1923 when King George VI married Elizabeth Bowes Lyon - the great-grandmother of groom-to-be Prince Harry. But it is unlikely Prince Harry will wear a wedding ring.
Make-up and beauty secrets
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Meghan looks set to follow Kate Middleton's lead and leave the professionals out of her wedding day look. Instead, she is said to have asked a couple of her close friends to help out with her make up.
When asked her beauty secrets, Meghan previously revealed she’s a fan of contouring made famous by the Kardashians.
She said: “The power of concealer, with the hours we work, is pretty brutal. The highlight and the contour and just knowing your angles. And of course hydrating is the biggest secret.”
And her bouquet is sure to include myrtle, carried by every royal bride since Prince Albert's grandmother gave Queen Victoria a myrtle bush which still grows on the Isle of Wight.
Guests - who is and isn't attending
Harry and Meghan are doing things their way and will be surrounded by family, friends and representatives of issues they care about on their big day - with no politicians to get in the way.
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Harry and Meghan have announced that thousands of members of the public will be invited to Windsor Castle on their big day.
The 2,640 invitees are set to include:
1,200 members of the public from every corner of the United Kingdom were nominated to attend by nine regional Lord Lieutenant offices. The couple asked that the people chosen are from a broad range of backgrounds and ages, including young people who have shown strong leadership, and those who have served their communities.
members of the public from every corner of the United Kingdom were nominated to attend by nine regional Lord Lieutenant offices. The couple asked that the people chosen are from a broad range of backgrounds and ages, including young people who have shown strong leadership, and those who have served their communities. 200 people from a range of charities and organisations which Prince Harry and Ms. Markle have a close association with, including those which Prince Harry serves as Patron.
people from a range of charities and organisations which Prince Harry and Ms. Markle have a close association with, including those which Prince Harry serves as Patron. 100 pupils from two local schools: The Royal School, Great Park, Windsor and St George's School, Windsor Castle – both of which have a strong affiliation with the Windsor Castle community.
pupils from two local schools: The Royal School, Great Park, Windsor and St George's School, Windsor Castle – both of which have a strong affiliation with the Windsor Castle community. 610 Windsor Castle community members, including residents of Windsor Castle and members of the St George's Chapel community.
Windsor Castle community members, including residents of Windsor Castle and members of the St George's Chapel community. 530 Members of The Royal Households and Crown Estate.
The Queen, the Prince Charles and Camilla, the Cambridges (although baby Louis won't be coming) and members of the extended royal family.
It's not clear if Harry's grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, will be fit to attend. Philip, 96, is still recovering from a hip replacement operation, which took place at King Edward VII hospital on April 4. It has not yet been confirmed whether he will be coming.
Harry is also keen to involve the family of his late mother, Diana.
Diana's sister Lady Jayne Fellowes will give a reading during the ceremony. And her other siblings, Earl Spencer and Lady Sarah McCorquodale will also attend.
Prince Andrew's ex wife Sarah Ferguson is expected to be at the wedding day - but not the evening party hosted by Prince Charles. Harry is close friends with their daughters Beatrice and Eugenie, who will also be there.
Harry’s pals Tom Inskip, Thomas van Straubenzee, Arthur Landon and Guy Pelly will, of course, be on the groom’s side of the church.
Natalie Pinkham, Ben Fogle and Joss Stone are also likely to be on Harry’s list. Kate's sister Pippa invited Harry to her wedding last year, so she and husband James Matthews may be on the guestlist. It has also been reported Harry is inviting two of his ex girlfriends - Chelsy Davy and Cressida Bonas.
Sir Elton John has cancelled two concerts on the weekend of the royal wedding and appears set to attend.
Harry is under no obligation to invite heads of state (apart from his gran) - and chose not to. That means no Donald Trump and no Barack Obama - a more surprising omission as he and wife Michelle are genuine friends of Harry and the Cambridges. It had been reported they may miss out as Harry "would not wish to cause a diplomatic row".
There is also no Theresa May for the big day.
Meghan is pals with former Made in Chelsea star Millie Mackintosh as well as Sophie Ellis-Bexter and her rock star husband Richard Jones.
The actress is also very close to her Suits co-stars which could mean invites for Patrick J Adams and his wife, Pretty Little Liars star Troian Bellasario, and Gabriel Macht and his Bridget Jones’ actress wife Jacinda Barrett. She’s also likely to invite co-stars Sarah Rafferty and Gina Torres, best known for hit Firefly, who she previously asked for advice, saying: “Sarah and Gina give me such great advice – not just on being a good actor but being a wife and mom some day.”
Members of the public attending
Around 1,200 guests at the Royal wedding on May 19 will be members of the public from a range of backgrounds and ages, some of whom will be in the service in St George's Chapel, while the rest will be within the grounds of Windsor Castle.
The first to be named officially included a 12-year-old caught up in the Manchester Arena bombing, an Invictus Games hopeful and a deaf teenager who is teaching his school sign language at lunchtime.
Young people who have shown strong leadership and served their communities are among those invited - with 18-year-old Daniella Timperley the first to reveal she's on the guestlist.
There will be 100 guests from two local schools, while around 200 people will be from charities and organisations the couple have a close connection with.
A traditional ceremony - who will conduct it?
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The Dean of Windsor, The Rt Reverend David Conner, will conduct the service, while The Most Reverend and Rt Honourable Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, will officiate as the couple make their marriage vows.
The couple are said to have been doing wedding preparation with the Most Rev Justin Welby ahead of their marriage, and he officiated at Meghan's baptism and confirmation.
The address will be given by Michael Curry, primate of the Episcopal Church – a US offshoot of the Church of England.
The procession - and how to watch it
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After the vows, a carriage procession will begin at 1pm, but it will just be the newly-weds.
Harry and Meghan will ride through Windsor in an Ascot Landau carriage - or the Scottish State Coach if it rains. The carriage will be pulled by father and son Windsor Greys Storm and Tyrone.
The route will take them from Windsor Castle via Castle Hill and process along the High Street and through Windsor Town, before returning to Windsor Castle along the Long Walk.
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The streets will be lined by members of the Windsor Castle Guard from 1st Battalion Irish Guards, Royal Navy Small Ships and Diving, The Royal Marines, 3 Regiment Army Air Corps, The Royal Gurkha Rifles and RAF Honington.
After the procession, there will be a reception at St George’s Hall for the couple and guests from the congregation.
Later on, Harry's father the Prince of Wales will host a private evening event for the couple and 200 guests at Frogmore House where chefs will provide a seasonal menu. Then guests are reported to have a festival-themed after party to look forward to.
Wedding speeches
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Meghan Markle is a proud feminist - and it has been suggested she is not going to let the men do all the talking at the wedding.
The Sunday Times reported Meghan, an accomplished and confident public speaker, is keen to give a speech at the reception. She is said to be planning an "affectionate" tribute for her new husband, some jokes, and thanks to the Queen, her family and friends.
Traditionally wedding speeches were given by the father of the bride, toasting the couple, the groom answering on their behalf and toasting the bridesmaids, and the best man answering on their behalf and toasting the couple. But it is increasingly common for brides and bridesmaids to give their own speeches.
Wedding cake - an unusual choice
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Harry and Meghan' unique cake will be made by pastry chef Claire Ptak - owner of London hipster hotspot Violet Bakery.
The centrepiece desert will be a lemon elderflower cake covered with buttercream and decorated with fresh flowers.
Flowers for the big day
The flowers in St George's Chapel and at the formal reception which follows will be provided by self-taught florist Philippa Craddock.
She will work with florists from St George's Chapel and Buckingham Palace to turn white garden roses, peonies and foxgloves into show-stopping creations.
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Some of the foliage will be gathered from The Crown Estate and Windsor Great Park, with beech, birch and hornbeam expected to feature.
The flower arrangements will focus on flowers that are in season in May, and will have a wild feel - with bee-friendly plants from the Royal Parks' wildflower meadows set to be incorporated.
Reception, party music and first dance
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As for the wedding song, Meghan is a big fan of pop. She lists English singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor and French band Christine and The Queens on her playlist of favourites, describing them as “a little euphonious pick-me-up”.
It has been suggested Whitney Houston's I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) is set to be the soundtrack for their first dance.
Mel B claimed Meghan has inspired a Spice Girls reunion, saying her bandmates Victoria Beckham, Geri Horner, Emma Bunton and Mel C were set to join her at the wedding - and perform. Although all that blabbing seems somewhat odd. Harry did pose shyly with the girlband when he was just a boy. Two Become One to end the night, anyone...?
Harry and Meghan are also fans of American rock outfit The Killers, with Harry a regular at their concerts, including last summer's Hyde Park gig.
Sir Elton John has cancelled two concerts on the weekend of the royal wedding. He famously performed at the funeral of Prince Harry's mother Princess Diana and remains a family friend - so could he be adding another royal gig to his CV?
What are there titles? The new Duke and Duchess of Sussex?
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As when Kate Middleton, got married, one thing is certain: Meghan will be a princess - but not in her own right. She will be HRH Princess Henry of Wales.
It is likely the Queen will bestow a title on the couple when they marry, as she did with William and Kate. It has been suggested Prince Harry could become the Duke of Sussex, making Meghan the Duchess of Sussex.
The previous Duke of Sussex lived at Kensington Palace - where the couple are moving to - and he married for love.
The situation is slightly further complicated by Meghan using her middle name rather than her first name, Rachel. But just as Duchess Catherine of Cambridge remains Kate Middleton for many of her fans, Meghan's maiden name is also likely to stick.
Will the royal wedding be a bank holiday?
The first question on many people's mind when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's engagement was announced was obvious: do we get a day off work and school?
There won't be one this time around, as Harry is lower down the line of succession.
But the Saturday ceremony means much of the country will be able to have the day off to watch it if they want to - and pubs are permitted to apply for longer opening hours.
Find out more about royal wedding events around the country.
Honeymoon
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly heading to Namibia for their honeymoon, where they will find some seriously spectacular scenery, exotic wildlife and plenty of luxury accommodation from safari lodges to campsites in the desert.
Botswana had initially been tipped as it holds a special place in the couple’s heart after Harry revealed he invited Meghan there just three weeks after their first meeting.
In their engagement interview he reminisced about the romantic getaway, raving that it was “absolutely fantastic” and that they “camped out with each other under the stars”.
The royal has also previously spoken of his love for Africa and often visits for charity work - so it was always a strong contender for a honeymoon destination.
Where will Harry and Meghan live?
Tucked away in the grounds of Kensington Palace, the newly-engaged couple have set up home in the prince's current apartment, Nottingham Cottage, a two-bedroom property on the 17th century estate. But they are set to move to Apartment 1 after the wedding.
They are also set to get a home on the Sandringham Estate as a wedding present from the Queen, thought to be York Cottage.
