There are just a few more hours until Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tie the knot — and we now know how it’s all going to go down after the palace released the Order of Service Friday evening.
“Like any couple getting married, Prince Harry and Ms. Markle have taken a great deal of care in selecting all elements for their service,” Kensington Palace said in a statement released with the Order of Service. “This has been a collaborative effort led by Prince Harry and Ms. Markle.”
Here’s a breakdown of the lengthy Order of Service with everything you need to know — from the hymns to the vows.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage
1. There’s one glaring error.
The palace released the Order of Service for Harry and Meghan’s wedding just a few hours before they officially tie the knot, and it’s full of details about the couple’s big day. And the most noticeable element of the document? Thomas Markle, Meghan’s father, is still included as the person who will walk Meghan down the aisle to the high altar of St. George’s Chapel. The error, the palace says, is simply a matter of timing.
“The Order of Service was produced before it became clear that Mr. Thomas Markle would be unable to attend the wedding on medical advice,” the palace said in a statement. “As a result, some aspects will be different to what has been printed. As previously announced, Ms. Markle has asked The Prince of Wales to accompany her down the aisle of The Quire.
The palace confirmed on Friday that Prince Charles will be walking Meghan down the second portion of the aisle of St. George’s Chapel.
It’s the event of the year! Be sure to keep up with all of PEOPLE’s royal wedding coverage and don’t forget to check out everything you need to know about Meghan Markle’s perfect style.
2. And a few timing errors.
There is also an error when it comes to the timing of arrivals: On the Order of Service, it says that Doria Ragland is arriving at 6 a.m. ET, but the palace says she’ll actually arrive at 6:42 a.m. It also says that Prince Charles will arrive at 6:42 a.m., when he’ll actually arrive at 6:45 a.m. (When it comes to the royal family, every minute counts!)
3. Prince Harry and Prince William will arrive at 6:40 a.m. ET.
They’ll be followed by Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, at 6:42 a.m., then Ragland, then Prince Charles, followed by the Queen, and finally, the bride herself.
4. There’s a major change from Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding.
The giving of the rings is included in the Order of Service, and both Harry and Meghan will be receiving wedding bands. At William and Kate’s wedding, only Kate received a ring, while William opted out of wearing one.
Prince Harry greets the crowds in Windsor on Friday James Gourley/REX/Shutterstock
5. There’s a wide variety of music.
The palace previously released information about the performers at the wedding, but now we know what they’ll be performing. The music choices range from the classic — a traditional Irish hymn sung by the congregation — to the modern — a gospel rendition of “Stand by Me” from Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir. The recessional has a modern touch, too: They’ll walk back down the aisle to Etta James’s “Amen/This Little Light of Mine.”
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6. And Prince Charles helped pick the opening music.
An orchestra will play a number of songs as guests make their way into St. George’s Chapel, and Harry’s dad helped them choose which songs. The palace said: “They have also sought the advice of The Prince of Wales for the orchestral music before the Service begins.”
7. Lady Jane Fellowes, Princess Diana’s sister, will be doing a reading.
The late Diana’s older sister will read a passage from the Song of Solomon.
8. Meghan will not vow to obey Harry.
She’ll follow in the footsteps of Diana and Kate in omitting the word “obey” from her vows.
9. We don’t know anything about their wedding address.
Bishop Michael Bruce Curry from Chicago, Illinois will be giving the address at Meghan and Harry’s wedding, but the speech is not included in the Order of Service.
Meghan Markle arrives at the Cliveden House Hotel where she'll spend the night before her wedding Steve Parsons/PA Wire
10. There is no “You may now kiss the bride!” moment.
Just like with William and Kate’s wedding, we won’t see a kiss inside the church. Instead, we’ll likely see a smooch from Meghan and Harry when they come out of St. George’s Chapel just following their ceremony.
Don’t miss out! Tune in to Meghan and Harry – a Fairy-Tale Wedding on Saturday, May 19, starting at 6 a.m. ET/ 3 a.m. PT on PeopleTV — now available on PeopleTV.com and on your favorite streaming device.
11. It all ends with Britain’s national anthem, “God Save the Queen.”
Just as a royal wedding should!
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are preparing to marry in a ceremony that will be broadcast around the world.
The couple will wed in the historic surroundings of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in a ceremony that begins at 12pm on Saturday.
Die-hard royalists - many decked out in the national colours of both Britain and the United States - camped out overnight in a bid to secure the best spots to catch a glimpse of the Prince and the American former actress.
Senior members of the Royal family and a raft of celebrities will be among the 600 invited guests and another 2,640 members of the public have been chosen to watch the ceremony from the grounds of Windsor Castle.
The Prince of Wales is stepping in for the father of the bride, as he prepares to walk Ms Markle down the aisle.
Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Prince Harry meets the crowds in Windsor and Meghan Markle arrives at her hotel.
Millions of people around the world are set to watch the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Windsor.
Hundreds more have spent a night on the streets of Windsor to secure the best viewing spot.
The couple will wed at noon at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, before travelling through the town in a carriage at about 13:00 BST.
In her vows, Ms Markle will not promise to "obey" her husband and Prince Harry has chosen to have a wedding ring.
Prince Charles will walk Ms Markle down the aisle, after her father, Thomas, was unable to attend for health reasons.
On the eve of their wedding, Prince Harry told crowds in Windsor he was feeling "relaxed" and Ms Markle said she was feeling "wonderful".
Image copyright PA Image caption Members of the public arrive on the Long Walk in Windsor early Saturday morning
Image copyright EPA Image caption Royal fans catch the first train from London Waterloo to Windsor on Saturday morning
Analysis by BBC royal correspondent Jonny Dymond
Every royal wedding is different. But every royal wedding is an opportunity, in some way, to relaunch the Royal Family.
Big weddings like this come along pretty rarely and they are now the object of global fascination.
So it represents a great opportunity to say: "This is who the Royal Family are these days."
But this is a very different royal wedding.
It's different because of the style of the arrangements for the day itself.
From small things, like the cake (not a traditional big heavy fruitcake covered with bullet-proof icing), to bigger things, like a gospel choir performing at the service.
To more remarkable decisions, like the invitation to 1,200 members of the public to enjoy the occasion in the grounds of Windsor Castle.
After the death in 1997 of Prince Harry's mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, she was described by the-then prime minister Tony Blair as "the people's princess".
This may not be "the people's wedding", but it is about as close to it as any royal wedding has got.
Read more here.
Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Wedding well-wishers wake up after a cold Windsor night
Crowds of well-wishers - many wearing union flags - royal superfans and the world's media have been gathering in Windsor in the week leading up to the big day.
As many as 100,000 people are expected to line the streets, hoping to get a glimpse of the happy couple.
Nicky and Matt Pruner, from the US, extended their holiday in the UK to be in Windsor for the wedding.
Nicky Pruner, 62, said: "I camped out all night at Kate and William's wedding and I said I would never do it again - and here I am."
Matt Pruner, 63, added: "It feels like a festival, except this one has a meaning. It just gives hope to the world."
Image copyright Reuters Image caption Prince Harry greeted crowds outside Windsor Castle, the day before his nuptials
Six hundred guests will watch the wedding, officiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, in St George's chapel, with the service broadcast to millions across the world.
About 1,200 members of the public - many who are recognised for their charity work - have been invited into the grounds of Windsor Castle for the wedding.
Prince Harry is expected to arrive with his brother and best man Prince William at the west door of the chapel at 11:40.
The Queen will be the last member of the Royal Family to arrive at 11:52, before Ms Markle arrives with her mother Doria Ragland.
Image copyright Reuters Image caption Doria Ragland will be the only member of Ms Markle's family attending the ceremony
Ms Markle has 10 bridesmaids and pageboys, all under the age of eight - including Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
The bride will be met by Prince Charles, who will walk her down the aisle of the Quire of the chapel.
During the service, the couple will pledge themselves to one another, saying: "For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part."
The Most Rev Bishop Michael Curry, the 27th presiding bishop and primate of the Episcopal Church, from Chicago, will give an address at the wedding and the Rt Rev David Conner, Dean of Windsor, will conduct the service.
Image copyright Reuters Image caption Just two of the fans who camped overnight in Windsor
Lady Jane Fellowes, the sister of Prince Harry's late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, will give a reading.
As the bride and groom sign the register, 19-year-old cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason - who won the 2016 BBC's Young Musician - will perform three pieces - by Faure, Schubert and Maria Theresia von Paradis, with musicians from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the English Chamber Orchestra and the Philharmonia.
Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir will perform Ben E. King's soul classic Stand By Me during the service.
The gospel choir will also perform Etta James' uplifting version of Amen/This Little Light of Mine as the newlyweds leave the chapel.
Image copyright PA Image caption Karen Gibson and the Kingdom Choir have been performing for more than 20 years
Following the service, a carriage procession will travel along a route including Castle Hill, High Street, Sheet Street, Kings Road, Albert Road, Long Walk and back to Windsor Castle.
All 600 guests will then attend a lunchtime reception at St George's Hall, which is being given by the Queen.
During this reception, Ms Markle will reportedly break with tradition for royal brides and make a speech.
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Later in the evening, the newlyweds will celebrate with 200 close friends and family at a private reception less than a mile from Windsor Castle at Frogmore House, hosted by Prince Charles.
The 17th century country house and gardens - a former home to numerous royals throughout history - was the back-drop for the pair's engagement photos.
The Royal Family will pay for the wedding, including the service, music, flowers and reception.
Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Prince Harry meets the crowds in Windsor and Meghan Markle arrives at her hotel
Prince Harry was greeted with shouts of "good luck!" from well-wishers as he carried out a surprise walkabout in Windsor on the eve of his wedding.
With his brother and best man Prince William, he spent nearly 10 minutes chatting to the crowds.
Just before he went back into Windsor Castle, he was asked how he was feeling and said: "Relaxed, of course."
Meanwhile, Meghan Markle and her mother, Doria Ragland, arrived at nearby Cliveden House Hotel.
As she arrived at the hotel following tea with the Queen, Ms Markle said she was feeling "wonderful" on the eve of her wedding.
During his walkabout, Prince Harry asked people where they were from, and whether they had been waiting long. He was also given a small teddy bear as a gift.
As he returned to Windsor Castle, the prince spotted his friend, Dean Stott - a former special forces soldier who trained with him for six weeks in 2007 - in the crowd.
The 41-year-old, who had just returned from a 14,000-mile Pan American Highway cycling trip to attend the wedding, said the prince told him he was "looking skinny" as he had lost weight.
"If he (Prince Harry) is nervous, he's hiding it very well," Mr Stott said.
Earlier, Kensington Palace said Prince Charles will walk Ms Markle down the aisle on Saturday.
Ms Markle's father, Thomas, is unable to attend the wedding, after undergoing heart surgery.
The Prince of Wales was "pleased to be able to welcome Ms Markle to the Royal Family in this way", the palace added.
Prince Harry's grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, will also attend the wedding, Buckingham Palace confirmed.
Prince Philip, 96, has been recovering from a hip operation.
Image copyright PA Image caption Meghan Markle and her mother, Doria Ragland, arrived at Cliveden House Hotel after meeting the Queen
Image copyright Reuters Image caption Prince Harry gave a thumbs up to the crowd
Image copyright PA Image caption Prince William accompanied Prince Harry on the walkabout in Windsor
Ms Markle's mother, Doria Ragland, will take her daughter to the wedding at St George's Chapel in Windsor.
Ms Ragland met the Queen for the first time at Windsor Castle, accompanied by Ms Markle, 36, and Prince Harry, 33.
She has already been introduced to Prince Charles and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
The ceremony begins at 12:00 BST and will be broadcast to the world.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who will marry the prince and Ms Markle, said he thought it was "wonderful" Prince Charles will walk Ms Markle down the aisle.
"He's a very warm person and that he's doing this is a sign of his love and concern and support," he said.
Image copyright Reuters Image caption Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrive at Windsor Castle a day before their wedding to meet the Queen
Mr Markle had been due to arrive in the UK earlier this week, but became caught up in controversy over the apparent staging of photographs with the paparazzi.
Speaking to the BBC from Windsor, American celebrity news site TMZ's Sean Mandell said he had spoken to Mr Markle on Wednesday and that he was "doing well" and "recovering from surgery".
Mr Mandell - who broke the story - said Mr Markle realised on Tuesday that he would not be travelling to Windsor.
"Chest pains were really being exacerbated by the emotional strain he was under," he said.
"When doctors told him he needed to have surgery, he decided he needed to heed that advice, despite the fact he wanted to be here in Windsor for Meghan."
Ms Markle released a statement on Thursday saying she hoped her father could be given space to focus on his health.
Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption TMZ's Sean Mandell says Thomas Markle thinks "news reports are not accurate"
Ms Markle's mother met William and Catherine and their eldest children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, at Windsor Castle on Thursday afternoon.
She took tea with Prince Charles and Camilla at Clarence House in London on Wednesday.
Image copyright PA Image caption Ms Markle's mother, Doria Ragland (left) had been rumoured to be walking her daughter down the aisle
Ms Markle will have 10 bridesmaids and pageboys, who are all under the age of eight.
She decided against having a maid of honour, saying she wanted to avoid choosing between her closest friends.
The view from Windsor
By Hanna Yusuf, BBC News
Image copyright Stephanie Burick Image caption Geoffrey Somers, from Gent in Belgium, shared this selfie with Prince Harry
During the walkabout, lucky royal fan Jane Toffolo not only spoke to Prince William - but found herself a new job.
As Prince Harry shook as many hands as he could, greeting well-wishers who had camped out since Tuesday, his elder brother had a cheeky request for Jane.
"He said he was after a new babysitter and asked if we could do it - he said it to all of us," Jane recounted afterwards.
And what did she reply? "Of course!"
Rick Dormer and Nicola Dormer from Salisbury stood next to a young royal fan, also called William, who spoke at length to Prince William - and got a royal high five.
"When Prince William found out the young boy's name was also William, he said 'well you're the most important person here!'" said Mrs Dormer.
Ms Markle will spend her last night before the wedding with her mother at Cliveden House Hotel, which is in Buckinghamshire, about nine miles north of Windsor Castle.
Prince Harry will be staying 15 miles away at the Dorchester Collection's Coworth Park in Ascot, with his brother.
Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Harry and Meghan's royal engagements
Up to 100,000 people are expected to line the procession route on Saturday. Thames Valley Police has said it expects the town to be full to capacity by 09:00.
Full coverage of the day will be on BBC One from 09:00-14:00 on Saturday and streamed live on the BBC News website or on BBC iPlayer.
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