Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding symbolises a country that is far from depressing or isolated and grey. In fact it stands for everything that is equal, diverse and multicultural, a fine balance between traditional and modern. With extraordinary global reaction towards acceptance of a divorced and mixed-race woman by the Royal family, the world has been enthralled by the possibilities and significance of this marriage.
On the day of the wedding, the powerful sermon by the very energetic African American Bishop Michael Curry against the grandeur and historical background of the St George's Chapel, that quoted Martin Luther King, sent out a very poignant message about identity and politics to all.
In the UK, some have seen the prejudices, others have debated if it is truly possible for a newcomer to integrate given the political and immigration discord. The recent Windrush scandal has added fuel to fire. But many in the Asian community have come forward to celebrate this union as a message to the rest of the world about 'unity in diversity' and 'Britain's Big Society'. Some have even called Harry like their 'own child' having seen him growing up over the years.
A day of jubilation
A regular visitor to Windsor, the town was unrecognisable on the day. So much fun and frolic, people in fascinators and evening dresses, walked around cheering and singing. As the trains pulled into the two stations, people in florescent safety jackets, ran towards the passengers handing them over free UK flags.
On the train from London, many could not find seats due to over crowding and there were people travelling all the way from America for the wedding, who sounded very excited. Outside the railway station and all around the town, people sold souvenirs and flags with the Royal couple's face on them.
Almost 100,000 people descended on Windsor to see Prince Harry marry his bride on Saturday 19 May. The city was decorated with buntings and huge flags, while many wore Harry and Meghan masks, walked around waving at others. Even as the wedding commenced, trains arrived from London packed with Royal wedding enthusiasts.
Many Asian families were out with parents (grandmothers in salwars) and children, who sat around in parks with food and drinks, watching the Royal wedding on the big screen. Parks even had food and drink stalls, who offered food and refreshment. Sunil, who was travelling from Croydon, South London with his family to watch the wedding told Asian Voice, “My daughter is four and she has learnt about the wedding at school. She came and told my wife that she wanted to attend it. So I thought it will be good for her to soak in the atmosphere today and witness this history in making. I am here with my daughter, wife and her parents, having a nice picnic, enjoying the beautiful sunny day, and being part of this momentous occasion.”
An Indian-origin woman who stood in the road from as early as 5 in the morning, said, “I saw the Royal couple right from near. I acquired a very beautiful place as I stood on the road for two and a half hours. I have been here in the UK for 50 years and I love Harry. I have seen Diana get married, Harry being born and grow up. He is like a child to us.”
Amrita and family were travelling from Delhi to attend the wedding and said, “I was meant to visit UK later but coincided our visit with this wedding date. Just wanted to experience the celebration around it.”
Markle on the day
Meghan Markle wore a beautiful Givenchy gown designed British designer Clare Waight Keller, the first female artistic director for the designer. The bride wanted “53 countries of the Commonwealth with her on her journey through the ceremony” and Clare Waight Keller created a veil embroidered with the flora of each one. It included India’s national flower, Lotus. Each three-dimensional flower was unique and was embroidered on to the five-metre train by hand.
Her bouquet was designed by the florist Philippa Craddock and featured flowers that Harry handpicked on Friday from his private garden at Kensington Palace.
They were added to forget-me-nots (chosen because they were Diana, Princess of Wales’s favourite flower) as well as sweet peas, lily of the valley, astilbe, jasmine and astrantia, and sprigs of myrtle. The latter is a royal tradition in bridal bouquets.
Markle arrived to a fanfare and walked down the aisle accompanied part of the way by Prince Charles, and by 10 young page boys and bridesmaids. The children include 4 year old Prince George and 3 year old Princess Charlotte, children of Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge.
By walking part of the way alone and choosing Keller as her designer, she made a huge feminist statement. When she reached the altar, a nervous and teary Harry said to Meghan: "You look amazing."
Harry's gift to her was his mother's ring, which she wore on her way to the reception. Prince Charles' speech moved the audience to tears, while Harry's speech met with loud cheer.
The blooms which adorned St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle on Saturday were sent to various hospices and women’s refuges including St Joseph’s Hospice in Hackney. Meghan's bouquet laid on the Grave of the Unknown Warrior on the Westminster Abbey memorial which symbolises the sacrifices made by British troops at war.
Royal Guests
The wedding had 2000 plus guests, out of which 600 were allowed into the Chapel. Rest sat in the grounds of Windsor castle and among them were ordinary British folks, selected for their accomplishment and societal contributions through a nomination process. The guest list also included 200 charity workers, 100 pupils from local British schools, and 610 people associated with Windsor Castle. These individuals did not actually see the wedding, though they were on the castle grounds to witness the procession.
Indian origin actress Priyanka Chopra, who has been a long standing friend of Meghan's, attended the wedding in a Vivienne Westwood lilac lunch-suit and a Philip Treacy's atelier. Her make up was done by Pati Dubroff, using Chanel. She was among many other guests from Hollywood including George Clooney with wife Amal, and 'Suits' co-stars. Idris Alba was there too, along with David and Victoria Beckham, Sir Elton John and Serena Williams. Obamas, Donald Trump and Theresa May did not receive any invite. Out of these 600 guests, only 200 were invited to the exclusive evening reception, that included Chopra. In the evening she wore a sparkly Dior gown, letting the hair loose.
In the caption of her Instagram post, Chopra, sharing a photo of the groom and bride leaving their ceremony wrote, “Every once in a while there is a moment when time stands still.. that happened today.”
"You my friend.. were the epitome of grace, love and beauty. Every choice made at this wedding by you both will go down in history, not just because it was your wedding but because this incredible wedding stood for change and hope. Both things that the world needs desperately. Thank you for being the perfect picture of all things good.. seeing your union and love blessed in front of my eyes Made me so happy.. and tear up! I wish you both love happiness and togetherness always.."
In the wedding present was also representatives from the Myna Mahila Foundation, including 26 year old founder Suhani Jalota. The Indian charity which is a women's menstrual health foundation, provides affordable sanitary napkins to women from Mumbai's most impoverished neighbourhoods. It was among seven other charities chosen by the bride and groom to benefit from donations marking their wedding.
Suhani was accompanied Archana Ambre and Deborah Das, and their UK volunteer, Imogen Mansfield. They were not invited in the Chapel, but watched the wedding from the inside grounds of Windsor Castle. Suhani was the only one from the team to have been invited inside the Chapel, but they all donned beautiful pastel shade sarees, bought from Raw Mango in Colaba, Mumbai.
In May 2016, Markle was one of the guests at a party, at the NoMad hotel in New York City, to honour the 10 women shortlisted by Glamour. One of them was Suhani, who had won $20,000 for the Myna Mahila Foundation. The more Markle learnt about the Myna Mahila Foundation, the more she got into it. In 2017, she flew down to Mumbai and visited the small factory. Markle even wrote about Suhani's foundation in Time magazine in March that year.
Speaking exclusively to Asian Voice, Suhani said she was complemented by Priyanka Chopra for her saree. “I told Priyanka how my mum and I watched and loved her videos, her speech about glass ceiling. You know how she loves her mother, she thanked me profusely and was so happy, asked me to thank my mother too.”
Talking about her experience at the wedding, she added, “The whole experience of going to the Chapel made it much more grounded for me. When you were actually there you realised how normal everybody was. It was a lovey-dovey setting, everybody talking about friendship, love and family. It was a nice and heart warming experience.”
Deborah and Archana who had ice cream at the wedding along with Imogen, loved the whole experience of being a part of the inner grounds of Windsor. They said they felt privileged to be present there on such an important day. They were mesmerised how clean the city was and how people looked after their own rubbish, carrying them away with themselves.
Suhani who met Meghan briefly at the reception was mesmerised by Sir Elton John's performance. Speaking about her meeting with Markle at the wedding, she added, “She told me that now she would be able to give more time to such humanitarian work.”
The team also organised an event called 'Chaat for Change' on Monday evening at Calcutta Canteen by Asma Khan of Darjeeling Express fame, where they made pav bhaji and chaat along with Khan's team. A ticket cost £20 for ultimate chaat items like bhel puri, pav bhaaji, aloo bondas. The pavs (bread) travelled all the way from Baker's Pride in Thane, Mumbai, along with the Myna Mahila team. All ticket proceedings were meant for the foundation.
Rosie Ginday born in the UK to Punjabi parents, was also among 1,200 members of the public invited. 34 year old Ginday is the founder of ‘Miss Macaroon’, a business that not only produces and sells small French biscuits called ‘macaroons’ but also uses its profits towards employment training opportunities for young people. The Birmingham-based enterprise impressed the Royals when they visited the city, and also got a taste of some of her macaroons. She also owns Birmingham’s first macaroon and prosecco bar, which opened in the city in October 2016. Ahead of the wedding Ginday told PTI, “It’s really exciting to receive this invitation and be acknowledged in this way. They are using the occasion to shine a light on organisations working to improve their communities, which is fantastic.” Ginday took some of her macaroons to share with guests at the picnic that was planned on the wedding day.
Besides them were Davinder Prasad JP, Gen Sec, BAPIO and his daughter Rena Dipti Antonnie, who said “It was a very surreal experience. It's a new dawn for the Royal family. This was my first time to a Royal wedding. It was spectacular, but you come away with the feeling that even though they are from Royal family, ultimately it is about two people getting married and making vows to each other. They will have the same challenges of a marriage, of trying to make it work, may however famous you are.”
Mr Prasad said, “Being a British Asian in this country you wish best of luck to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. They have changed the way monarchy works in this country, which is unimaginable. With time the Royal family has changed too and it is evident that Prince Harry has given more priority to Meghan over Royal protocols. This young couple is an example for our younger generation that love should come first. Also they are going to be youth ambassadors of Commonwealth countries and I hope Meghan carries on with the humanitarian work she has been doing.”
Speaking about star spotting at the wedding, he added, “One of my dreams was to see Priyanka Chopra. Not only she is an icon in India but also in the rest of the world. We saw her today, and we called out her name. She looked and smiled at us, though there were too many VIPs and too much of security.”
Community celebrate the wedding
Sai School of Harrow, the Saturday School which won the Queens Award in 2005 for promoting citizenship values hosted a Royal Brunch today to celebrate the Wedding where pupils came dressed in their tiaras and tuxedos to win the Best Dressed Awards.
Mums and Dads also helped baked cakes as Royal Buntings went up and children and their families enjoyed cream cakes and pastries whilst watching live coverage of the wedding. Pupils also participated in the Coat of Arms competition where each child had to design their own family coat of arms. Kiyan Shah was the winner as he wrote out his Surname and put a slogan against each word to represent his family.
A group of hard working people
Sia Kundalia, 6 years, won the Best Dressed Girls prize and her Mother, Devina Kundalia commented on how Sia enjoyed being a princess for the day.
