© Photo: Getty ImagesThe countdown to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's royal wedding is on! With exactly 100 days to go before the big day, we've rounded up the many reasons we're excited for the nuptials. What will Meghan wear? Which celebrities have made it onto the guest list? And of course, one moment we can't wait for is Harry and Meghan's first kiss as newlyweds!
First look at Meghan's wedding dress
The former Suits actress has already had her first wedding dress fitting at Kensington Palace. Last month, Meghan flew her close friend and stylist, Jessica Mulroney, from Canada to London to help her decide which gown to wear for the big day. Following the fitting, Jessica reportedly stayed at the palace for four nights, where she helped Meghan pick out other outfits for future engagements.
In the past, Meghan has previously said her favourite wedding designers are Delphine Manivet and Christos Costarellos "for their uniqueness and beauty", adding she will always be a fan of Elie Saab and J. Mendel "for more structural designs".
The raven-haired beauty may also choose to wear Ralph & Russo; she handpicked the British brand for her official engagement photos, posing in a daring black dress worth a whopping £56,000. British designer Antonio Berardi is also tipped to be designing Meghan's royal gown.
© Photo: Getty ImagesWhich tiara will Meghan wear?
Her wedding day will most likely be the first time we see Meghan in a tiara. It is customary for the Queen to lend royal brides a headpiece from her private collection; when Kate married Prince William in 2011, she borrowed the Cartier 'Halo' Tiara, an exquisite headpiece that was passed down to the Queen on her 18th birthday.
It's highly unlikely that Meghan will wear the same tiara; in fact, she may opt for something completely new. Ella Kay, writer and editor of The Court Jeweller, told HELLO! magazine: "I have a feeling that if she wears a tiara, it may be a new piece created for her rather than a royal loan. That would follow the examples set by other brides of younger royal sons, such as Sophie Rhys-Jones and Sarah Ferguson.
"I imagine we will see Meghan borrowing numerous pieces from the royal vault during her marriage, but I think she may opt for a new royal tiara made just for her this time around. If we do see Meghan wear an existing royal tiara for her wedding, I'd like to see her pull something unusual out of the vaults, like the Queen Mother's Art Deco Bandeau from Cartier, which consists of a trio of gem-set bracelets on a frame. That piece would fit nicely with her modern, unfussy style."
© Photo: Getty ImagesWill Meghan's dad walk her down the aisle?
Meghan's father Thomas Markle has largely stayed out of the spotlight since his daughter's engagement news was announced. But it seems the former lighting designer, who lives in Mexico, is keen to walk Meghan down the aisle.
Last year, the actress' half-sister Samantha Grant told Us Weekly: "I'm sure he wants to walk her down the aisle, I know he wants to do it… He's a shy guy now, he's a quiet man, but he'll speak when he feels it's appropriate. He gave me permission to say how happy he is, but he'll talk when he's ready."
However, in January, another report claimed that Meghan wanted her mum Doria Ragland to do the honours. We'll just have to wait until the big day to see!
Prince Harry's reaction to seeing Meghan
One of the most touching moments from Prince William and Kate's wedding was, of course, the Prince setting eyes on his bride for the first time. William resisted the urge to turn around and watch Kate walk down the aisle, instead relying on his brother Harry to tell him she had arrived at Westminster Abbey. "Right, she is here now," Harry nervously told his brother.
As Kate arrived at the altar with her father Michael Middleton at her side, William turned to his bride and said: "You look beautiful. Yes, fantastic, beautiful."
We can't wait to see Harry's first reaction!
Prince George and Princess Charlotte's starring roles
They've already had practice at auntie Pippa Middleton's wedding, and it looks like Prince George and Princess Charlotte are set to have starring roles at Harry and Meghan's. Four-year-old George is expected to be a pageboy, while his sister Charlotte, who will be three by then, will act as a flower girl. Meghan has also reportedly asked her friend Jessica Mulroney to let her daughter Ivy be another flower girl.
© Photo: Getty ImagesExchanging of vows
The day before William and Kate's wedding in 2011, the palace released details of the order of service, including the traditional vows the couple would make. It's thought the same will be done for Harry and Meghan's wedding. Meghan, a vocal feminist, is also expected to follow in Kate and Princess Diana's footsteps, by omitting the word 'obey' from her vows.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe star-studded celebrity guest list
The Obamas, the Beckhams, Serena Williams, Harry's close friends Ed Sheeran, James Blunt and Ellie Goulding – there will, no doubt, be a number of familiar faces in the congregation.
Elton John has already strongly hinted that he will be attending the wedding. The Rocket Man singer has cancelled two of his tour dates in Las Vegas; he was due to perform at The Colosseum on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 May, but has pulled the plug on those gigs in order to fly back to the UK.
And, in keeping with royal protocol, a number of representatives from other European royal families will be invited to the wedding. Perhaps most controversial of all is Harry's aunt Sarah, Duchess of York, who was not invited to William and Kate's royal nuptials. Sarah has reportedly secured an invite this time around in a bid to heal "broken family ties" and appease Harry's cousins, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
© Photo: Getty ImagesA Suits reunion
On Meghan's side, we can expect to see a few of her former Suits co-stars, including Patrick J. Adams, who played her on-screen husband Mike Ross. Meghan has also remained close friends with Gina Torres, also known as legal eagle Jessica Pearson, and Sarah Rafferty, who stars as Donna Paulsen.
© Photo: Getty ImagesFirst kiss as newlyweds
Adoring fans are expected to gather outside Windsor Castle in the hope of catching a glimpse of Harry and Meghan on the big day.
The couple will share their first kiss as newlyweds in St George's Chapel, in front of 800 guests, but they will most likely want to celebrate their official union with the public too. Shortly after William and Kate's wedding ceremony, the couple appeared on the palace balcony and indulged the thousands of well-wishers below them with not one but two kisses.
Fans whooped and cheered, and Harry and Meghan are also expected to give the people what they want, perhaps by kissing on the outdoor chapel steps.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe bride's second wedding dress
For her reception, Meghan is expected to follow in Kate's footsteps and change into a second dress. She may choose the same designer for her reception gown, like Kate, or she may want to shine a light on another label. Either way, Meghan's going to look sensational!
© Photo: Getty ImagesMeghan's speech at the reception
Don't expect Harry and Meghan's wedding to completely play by the royal rules. The modern couple will be throwing in a few surprises and doing their wedding their way, with Meghan even reported to give a speech at the reception. Breaking with tradition, the former actress is expected to deliver an "affectionate" toast to thank her new husband, the Queen and her friends and family.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe couple's first dance
Ellie Goulding is believed to have serenaded Prince William and Kate with a live version of her hit song Starry-Eyed for their first dance, but who will perform at Harry and Meghan's reception? The Prince is good friends with James Blunt, after serving with him in the army, as well as Ed Sheeran, so we're counting on one of them to tear up the dance floor!
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe official photographs
After the celebration, it'll take a while for the excitement of the royal wedding to calm down, but fans will be able to relive the day all over again when the official photos are released. Group pictures, the best shots of the bride and groom, and portraits with Harry's grandparents the Queen and Prince Philip will all be captured.
