Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Northern Ireland. Photo / Getty Images
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Northern Ireland. Photo / Getty Images
A beauty queen, fashion designer and socialite are among those who could feature in Meghan Markle's bridal party as details emerge about the big day.
Meghan Markle's bridal party could be an international who's who of fashion designers, actresses and reality stars if her group of best friends is anything to go by.
As the countdown to the May 19 wedding at Windsor Castle begins, preparations are in full swing with the hens party taken care of and dress fittings with a top secret designer reportedly underway.
The actor has not dropped any hints about who her maid of honour or bridal party might include, but reports suggest it could be in line with the US trend for large bridal parties rather than the royal tradition of having small children instead.
The Duchess of Cambridge made an exception to the royal convention in 2011 when her sister Pippa nearly broke the internet with her hot bridesmaid look.
Now Meghan could be set to choose from Jessica Mulroney, a former Suits co-star who has travelled on glamorous Italian coastal holidays with the actor and now conveniently runs a wedding styling business.
Jessica Mulroney. Photo / Getty Images
She might also include actor and former Miss World, Priyanka Chopra, or fashion designer Misha Nonoo, whom she met in Miami after they were seated next to one another at a lunch.
"I love her to death. She is the coolest girl in the world," Nonoo told the Evening Standard about their friendship.
There is also university friend Lindsay Roth, who Meghan acted as maid of honour for, or Millie Mackintosh, the heir to a British sweet dynasty who has recently had her own second marriage. Another contender for maid of honour could be Violet von Westenholz, a mutual friend of Markle and Prince Harry who is rumoured to have been the woman that set the pair up.
Despite becoming family after the royal event, royal watchers believe it's unlikely the Duchess of Cambridge will make the cut. In addition to the fact she will have a new baby just a few weeks old, Kate is also technically higher status than Meghan meaning it would be unlikely she would take a "subservient role" according to one royal expert.
She's also not known Meghan as long as some of her older friends and given her low-key performance at sister Pippa's wedding, will be unlikely to want a starring role.
Kate opted for a more demure look at her sister's Pippa's wedding. Photo / Getty Images
Prince Harry's decisions will be more straightforward as he's almost certain to have Prince William as his "supporter" — the British royal term for best man. William has even blown off his official duties as President of the Football Association and will skip the FA Cup final that day for wedding duties.
Harry's best friends Tom Inskip and Guy Pelley are also expected to be at the bucks party, which William has been tasked with organising.
THE GUEST LIST
The official invites have been revealed, however the guest list has not been confirmed. Senior members of the royal family will be there, hopefully minus the racist wardrobe faux-pas. Meghan's parents Doria Ragland and Thomas Markle Snr, who it's thought will walk her down the aisle, will also attend.
It's unclear whether Meghan's older half siblings, Thomas Markle Jr and Samantha Markle, will get an invite. Elton John and Prince Harry's ex-girlfriends Chelsea Davy and Cressida Bonas are expected to be there, although the pop star says he is yet to receive an invite.
The Spice Girls are also rumoured guests after Mel B dropped a hint on television they might perform.
Former President Obama and his wife Michelle could be on the guest list after he bonded with Harry during the Invictus Games, however it's unclear how that would go down with current US President Trump so may be diplomatically avoided.
Britain's Prince William will most likely be the best man, with plenty of fodder for his speech from Harry's naughty past. Photo / Getty Images
THE BIG DAY
The day itself will begin with a noon chapel service followed by a carriage ride through the streets of Windsor before two separate receptions in the evening.
Six hundred people will attend a reception after the wedding itself, while 200 will attend a private reception in the evening at Frogmore House.
The royal couple have invited more than 2600 people into the grounds including those from associated charities, schools and the local community. More than 250 members of the armed forces associated with Prince Harry will be on hand for ceremonial duties including the Household Cavalry and State Trumpeters.
The couple have chosen a lemon elderflower cake made by a London-based baker, Claire Ptak, who Meghan once interviewed for her lifestyle blog, The Tig. Her dress is also reported to come from Aussie designers Ralph & Russo, who made her engagement outfit and have also dressed Beyonce, Rihanna, Angelina Jolie, Kylie Minogue and Gwyneth Paltrow.
In addition to the wedding hype there is also speculation there could be another royal announcement before the year is out.
Ladbrokes slashed odds on a royal baby after the couple took a "special interest" in baby products at a tech expo in Northern Ireland.
"As if Royal Baby fever wasn't already high enough, there could be news of another newborn announced this year with odds of a Harry and Meghan announcement at record lows," Alex Apati of Ladbrokes.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Northern Ireland. Photo / Getty Images
