EXCLUSIVE DIGITAL EDITION

PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN MARKLE: BEFORE THE WEDDING THE PROPOSAL, THE PREPARATIONS, THE VENUE AND MUCH MORE!

HELLOMAGAZINE.CA ON THE COVER: MAX MUMBY/INDIGO/GETTY IMAGES 1 OF 21 OYAL ENGAGEM THE R ENT

THE BIG NEWS THE WORLD WAS WAITING FOR!

IN THEIR FIRST INTERVIEW TOGETHER, HARRY AND MEGHAN REVEAL HOW HE PROPOSED – AND HOW SHE REACTED

HELLOMAGAZINE.CA PHOTO: DOMINIC LIPINSKI/PA IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES 2 OF 21 hen Prince Harry and his W fiancée, Meghan Markle, cuddled up on the steps of ’s Sunken Garden to announce their en- gagement on Monday, Nov. 27, they were clearly a couple very much in love. Beginning with a 5 a.m. an- nouncement from Clarence House – “His Prince Henry of Wales and Ms. Meghan Markle are engaged to be married” – it was a whirlwind day – fittingly, given their seem- ingly whirlwind romance – and a welcome one, too, as it of- fered the happy couple the opportunity to come out of hiding and share their joy with the world. joint interview to discuss their weeks ago, earlier this month, On those steps, the fifth in love affair, their plans for the here at our cottage – just a stan- line to the British throne – for- future and how the prince pro- dard, typical night for us. merly the world’s most eligible posed! Read on for an excerpt Meghan: Just a cozy night … bachelor – proclaimed he knew of the couple’s memorable first What were we doing? Just roast- the American actress was “the interview together. ing chicken. one” from the very first time Harry: Trying to roast a chicken. they were introduced on a blind Congratulations to you both! Meghan: Trying to roast a chick- date. Soon afterwards, hands Can we start with the proposal en, and it [was] just an amazing still firmly clasped, Harry, 33, – when did it happen? surprise – so sweet and natural and Meghan, 36, gave their first Prince Harry: It happened a few and very romantic. He got

HELLOMAGAZINE.CA PHOTO: CHRIS JACKSON/GETTY IMAGES 3 OF 21 ‘It was an amazing surprise, so sweet and romantic. He got down on one knee’ – MEGHAN

on one knee. Which for most people would privacy and not reveal too Harry: Of course. be quite a whirlwind. Is that much. how it’s felt to you? I don’t think Harry: We’ll protect her privacy, Was it an instant yes from you? I would call it a whirlwind in yeah. And then we met once and Meghan: Yes. As a matter of fact terms of our relationship. We then twice back to back – two [looks at Harry], I could barely had a good five, six months al- dates in London, last July. let you finish proposing. I said, most with just privacy, which Meghan: Yes. “Can I say yes now?” was amazing. But no, I think we Harry: The beginning of July. Harry: She didn’t even let me were able to have so much time And then it was, I think, about finish. She said, “Can I say yes? just to connect, and we never three, maybe four weeks later Can I say yes?” and then there went longer than two weeks that I managed to persuade her were hugs, and I had the ring without seeing each other, even to come and join me in Bot- [on] my finger and I was like, though we were obviously do- swana. And we camped out with “Can I – can I give you the ing a long-distance relation- each other under the stars – she ring?” She goes, “Oh yes, the ship. So we made it work. came and joined me for five ring!” days out there, which was abso- How did you first meet? lutely fantastic. So then we were And this is how long after you Harry: Ah yes, we first met – we really by ourselves, which was first met? were introduced, actually, by a crucial to me to make sure we Meghan: A year and a half, a mutual friend, who … had a chance to get to know little bit more than that? Meghan: We should protect her each other.

HELLOMAGAZINE.CA PHOTO: TIM ROOKE/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK 4 OF 21 Romantic Harry designed Meghan’s stunning engagement ring himself. It’s a yellow-gold band with a diamond the prince sourced from Botswana, and two smaller diamonds from the jewelry collection of his late mother Diana, Princess of Wales.

Meghan: For both of us, though, it was really refreshing because, given that I didn’t know a lot about him, everything I’ve learned about him I’ve learned through him, as opposed to hav- ing grown up around different news stories, tabloids or what- ever else. So for both of us, it was a really authentic and or- ganic way to get to know each other.

And was that quite refreshing The friend who introduced you going to make this work,” be- for you, Harry, in the way that – was she trying to set you up? cause I was off to Africa for a you’ve been brought up, with a Meghan: Yes, it was definitely a month and she was working. lot of people knowing a lot set-up. It was a blind date. And we just said, “Right, where’s about you … Or thinking they Harry: It was a blind date for the gap?” And the gap hap- know. sure. pened to be in the perfect Meghan: Exactly. Meghan: And it’s so interest- place. Harry: Yeah, it was hugely re- ing … because I’m from the freshing, to be able to know States, you don’t grow up with So how much did you, Harry, someone who isn’t necessarily the same understanding of the know about Meghan? Had you within your circle – [she] Royal Family. And so … I didn’t seen her on TV? No, I’d never doesn’t know much about me; I know much about him. So the even heard about her until this don’t know much about her – only thing I had asked her when friend said, “Meghan!” I was so to be able to start almost she said she wanted to set us up like, “Right, give me a bit of afresh, right from the begin- was, “Well, is he nice?” Because background – what’s going on ning, getting to know each if he wasn’t kind, it just didn’t here?” I’d never watched Suits; other step by step. And then seem like it would make sense. I’d never heard of Meghan be- taking that huge leap of only And so we went and met for a fore. And I was beautifully sur- two dates and then effectively drink, and then very quickly prised when I walked into that going on holiday together … into that, we said, “What are we room and saw her, and there Meghan: In the middle of no- doing tomorrow? We should she was, sitting there. I was like, where … meet again.” OK, well, I’m going to have to real- Harry: In the middle of no- Harry: And then it was like, ly up my game here [grins sheepish- where and, you know, sharing a “Right, we need to get the diar- ly]. And make sure I’ve got a tent together and all that kind ies out and find out how we’re good [line of] chat. of stuff, it was fantastic. It

HELLOMAGAZINE.CA PHOTOS FROM TOP: CHRIS JACKSON/GETTY IMAGES; SAMIR HUSSEIN/WIREIMAGE/GETTY IMAGES 5 OF 21 was absolutely amazing to get having gone through this learn- of mistruths that I made the to know her as quickly as I did. ing curve in the past year and a choice to not read anything, half, I did not have any under- positive or negative – it just And starting a long-distance re- standing of just what it would didn’t make sense. And instead lationship – how hard was it to be like. I don’t think either of we focused all of our energies keep things going? us did. just on nurturing our relation- Meghan: It was just a choice, Harry: You know [to Meghan], I ship. right? I think that very early on, tried to warn you as much as Harry: On us, yeah. when we realized we were go- possible, but I think both of us Meghan: On us, yeah. ing to commit to each other, we were totally surprised by the re- knew we had to invest the time action, after the first five or six Now that it is all official, Harry, and the energy and whatever it months of when we had [the re- do you have that sense that took to make that happen. And lationship] to ourselves. You [with] your different back- so yes, with the filming sched- can have as many conversations grounds, you represent some- ule, it was not the easiest, be- as you want, and try and pre- thing new for the Royal Family? cause it, of course, included a pare as much as possible, but Harry: I don’t know if it’s some- lot of travel back and forth, we were totally unprepared for thing new. For me, it’s an add- but … what happened after that. ed member of the family; it’s Harry: I don’t think you had another team player as part of any idea what time zone you’ve the bigger team … All we want been on for the past year and a to do is carry out our work, and half? Harry chose his late try and encourage others and Meghan: No! mother’s diamonds for the younger generation to be Harry: Coming over here for able to see the world in the four days or a week and then the ring ‘to make sure correct sense, rather than per- going back and then straight haps having a distorted view. into filming the next day, 4 a.m. she’s with us on this So, you know, the fact that I wake-up calls on a Monday, crazy journey’ fell in love with Meghan so in- straight into set, you know … credibly quickly was confirma- Meghan: Yes, right off the plane tion to me that all the stars and straight to set, and just were aligned, everything was coming back and doing it The scrutiny? Well, all sorts. just perfect. This beautiful again … Meghan: There’s a misconcep- woman just sort of literally Harry: Just trying to stay as close tion that because I have worked tripped and fell into my life; I as possible, but on two different in the entertainment industry, fell into her life. And the fact time zones and five hours apart, this would be something I that she’ll be really unbeliev- does have its challenges. But we would be familiar with. But ably good at the “job” part of it made it work and now we’re even though I’d been on my as well is obviously a huge re- here, so we’re thrilled. show for, I guess, six years at lief to me, because she’ll be that point, and working before able to deal with everything But unlike for most people, that, I’ve never been part of else that comes with it. But no, there’s this whole layer of what tabloid culture. I’ve never been we’re a fantastic team, we know it means to get involved with in pop culture to that degree we are, and we hope to, you someone from the Royal Family. and lived a relatively quiet life, know, over time try and have as How much of a sense did you even though I focused so much much impact [on] all the have, Meghan, of the enormity on my job. So that was a really things we care about as much of what you were getting into? stark difference out of the gate. as possible. Meghan: I think I can very safely And I think we were just hit so Meghan: I am very excited about say, as naive as it sounds now, hard at the beginning with a lot that, yeah.

HELLOMAGAZINE.CA 6 OF 21 It’s an immense change. You’re getting a new country out of it, a husband, obviously … [The couple giggle] Harry: That sounds nice, doesn’t it? Meghan: That sounds so nice!

But giving up your career? Meghan: Yes, but I don’t see it as giving anything up. I just see it as a change. Harry: It’s a new challenge ... Meghan: It’s a new chapter, right? And also keep in mind, I’ve been working on my show for seven years. For me, once we hit the 100-episode marker, I thought, “You know what, I have ticked this box, and I feel really proud of the work I have done there.” And now it’s time Harry: I don’t know – she’s ca- [Grins] You know, one step at a to, as you said [to Harry], work pable of anything and together, time. Hopefully we’ll start a as a team – with you. as I said, there’s a hell of a lot of family in the near future. stuff and work that needs do- But do you have that sense of ing. At the moment, for us it’s Have you met each other’s fam- responsibility, Harry, for what going to be making sure our re- ilies? you’re asking Meghan to do? lationship is always put first. But Meghan: Yes, his family has been Harry: Of course. That sense of no, look, both of us have pas- so welcoming … responsibility was [felt] essen- sions for wanting to make Harry: You’ve met quite a few tially from day one, or maybe a change, change for good, and of them, actually. couple of months in, when I with lots of young people run- Meghan: I have, on both sides of suddenly realized, I know I’m in ning around the Common- his family, and his mom’s side love with this girl, and I hope she’s wealth, that’s where we’re going as well, which has been really in love with me. But we still had to spend most of our time, important to me, too. But yes, to sit down on the sofa and I hopefully. the family has been great, and still had to have some pretty Meghan: And it was really one we’ve just had a really nice time frank conversations with her. of the first things we connected getting to know them and pro- To say, “Look, what you’re let- on – it was one of the first things gressively helping me feel a part ting yourself in for, it’s a big we started talking about when of, not just the institution, but deal and it’s not – it’s not easy we met – was just the different also part of the family, which for anybody. But I know that at things we wanted to do in the has been really, really special. the end of the day, she chooses world and how passionate we Harry: Trying to track them down me and I choose her, and there- were about seeing change. I and make sure they’re around at fore whatever we have to tackle, think that was what got date two the same time she’s popping in, together or individually, will al- in the books! without telling too many people ways be us together as a team. Harry: Plenty to talk about. – we’ve actually done incredibly Meghan: That’s so nicely said, Children? well to make sure you’ve met all isn’t it? Harry: Not currently, no. the key people.

HELLOMAGAZINE.CA PHOTO: TIM ROOKE/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK 7 OF 21 So does that mean a lot of the Harry: A couple of times. liam as well, fantastic support. time you’ve been together in Meghan: Yes, true, a couple of And then my father, we had a this past year and a half you’ve times … couple of – no more than that … been at home a lot? Yeah, we Harry: And the corgis took to Meghan: We’ve had … had to sort of reverse the whole you straight away! Harry: … a handful of teas and process and [spend] cozy Meghan: That’s true. meetings and all sorts of gath- nights in, in front of the tele- Harry: I’ve spent the past 33 erings over at his place as well. vision, cooking dinner, with it years being barked at; this one So no, the family together have just being the two of us by our- walks in, absolutely nothing … been absolutely, you know, a selves in our little cottage, rath- Meghan: Just lying on my feet solid support, and my grand- er than going out for dinner during tea. It was very sweet. parents as well have been won- and being seen in public. So Harry: Just wagging tails, and I derful throughout this whole we have, we’ve reversed the was just like, “Argh!” process, and they’ve known for

‘The fact that I fell in love with Meghan so incredibly quickly was confirmation to me that all the stars were aligned’– HARRY

whole process, which [has] Speaking of dogs, have you quite some time. So how they provided different opportun- brought yours to the U.K.? haven’t told anybody is a mir- ities and it’s made us a hell of a Meghan: Well, I have two dogs acle in itself. But now the whole lot closer in a shorter space of I’ve had for quite a long time, family have come together and time, I think. both my rescue pups. And one have been a huge amount of Meghan: That’s true. is now staying with very close support. Harry: So, you know, if anybody friends, and my other little guy Meghan: They’ve been amazing. else at home is listening, then is in the U.K. – he’s been here maybe, you know, slow down on for a while. I think he’s doing And Meghan, your parents: Do the dates and spend more time just fine. you think they have worried at at home. For us it was an oppor- all about the scale of what tunity to really get to know each Harry, what was it like introdu- you’re getting into? I’m sure other without other people cing Meghan to your father [at] the onset, both my parents looking or trying to take photos [Prince Charles] and your broth- and my close friends were con- on their phones and all that er [Prince William]? It was excit- cerned because we got very kind of stuff. ing. I mean, I’d been seeing her quickly caught up in a media Meghan: And we were able to for a period of time when I lit- storm … But they also had never really get to know each other erally didn’t tell anybody at all. seen me so happy. Once my that way, but also then to go and And then William was longing to friends were able to really meet have friends over for dinner or meet her and so was Catherine, Harry, and my mom … to go to his family for tea. And so you know, being our neigh- Harry: Her mum’s amazing. even take the time to be able to bours, we managed to get that in Meghan: It was just obvious that go on long country walks and a couple of – well, quite a few no matter what we were being just talk. times, and Catherine has been put through, it was just tempor- Harry: We’ve been all over the absolutely … ary, and we were going to be place. Meghan: She’s been wonder- able to get through that. So Have you met the Queen? ful … everybody was really happy. Meghan: I have, yes. Harry: … amazing, as has Wil- And he’s talked to my dad a

HELLOMAGAZINE.CA 8 OF 21 ‘William was longing to meet her and so was Catherine … my grandparents as well have been wonderful throughout this whole process’ – HARRY

few times – hasn’t been able to jewelry collection, to make sure said, would probably have been meet him just yet – but it’s all she’s with us on this crazy jour- best friends with Meghan. So been worth every effort. ney together. it’s days like today when – when Harry: Yeah, yeah, it’s been Meghan: It’s beautiful, and he I really miss having her around great. designed it – it’s incredible. and being able to share the Harry: Yeah, make sure it stays happy news. But, you know, And your ring! on that finger. with the ring and with every- Meghan: Oh, yes. Meghan: Of course! thing else that’s going on, I’m sure she’s … Tell us about your ring. Harry, what do you think your Meghan: She’s with us. Harry: The ring is yellow gold mother would have thought of Harry: I’m sure she’s with us, because that’s her favourite, Meghan? They’d be thick as yeah, you know, jumping up and the main stone itself I thieves, without question. I and down somewhere else. sourced from Botswana. And think she would be over the the little diamonds on either moon, jumping up and down, This interview first aired on BBC side are from my mother’s so excited for me, but then, as I television on Nov. 27, 2017.

HELLOMAGAZINE.CA PHOTO: STEVE BACK/GETTY IMAGES 9 OF 21 AT THE HISTORIC WEDDING VENUE HOW EXCITEMENT IS BUILDING FOR THE BIG DAY

hen Harry and Meghan tie the knot within Wthe magnificent walls of Windsor Castle – followed five months afterwards by Harry’s younger cousin and her groom, Jack Brooksbank – they’ll be following a tradition for royal weddings dating back to the reign of Queen Victoria. Not only that, three of their immediate rela- tives – Prince Charles, Prince Edward and, most recently, their cousin Peter Phillips – have walked down the aisle at the opulent 15th-cen- tury St George’s Chapel. If the wedding of Harry’s brother, Prince William, to Kate Middleton in 2011 is anything to go by, around 300 million people will be watching the nuptials from around the world,

PHOTOS FROM TOP: FLYNET/SPLASH NEWS; MAX MUMBY/INDIGO/GETTY IMAGES; HELLOMAGAZINE.CA DAVID X PRUTTING/BFANYC.COM/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK 10 OF 21 Prince Charles and Camilla walk down the aisle (left) in 2005. Sou- venirs on sale in Windsor for Harry and Meghan’s big day in- clude mugs, fudge and heart- shaped pins featuring the U.K. and U.S. flags (above).

be gathering for a bird’s-eye view of the wedding procession.” To pay tribute to the couple, Fudge Kitchen is creating a new Harry-and-Meghan-themed re- cipe. And its maple walnut fudge gives a nod to Meghan’s link with Canada – she lived in Toron- with thousands more expected to line the wind- to for seven years while filmingSuits. “We’ve been ing streets of the historic market town. told that Harry’s partial to our salted caramel A flurry of wedding plans is whirling behind fudge and took some with him to Antarctica the scenes as a growing buzz of excitement sur- when he did his Walking With the Wounded rounds the oldest and largest inhabited castle in challenge in 2013,” says Sharon. the world – home over the ages to 39 monarchs, and the Queen’s favoured weekend retreat. DRAWING THE CROWDS Public celebrations in Windsor will revolve WEDDING MEMORABILIA around its hotels, restaurants and pubs. “We’re Gift shops are replete with souvenirs featuring preparing champagne breakfasts with a lovely the couple’s image. Hotel rooms were sold out all-white theme,” says John Perry, manager of the within a month of the engagement announce- Queen Charlotte pub, adjacent to the castle. ment and bars have sold out every square inch of “There will be TVs screening the event live in all space as tourists and film crews from all over the the rooms and a wedding-style board with guests’ world prepare to witness the big day. names and their allotted tables outside. “Every room overlooking the castle will be Robert Gillespie of the Two Brewers pub near crammed with people peering through windows the Long Walk also plans to offer his customers a for a glimpse of the newlyweds,” Shannon fun experience for the wedding. “I’ll provide Hodgins, acting manager of Fudge Kitchen op- Harry and Meghan masks along with bottles of posite the castle, tells Hello! bubbly to toast the newlyweds,” he says, smiling. “We’ve named the room at the top of our “There’ll be Harry and Meghan faces on the building the Castle Suite. That’s where we’ll all pub sign, too, and bunting everywhere.”

HELLOMAGAZINE.CA REPORT: SALLY MORGAN, EMILY HORAN. PHOTOS FROM LEFT: TIM GRAHAM/CORBIS/GETTY IMAGES; NO CREDIT (3) 11 OF 21 FIT FOR A FAIRYTALE ENDING MEGHAN’S DRESS SEE WHO’S HELPING THE ROYAL BRIDE-TO-BE BEHIND THE SCENES

eghan has had her first Suits wardrobe department M wedding dress fitting for Hello! in 2015 when they with her chosen designer at picked out a bridal gown for Kensington Palace, according Meghan’s character, Rachel to reports. While the design- Zane. For her own wedding, er’s identity and details of the Meghan is likely to opt for a dress remain top secret, the simpler style. A source told bride-to-be is said to have been Britain’s The Sun that the wed- “very excited” to see things ding gown is “breathtaking” coming together. and “more of a showstopper Meghan’s good friend Jes- than Kate Middleton’s wed- sica Mulroney, a well-connect- ding gown, but it also adheres ed fashion adviser and bridal to royal etiquette.” stylist, is understood to have Hotly tipped as her wed- flown over from Toronto to ding dress designers are Bur- join her for the special mo- berry, and Australian duo ment. Ralph & Russo, who created Wife of the former Prime the gown she wore in her offi- Minister’s son Ben Mulroney, cial engagement photos. Can- Jessica has been styling Meghan adian-born Erdem could also since 2014 and was also stylist be in the running. Meghan to Sophie Grégoire Trudeau. may well be taking advice She and her four-year-old from another close fashion daughter Isabel are expected designer friend, Misha to play a big part in the wed- Nonoo, the woman credited ding. Jessica appeared with with introducing her to Harry. Meghan in a video tour of the The actress famously wore Mi- sha’s “Husband” shirt for her first public appearance with Harry, at the Invictus Games in Toronto last fall.

Clockwise from above: Meghan, as her Suits alter ego Rachel; on a tour of the TV show’s wardrobe department; with friend Jessica Mulroney; Misha Nonoo; Tamara Ralph and Michael Russo; and Erdem Moralioglu.

REPORT: EMILY NASH. PHOTOS FROM LEFT: USA NETWORK; NO CREDIT; STHANLEE B. MIRADOR/SIPA USA/NEWSCOM; SAMIR HELLOMAGAZINE.CA HUSSEIN/WIRE IMAGES;GETTY IMAGES; JOHN LAMPARSKI/GETTY IMAGES; GEORGE PIMENTEL/WIREIMAGE/GETTY IMAGES 12 OF 21 FOLLOWING ROYAL TRADITION, MEGHAN IS READY TO WED AFTER HER BAPTISM INTO THE

t’s a venue that has long held special signifi- I cance for the Royal Family and the Chapel Royal at St. James’ Palace in London was once again the setting for a key moment as Meghan Markle was secretly baptized into the Church of England in March. In an intimate 45-minute ceremony led by , (who will marry the couple on May 19), Meghan The former actress was baptized and confirmed in the was both welcomed into the Church and also Chapel Royal at St. James’ Palace in a ceremony con- confirmed, which will allow her to take holy ducted by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who communion with the Royal Family. The move will marry the couple on May 19. ‘Unlike recent wed- paves the way for Meghan’s marriage to Prince dings, I must not drop the ring,’ he joked afterward. Harry in front of the Queen at Windsor Castle. As monarch, the Queen is head of the Church of England and defender of the faith. Kate was also confirmed at St. James’ Palace before her wedding to William on April 29, 2011. Meghan’s decision to be baptized is clearly a mark of respect for her future grandmother- in-law, but it is also a personal choice. “It was very special,” said Justin. “It was beauti- ful, sincere and very moving. It was a great priv- ilege.” Still, he joked, “Unlike recent weddings, Using royal heirlooms, the lily I must not drop the ring and I must not forget font and silver ewer, Meghan to get the vows in the right order as I did at the was baptized with holy water rehearsal for one of my children’s weddings!” from the River Jordan. Born a Protestant, Meghan was educated at the Roman Catholic Immaculate Heart school for girls in Los Angeles. Joining her at the ceremony were 18 guests, including Harry, his father the Prince of Wales, and his stepmother the Duchess of Cornwall. Meghan is understood to have followed tradition by having two sponsors, who are sim- ilar to godparents, for her baptism. It is thought one of them was Jessica Mulroney. Af- ter the service, Prince Charles and Camilla hosted a private dinner for the guests at their home in Clarence House.

REPORT: EMILY NASH. PHOTOS FROM TOP: EDDIE MULHOLLAND/DAILY TELEGRAPH/PA/CP; HELLOMAGAZINE.CA DOMINIC LIPINSKI/WPA POOL/GETTY IMAGES; ANTHONY DEVLIN/PA/CP; REX/SHUTTERSTOCK 13 OF 21 BY INVITATION ONLY! MAKING IT OFFICIAL 600 LUCKY GUESTS GET THE HAPPY COUPLE’S BLESSING

he invitations to Prince Harry T and Meghan Markle’s wed- ding have been mailed out, with 600 guests expected to receive the hand-pressed, gold-embossed cards. A notch lower in formality than his brother William’s – guests are personally invited by Prince Charles rather than by the Queen – the invitations specify a midday (7 a.m. EST) wedding service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle on May 19, followed by a lunch- time reception in St George’s Hall, hosted by the Queen. Around 200 people have also been invited to the evening re- ception at nearby , hosted by Prince Charles. And while their big day prom- ises to be a star-studded event, no heads of state or political figures will be spotted in the pews, de- spite Harry’s close ties with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and for- mer U.S. President Barack Obama, and Meghan’s relation- ship with Justin’s wife, Sophie. Those in attendance can refer to the dress code on the cards to craft their ensembles ahead of the mid-May nuptials – uniform, morning coat or lounge suit for men and day dress with a hat for women. We can’t wait to see how The 600 guests are invited to attend the ceremony at Windsor­ Hollywood’s A-listers make it Castle’s St George’s Chapel, followed by a reception in St George’s their own! Hall. A further 200 are invited to an evening reception at Frogmore House (above left).

REPORT: LAURA BENJAMIN. PHOTOS FROM TOP: MAX MUMBY/INDIGO/GETTY IMAGES; REX/SHUTTERSTOCK; HELLOMAGAZINE.CA REX/SHUTTERSTOCK; REX/SHUTTERSTOCK 14 OF 21 FINISHING TOUCHES FLOWER POWER MEET THE FLORIST WHO’S BEEN HANDPICKED TO TRANSFORM THE CASTLE

rince Harry and Meghan The finished arrangements PMarkle will bring a touch of will reflect both Meghan’s the English countryside to their tastes and her passion for sus- wedding, filling St George’s tainability. Her favourite peon- Chapel in Windsor with ies will be among the blooms, eco-friendly blooms taken from along with seasonal flowers Florist Philippa (top left) is no local gardens and parkland. such as white roses and fox- stranger to famous clients, in- The couple have chosen ce- gloves. cluding Prince Harry’s cousin lebrity florist Philippa Crad- The magnificent Gothic St Peter Phillips and Canadian bride dock to create the arrangements George’s Chapel will be decked Autumn, pictured leaving St for their big day on May 19, out in branches of beech, birch George’s Chapel after their wed- which promises to be both and hornbeam. May-blooming ding in May 2008. colourful and fragrant. flowers will be used where pos- “I’m excited and honoured sible and much of the foliage, to have been chosen by Prince and some pollinator-friendly Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle plants, will be sourced from the to design and create their wed- gardens and parkland of the ding flowers,” said Philippa, Crown Estate and Windsor who has a studio in London’s Great Park. Fulham district as well as a shop The designs will reflect the at Selfridges. “Working with “wild and natural” landscapes them has been an absolute from which the plants are pleasure. The process has been drawn, says Kensington Palace. highly collaborative, free-flow- The self-taught florist will ing, creative and fun. also help the sentimental “The final designs will repre- couple pay tribute to Harry’s sent them as a couple – which I late mom, Princess Diana. Ac- always aim to achieve in my cording to People, they’ll be work – with local sourcing, sea- incorporating her favourite sonality and sustainability be- bloom, white garden roses, into ing at the forefront.” the arrangements.

REPORT: TRACY SCHAVERIEN. PHOTOS CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: DOMINIC LIPINSKI ; HELLOMAGAZINE.CA NO CREDIT; POOL/ TIM GRAHAM ROYAL PHOTOS; ARTHUR EDWARDS/POOL/GETTY IMAGES 15 OF 21 he sweetest element of Prince Harry T and Meghan Markle’s wedding day has been decided! The couple have selected London-based pastry chef Claire Ptak, owner of Violet Cakes, to produce the memorable confection. Kensington Palace revealed that the bride and groom, breaking with the tradition of celebrating a royal union with fruit cake, asked Claire to create “a lemon elderflower cake that will incor- porate the bright flavours of spring,” topped with buttercream and adorned with real flowers. Claire, who, like Meghan, originally hails from California, said she was “de- lighted” to play such an important role in the couple’s big day. “Knowing that they really share the same values as I do about food proven- ance, sustainability, seasonality and most importantly flavour makes this the most exciting event to be a part of,” she said in a statement. The appointment has been years in AS THE PALACE INTRODUCES the making. Back in 2015, Meghan fea- tured Claire’s delicious treats on her THE ROYAL now-defunct lifestyle blog, The Tig, writ- ing, “[Claire] has hit the nail on the CAKE MAKER head with her London bakery, serving WE LOOK AT HOW CLAIRE PTAK up delightful treats that have garnered WILL RISE TO THE OCCASION a cult following (in that ever so civilized British way) in the U.K. and beyond.” After training under Alice Waters at Chez Panisse in Berkeley, Calif., Claire moved to London to launch what has become one of the city’s most cele- brated bakeries. She’s also a successful author, having released The Violet Bakery Cookbook in 2015. No stranger to high-profile clients, Claire baked a mocha gluten-free birth- day cake for celebrity chef Jamie Oli- ver’s wife Jools in 2017. “I prefer things that aren’t too com- plicated,” she says. “Sweet things should feel special and fun,” she adds. “I’m just Some of the California doing what’s natural to me, and trying native’s decadent to do it really well.” floral creations.

HELLOMAGAZINE.CA FROM TOP: REX/SHUTTERSTOCK; INSTAGRAM (2) 16 OF 21 REDUCING US TO TIERS! SWEET MEMORIES FEAST YOUR EYES ON THE BEST ROYAL WEDDING CAKES IN RECENT HISTORY

PRINCE WILLIAM AND KATE

Prince William and Kate “She’s a very creative per- Middleton’s eight-tier-high son and that’s why it was so dessert was decorated in special.” A replica of the “the language of flowers,” cake was created for the with 900 sugar-paste leaves sum- and blooms, echoing the mer exhibition in 2011. lace detail on the bride’s Slices of the cake, neatly Alexander McQueen dress. packaged in a tin box, have The couple hired Leices- since sold for thousands of tershire-based Fiona pounds at auctions. The Cairns, dubbed “the queen couple are said to have of cakes,” to create the 220- saved the top three tiers for lb fruit confection, which their future children’s chris- took five weeks to make. tenings. Perhaps that was a “The whole cake was Kate’s clue as to how many kids idea,” Fiona told Hello! they planned to have!

PHOTOS FROM TOP: JOHN STILLWELL; CHRIS JACKSON/GETTY IMAGES; HELLOMAGAZINE.CA JOHN STILLWELL 17 OF 21 CHARLES AND DIANA

At the celebration of Prince Charles’s marriage to Lady Diana Spencer in July 1981, their official wedding cake stood five feet high and weighed 255 lb. The traditional fruit cake with cream cheese icing was made by David Av- ery, head baker of the Royal Naval Cookery School in Chat- ham, Kent. It took 14 weeks to create, along with a second cake in case the original was dam- aged. Decorated with the Prince of Wales’ coat of arms, the Spencer family crest and the couple’s initials, the tow- ering creation was topped with fresh flowers including roses, orchids and lily of the valley. The newlyweds actually served 27 cakes at their Buck- ingham Palace reception, most provided by royal fans, but it was David’s cake that was cut with the ceremonial sword be- Twenty-seven cakes were served at the wedding, but it was David fore it was boxed up and hand- Avery’s spectacular creation that Prince Charles cut with a sword at ed out to the 120 guests. the reception.

HELLOMAGAZINE.CA PHOTOS FROM LEFT: PRINCESS DIANA ARCHIVE; REGINALD DAVIS/REX SHUTTERSTOCK 18 OF 21 The cake was cut using Philip’s Mountbatten sword – a gift from George VI

ELIZABETH AND PHILIP

Princess Elizabeth celebrated her 1947 wedding to Prince Philip of Greece with an ornate nine-foot cake weighing a whopping 500 lb. It was designed by Fredrick Schur, lead confectioner at McVitie & Price. This company, better known as McVitie’s, is still in royal favour today, having made the chocolate “groom’s cake” served at William and Kate’s wed- ding. Fredrick decorated his cake with coats of arms and scenes from the royal couple’s everyday lives. With rationing still in effect after the Second World War, ingredients came from all over the world, including the Australian Girl Guides, who donated the sugar. A tier of the so-called 10,000 Mile Cake was sent back to them by the newlyweds to show their thanks. The cake was cut using Philip’s Mountbatten sword – a gift from George VI – and divided into 2,000 pieces to give to guests. A replica was made last year for a TV docu- mentary that marked the couple’s 70th wedding anniversary.

HELLOMAGAZINE.CA PHOTOS FROM LEFT: TOPICAL PRESS AGENCY (2) 19 OF 21 EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT

‘THEY HAD EACH OTHER AT “HELLO”’ THE ROYAL ROMANCE BRITAIN’S MOST FAMOUS ROYAL BIOGRAPHER ANDREW MORTON TELLS US HOW IT ALL BEGAN

The scene was set, Cupid’s arrow was aquiver, and single. Meghan, it appeared, preferred the actor the stars, as Harry observed during his engagement Dennis Quaid, in any case. interview, were aligned. Not that Meghan had much of an opinion about the man she was about A MAGICAL BLIND DATE to meet. When she was asked during a TV quiz Harry had his work cut out. That said, Meghan was [editor’s note: it was a Hello! Canada online interview] meeting a very different Harry from the young man to choose between William and Harry, she ap- who made a profession of falling out of bars. On peared nonplussed, and the presenter had to en- July 1, he had just returned from France, where he courage her to choose the prince who was still had joined the then prime minister David Cam-

HELLOMAGAZINE.CA PHOTO: SAMIR HUSSEIN/WIREIMAGE/GETTY IMAGES 20 OF 21 eron, Prince Charles, the Duke sage: Kiss Me. Next to the photo- and Duchess of Cambridge, and graph Meghan posted “Love Hearts other dignitaries at a service to in London.” commemorate the 100th anniver- She had even taken herself by sary of the start of the Battle of the surprise. When Harry asked if she Somme. The event had been a would be interested in joining him sombre and moving reminder of on safari for a few days in August the enormity of that day, and Harry – mere weeks after their first meet- returned in sober spirits. ing – she found herself saying, Meghan was meeting a grown- “Yes, please.” Schedules were con- up, a man with focus and resolve, a sulted, days were agreed upon, sense of who he was and what he plans were made. She had to could achieve. She had asked her Not long after meeting pinch herself. Here she was about to friends before their meeting if he Harry, a smitten Meghan travel halfway around the world to was kind and nice, and the answer showed her feelings spend five days in a tented camp in lay in his blue eyes. As they say in the with a Love Hearts the middle of nowhere with a man movies, they had each other at “hel- candy on Instagram. she had met twice. It was a side to lo.” She was immediately sensitive to herself that she was just discovering. him, aware that this was a man who beneath the The last full day she had in London she spent at banter and the surface chatter, was looking for a Wimbledon, where she sat in the players’ box along safe harbour. The question she asked herself after with Vogue editor Anna Wintour and her niece. As that first intoxicating meeting was could she pro- she was watching her friend Serena Williams thrash vide it – and all that entailed. Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova, it began to rain. They were mesmerized by one another, Harry Meghan was wearing a simple but expensive black enthralled by her beauty, sophistication and per- suede Ralph Lauren dress, so Anna, ever the fash- ceptiveness. She understood him as a man, not a ionista, offered her wool cardigan so that the suede title. In that subtle one-upmanship of a first date, would not be stained by the water while they waited he realized that while his grandmother might be for the roof to be installed. Once play resumed, the Queen, Meghan had given a speech at a UN Anna recovered her cardigan and Serena eased forum. As he subsequently confessed, he realized her way through to the last eight. that he would have to up his game. Though she was nursing the biggest secret of At the end of the evening, they said their good- her life, Meghan was focused on the action, stand- nights and went their separate ways, he to Notting- ing to applaud her friend’s outstanding play. How- ham Cottage at Kensington Palace, she to a room ever, courtside photographers were more focused at the Dean Street townhouse in Soho. Both were on Anna and on Kate’s sister Pippa Middleton than buzzing. As she relived that fateful evening in her on Meghan. She was placed under the heading “in- mind, she perhaps wondered if she had been too cidental people” by one photographic agency. Not eager to accept his invitation to meet again the fol- for much longer. lowing day. “Gutted to be leaving London,” Meghan told her 1.9 million Instagram followers before she WHIRLWIND ROMANCE boarded her flight to Toronto. It would be some As Harry later confirmed, the couple enjoyed back- months before even her close friends realized to-back dates, making every minute matter before exactly why the parting was so bittersweet. she had to fly back to Toronto on July 5 to continue promoting the new season of Suits. The normally Excerpted from Meghan: A Hollywood self-contained actor was smitten. Unable to keep Princess by Andrew Morton. Used by her feelings contained, her Instagram account gave arrangement with Grand Central away just a little; on July 3 she posted a picture of Publishing. Copyright © 2018. All rights two Love Hearts candies that bore a simple mes- reserved

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