ET breaks down all the latest updates from the couple ahead of their May 19 nuptials!
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will be tying the knot at St. George's Chapel this spring, and each and every week, ET will be breaking down all the latest updates as they gear up for their May 19 nuptials.
BIGGEST NEWS OF THE WEEK
As of Thursday, we're officially one month away from the royal wedding! And with only 30 days to go, a source tells ET that Meghan is busy wrapping up all the last minute details.
"She wants to incorporate a few American traditions into the royal wedding and Harry is deferring to her on the plans for the big day," the source says. "She has a vision of exactly what she wants. She knows there are royal traditions to consider, but has been consulting with [stylist/BFF] Jessica Mulroney to add special flourishes that will reflect her and Harry's tastes."
"She's also finally chosen a hairdresser for her big day and is working with the stylist to create the perfect look to go with her glam dress," the source reveals.
We've patiently been waiting for new details about Meghan's wedding dress, but it sounds like we're going to have to wait until May 19 to see what the bride-to-be will wear.
According to Vanity Fair, she will have not one, but two custom-made wedding gowns -- the first is "an elaborate yet traditional bridal gown" for the ceremony and reception, and the second is "a glamorous, more sophisticated" gown she'll change into for the evening to "party the night away" with less restriction.
Meghan is planning to keep all details about the dresses, including the designer Jessica helped her pick out, top secret. The outlet reports that even Prince Harry doesn't know who is creating the custom pieces Meghan will wear on their special day.
"Meghan can't wait to surprise everyone, especially Harry," a source reportedly told VF. "The wedding dress itself will be traditional and elegant. There is talk of some lace and sleeves and Meghan has been working very closely with the designer who has been sworn to secrecy."
WEDDING COUNTDOWN
So, how many days until the royal wedding? Meghan and Harry will officially be saying "I do" in:
OUT AND ABOUT
On Wednesday, Meghan joined Harry for a reception honoring the delegates from the Commonwealth Youth Forum at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in London. The two were photographed both in and outside of the venue, greeting youth delegates, shaking hands and learning more about their work.
Sadly, we didn't get a Meghan sighting when Harry stepped out solo for the opening of the Commonwealth Youth Forum on Monday, but he did give his future wife a shout-out during his speech. "I am also incredibly grateful that the woman I am about to marry, Meghan, will be joining me in this work, of which she too is hugely excited to take part in," he said, while talking about the initiative and the importance of young people making their voices heard.
Hours before he mentioned Meghan in his sweet speech, he was appointed Commonwealth Youth Ambassador by his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. A source tells ET that Meghan is taking an increasingly high-profile role in the royal family, which is a sign of how confident they are in Meghan. "She's not afraid to express her views and they see Meghan as a real asset," the source says. "Meghan has been getting guidance from royal courtiers, so she can study up on Commonwealth history."
Over the next week, Meghan will accompany Harry in several high-profile engagements, nearly every day, the source adds, saying it's "something unthinkable and absolutely unprecedented for any other royal fiancée that preceded her." This upcoming weekend, for example, Prince Harry and Meghan are expected to attend an Invictus Games reception, hosted by the Hon Malcolm Turnbull, the Prime Minister of Australia, and Ms. Lucy Turnbull.
Two days later, they will attend a memorial service to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the murder of Stephen Lawrence. According to Kensington Palace, Prince Harry will read a message of support during the church service on behalf of his father, Prince Charles.
ROYAL RUMOR ROUNDUP
This week's rumor mill has the couple heading off to Africa for their first joint joint trip as newlyweds!
Travel + Leisure magazine reports that the lovebirds will jet-set to Namibia for their honeymoon, and it's rumored that the pair will be staying at Namibia's newest luxury camp, Natural Selection's Hoanib Valley Camp. According to the website, the company is "a collection of owner-operated safari camps and lodges united by the common aim of providing our guests with unique and exceptional safari experiences and being a part of the conservation solution for Africa’s wildlife."
It's a perfect place for the two, as it's ideal for privacy and provides plenty of adventures and beautiful sites to see, including safari tours, the Sossuvlei sand dunes, exotic animal sightings, the Skeleton Coast and more.
RATHER REGAL LOOKS
Meghan stepped out on Wednesday in our favorite look yet! The bride-to-be looked spring chic in a white pinstripe dress by Altuzarra, paired with a black blazer by Camilla & Marc. She wore her hair down, sported neutral makeup and complemented the classic ensemble with black Tamara Mellon stiletto heels and a now sold-out black-and-white striped handbag by Oroton.
While the dress retails for $1,995, we've gathered up some other similar options, so you can get this look for a whole lot less.
LOL OF THE WEEK
Is seems as though everyone is preparing for the royal wedding, including souvenir shops and brands of all sorts that are releasing commemorative products catered to what's sure to be the biggest celebration of the year. As we perused a local London shop last week, we found some great pieces to celebrate the couple's nuptials.
Aside from mugs, key chains and magnets, we found these party masks of our favorite royals, Harry, William, Kate, and soon-to-be royal, Meghan.
There were also some quaint Meghan and Harry reusable bags, that will surely come in handy when you're out grocery shopping for your royal wedding feast.
Feeling fancy? Sip on some English breakfast tea straight from a commemorative bin featuring the engaged couple's smiling faces.
Souvenir shops aside, it looks like Meghan's nephew, Tyler Dooley, is also cashing in on his aunt's wedding. Dooley, who legally grows cannabis in Oregon, told the Daily Mail that he is in the process of creating a new potent strain of weed named "Markle's Sparkle."
Additionally, on the far spectrum of memorabilia, the company Crown Jewels has created a commemorative condom (yes, you read that right!) in honor of Meghan and Harry's unforgettable day.
Wonder what Meghan and Harry think...
SERVIN' UP SUITS
Following the episode that aired this week, fans only have a few more chances to see Meghan in character as Rachel Zane in her final season with Suits.
USA Network recently released photos and a teaser for next Wednesday's episode, which shows Meghan in a bridal gown as Rachel walks down the aisle to marry Mike Ross, portrayed by Patrick J. Adams:
If you haven't been watching the show from the beginning, but still want to see Meghan as an actress, ET's got you covered! We recapped everything you could possibly need to know about Meghan's character HERE -- so you can easily get all caught up and still catch the bride-to-be's final episodes of the legal series before she officially becomes a royal.
SPARKLE LIKE MARKLE
Now that we're officially a month away from Meghan and Harry's nuptials, we thought we'd recap here all of the ways we've sparkled like Markle since the creation of this column. Now, it's your turn, ET readers. You have 30 days to:
1. Perfect the "Duchess Slant"
2. Mix Meghan's favorite drinks
3. Try out her go-to Pilates class
4. Get inspired by her fashion tips
5. Take her love advice
6. Learn proper princess etiquette
7. Cook her favorite (and surprisingly easy!) recipes
8. Shop her signature taupe lipstick
9. Book an appointment with a psychic
NEXT IN LINE
While Kate Middleton prepares to welcome royal baby No. 3 any day now, Prince William is hard at work!
The 35-year-old Duke of Cambridge attended a joint session of the Commonwealth Business and Youth Forums at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in London on Tuesday, as part of a week of events for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
The Duke of Cambridge met with attendees, and during his speech, he briefly mentioned his pregnant wife, saying, "When Catherine and I visited India in 2016, we were completely blown away by the innovation on display in the Indian businesses we met."
As the world awaits the birth of Kate and William's third child together, barriers have been erected outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital and new parking restrictions have been implemented in preparation for the royal baby’s arrival.
For now, that's a wrap on this week's royals update. Let us know on Twitter (@desireemurphy_ and @lizcalvario) what other regal news you'd like us to cover in the future, and be sure to join us next week for another roundup! In the meantime, keep up with all of ET's coverage of the royal wedding as we count down to May 19.
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