Meghan Markle taken to Royal Wedding in vintage Rolls-Royce loaned to her by the Queen

Meghan Markle in the back of the vintage Rolls-Royce (Reuters)
Meghan Markle in the back of the vintage Rolls-Royce (Reuters)

Meghan Markle ventured to her historic wedding to Prince Harry in a vintage Rolls-Royce limousine.

The bride, who travelled to St George’s Chapel in Windsor to tie the knot, was loaned the car for the day by the Queen.

Meghan and her mother Doria Ragland left the Cliveden House Hotel in the Rolls-Royce Phantom IV, which was built and delivered to the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh in 1950 when she was still Princess Elizabeth.

The car was used by the Duchess of Cambridge used the same model for her trip to Westminster Abbey for her wedding to Prince William in 2011.

A host of high-profile guests are waiting at the Windsor Castle chapel for the royal bride, including Elton John, David and Victoria Beckham, George and Amal Clooney, Serena Williams, Harry’s uncle Earl Spencer and Oprah Winfrey.

The car was loaned to Meghan Markle by the Queen ( Reuters)
The car was loaned to Meghan Markle by the Queen ( Reuters)

Meghan left Cliveden House, in Taplow, Berkshire, where she spent the night, accompanied by her mother Doria Ragland.

The pair could be seen chatting, and a relaxed-looking Meghan gave a brief wave, as the vintage Rolls-Royce Phantom IV, left for the drive to the Windsor Castle.

The car was built in 1950 and was the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh’s first Rolls-Royce when she was still Princess Elizabeth.

Harry’s father and the Duchess of Cornwall took that exact same car for their journey to the ceremony on Saturday.

The luxury vehicle had to undergo a rigorous repair job in time for the Cambridges’ wedding after it was damaged by student protesters.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom VI, a present to the Queen from the famous car manufacturer to mark her Silver Jubilee in 1977, was splattered with white paint and had a rear passenger window badly cracked by the group campaigning against increases to student fees.

The Queen arrived in Windsor on Saturday in her state Bentley, delivered in 2002 as a Golden Jubilee gift, while the Duchess of Cambridge, bridesmaids and pageboys arrived in vintage Daimler DS 420s.

The groom, accompanied by brother and best man, the Duke of Cambridge, made their way to the chapel on foot.

Prince Harry and US TV star Meghan Markle were married in Windsor Castle on Saturday in a star-studded and emotional ceremony watched live by cheering crowds and beamed into homes around the world (PA)
Prince Harry and US TV star Meghan Markle were married in Windsor Castle on Saturday in a star-studded and emotional ceremony watched live by cheering crowds and beamed into homes around the world (PA)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stand together in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle for their wedding (Getty)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stand together in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle for their wedding (Getty)

The first glimpse of the white wedding dress suggests it has a boat neck. She was wearing a white veil.

Following the nuptials, Harry and his American bride will be known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Hours before the ceremony, which is to be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Buckingham Palace announced that Harry has been given the dukedom – the highest rank in the British peerage.

The Queen’s grandson, who is sixth in line to the throne, will pledge to love, comfort, honour and protect the former actress as they become husband and wife in the historic surrounds of St George’s Chapel.

Harry also received Scottish and Northern Irish titles, becoming the Earl of of Dumbarton and Baron Kilkeel, which means Meghan will become the Countess of Dumbarton and Baroness Kilkeel.

Prince Harry waves to the crowd ahead of the ceremony. (PA)
Prince Harry waves to the crowd ahead of the ceremony. (PA)

Other information to be released includes details of the couple’s wedding rings – Harry’s is a platinum band with a textured finish, while Meghan’s has been fashioned from a piece of Welsh gold, gifted by the Queen.

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Tens of thousands of royal fans have begun to descend on the Berkshire town to catch a glimpse of the bride and groom, as police have effectively created a ring of steel around the castle in a massive security operation.

Weather forecasters are expecting wall-to-wall sunshine, meaning the newlywed couple will be able to ride through Windsor town centre in the open top Ascot landau for their carriage procession.

Some 250 members of the armed forces will take part in the pomp and ceremony of the celebrations, with regiments closely connected to former soldier Harry lining the streets.

Around 30 members of the royal family including the Queen and 96-year-old Philip, who is well enough to attend after undergoing a recent hip operation, will gather in the 600-strong congregation.

US actor George Clooney (R) and his wife British human rights barrister Amal Clooney (C-R) arrive for the royal wedding ceremony of Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, in Windsor, Britain (PA)
US actor George Clooney (R) and his wife British human rights barrister Amal Clooney (C-R) arrive for the royal wedding ceremony of Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, in Windsor, Britain (PA)

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