Royal wedding LIVE: Meghan Markle's Givenchy dress and preacher Michael Curry steal the show
Follow our live updates
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails
Sign up to our free breaking news emails
After months of build-up, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are now married and hold the titles the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
The ceremony, which drew heavily on Meghan's African American heritage, took place at noon at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle and was watched by millions around the world.
100,000 people descended on Windsor, with many camping overnight in a bid to catch a glimpse of the royal couple.
Royal weddings have long been occasions steeped in tradition and ceremony, but when Harry and Meghan joined in marriage, it was diversity which was centre stage.
The influence of African-American culture was apparent throughout the service at St George's Chapel in Windsor, from the rousing address of black Episcopal Bishop Michael Curry to the spine-tingling performance of a gospel choir.
Such departures from the conventional Church of England wedding indicates the impact Meghan has had on the House of Windsor.
For she is far from a conventional royal bride.
Born in Los Angeles, California, to a white father and African-American mother, Meghan rose through the world of showbusiness with a plum role in the TV series Suits. By the time she met Harry, she was a divorcee, and today became the first mixed-race member of the royal family.
Few things illustrated the disparate cultural beginnings of bride and groom better than the religious figures who appeared at their wedding.
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby officiated with the measured solemnity common to Church of England services, while Chicago-born Bishop Curry riveted the congregation with a fiery delivery of his "Power of Love" address.
His speech touched on issues including slavery and poverty, even channeling the spirit of another celebrated black orator, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
While the bishop's performance may have been a break from the norm for the royal family, it delighted viewers in America.
US journalist Elamin Abdelmahmoud tweeted: "A black reverend preaching to British royalty about the resilience of faith during slavery is 10000000% not what I thought I was waking up for, the royal wedding is good."
Staples of gospel music sat alongside traditional church hymns on the order of service handed out to wedding guests.
Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir captivated viewers around the world with a performance of Stand By Me, written by African-American singer Ben E King, and This Little Light Of Mine, a tune which coloured the sound of the civil rights movement.
Ms Gibson later told Sky News: "Both of those are gospel staples you know, they are very well known. Etta James has done this arrangement.
"We really enjoyed it, we really rocked up to that one you know? It was great fun."
Praising the address of Bishop Curry, she added: ""It's what we're actually used to that's the flavour of preachers we're used to, so we were getting very excited."
As the couple slipped away for the signing of the register during the service, another talented black musician, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, took centre stage.
The British cellist - winner of BBC Young Musician 2016 - held the attention of the chapel as he performed several moving pieces which had been selected by the palace.
The 19-year-old later told the broadcaster: "It's such an honour and it's something that you could never expect.
"I still don't quite believe it, so it's just an amazing experience."
In further break from tradition Meghan was due to make a speech at the lunchtime reception hosted by the Queen on behalf of herself and new husband Prince Harry.
The royal newlywed was one of three people due to address around 600 guests at the event, being held at Windsor Castle's St George's Hall.
Her new husband and the Prince of Wales will also make speeches, Kensington Palace said.
Harry's best man and brother, the Duke of Cambridge, will act as compere, it said in a statement.
To read how we covered the day's festivities please read what was our live coverage below. If it was all a bit too much for you, please read our alternative live blog of the day below - it was a bunting-free zone.
With many people claiming he stole the show at the wedding, find out more about Bishop Michael Curry who's winning praise for his passionate sermon.
The procession continues through the sunny streets of Windsor, with Harry and Meghan demonstrating excellent smiling and waving skills.
Now that the royal procession is over, the couple will rejoin their wedding guests for a reception hosted by the Queen where, instead of a traditional sit-down meal, invitees will enjoy very on-trend bowl food, canapés and sweet treats to be eaten standing up.
Canapés include: Scottish langoustines wrapped in smoked salmon with citrus crème fraiche and croquette of confit Windsor lamb, roasted vegetables and shallot jam. Bowl food includes fricassee of free range chicken with morel mushrooms and young leeks.
This is taking place in St George’s Hall, a 180ft-long room inside Windsor Castle which often holds large state banquets.
In the evening, close friends and family of the couple will enjoy a private evening reception at Frogmore House - the location of the official engagement photoshoot - hosted by Prince Charles.
The crowd at Windsor are still going strong and thoroughly enjoyed their part in the celebration, according to reporter Maya Oppenheim on the ground:
Susie Kelly, 33, a marketing assistant from Hammersmith in London, said: "This felt special. We feel a connection with Meghan. She is obviously extra ordinary but also just a normal person. I feel a connection with her because she is mixed race and from a single parent family.
Her and Harry going to Brixton to Reprezent FM is an example of multi-cultural Britain coming together."
Fatima Mondeh, 36, her sister who is a law student, added: "Welcoming a black woman into such a prestigious family makes normal people like us feel accepted. She is not perfect. She has her flaws. Meghan for Queen. If anything happens, put her on the list."
Akunchan Krishna Dan, who is part of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness and from Mumbai originally, said he had thoroughly enjoyed the ceremony.
"I wanted to witness the royal marriage and the ceremony was wonderful. The whole ambience reminds me of festivals in India," he said.
"I wish them all the best. It is easy to marry but difficult to maintain a marriage," he astutely added. "I'd like to welcome them to India".
One of the royal wedding guests threw some amusing shade at a twitter user who questioned who had invited him to the wedding.
James Blunt, a former army officer turned singer/songwriter, has performed at the Invictus Games on several occasions.
The singer is known for his witty social media retorts:
After one Twitter user asked "who invited James Blunt to the royal wedding", the singer responded: "I'll give you two guesses."
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies