Prince Harry told the Archbishop of Canterbury he would take Meghan Markle to be his wife at a glittering display of royal pageantry that supporters hope will inject a measure of modern Hollywood glamour into the 1,000-year-old monarchy.
“I will,” Harry answered when asked by Justin Welby, the leader of the Anglican Communion, if he would take Markle - dressed in a flowing white gown created by British designer Clare Waight Keller - to be his wife, to love her, comfort her, honour her and protect her.
The declarations are being followed by a reading and the address, delivered by black US bishop Michael Bruce Curry.
Meghan Markle arrives for her wedding to Britain’s Prince Harry at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, Windsor, Britain, May 19, 2018 Reuters
The couple then give their vows, exchange rings – a Welsh Gold ring for Markle and a platinum band for Harry – before the archbishop proclaims them husband and wife.
After entering St George's Chapel unescorted, Markle made her way towards the Quire, halfway down the church where Prince Charles walked her to his son, Harry.
White roses, favourite flowers of Harry's late mother Princess Diana, adorned the chapel. Markle's mother, Doria Ragland, 61, appeared tearful.
Prince Harry was dressed in a military frock coat uniform as was his brother, best man Prince William. Earlier Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip arrived by car.
Tens of thousands of fans lined the route Markle took towards the castle, waving British flags and cheering as the Rolls-Royce limousine drove past with the bride and her mother.
Hours before, Elizabeth bestowed the title of Duke of Sussex on her grandson, a step that means the American actress, star of the TV drama "Suits," will become a duchess when she marries Harry.
Under clear skies and glorious sunshine, a military band in scarlet uniforms and bearskin hats entertained excited fans gathered behind barriers. Police armed with semi-automatic rifles patrolling streets and watching from rooftops.
"It’s absolutely incredible. The atmosphere here is just going to be crazy when Meghan turns up. I’m so pleased to be here," said Charlotte Field, 21, one of 1,200 people invited into the grounds of the castle for the wedding.
"This is a moment when we can all celebrate the rebirth of the royal family," said Kenny McKinlay, 60, who had come down from Scotland for the wedding. "It's a time when all the nation can come together rather than being divided. It's a day when you can be proud to be British."
The couple, who met on a blind date in 2016 and fell in love in a tent under the stars in Botswana, will tie the knot at the 15th-century St George's Chapel, in a castle that has been home to 39 English monarchs since 1066.
