Royal wedding LIVE: Meghan Markle's Givenchy dress and preacher Michael Curry steal the show
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Your support makes all the difference.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.
Vows exchanged, rings on, the choir are now singing the anthem 'The Lord bless you and keep you' - and the royal couple, now husband and wife, can't stop smiling.
The Queen's grandson and the American former actress, who is now an HRH and the Duchess of Sussex, pledged their love for one another in the historic surrounds, watched by a television global audience of millions.
The bride, who has become a member of the British royal family, wore a stunning elegant, simple, pure white gown Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, with three quarter length sleeves and open bateau neckline.
The couple tenderly held hands and exchanged smiles during the wedding ceremony.
Our eagle-eyed fashion reporter Sabrina Barr is at Windsor and has been analysing Harry's uniform:
The register is now being signed, and while this takes place, the congregation is being treated to music by 19-year-old cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason and the orchestra.
And that's a wrap! With the National Anthem sung, the newlyweds are processing out of the chapel.
Congratulations to the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex!
The couple look impressively relaxed as they climb into their carriage to begin the procession through Windsor, being waved off by the crowds.
Considering her delicate veil is five metres long, Meghan did well not to trip when waling down the stairs from the chapel. The veil is made from silk tulle with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers in silk threads and organza.
Her hair is styled in an up do and she's wearing the glittering Queen Mary's Diamond Bandeau tiara, loaned to her by the Queen.
Meanwhile Maya Oppenheim is still mingling with the masses in Windsor, meeting some of the world's premier royalists:
"I met Margaret 40 years ago at the silver jubilee," David Jones, 84, says.
Margaret Tyler, 74, chips in: "We're best friends. He helps me out every day".
"I work to a plan. I do 3 or 4 hours of work for every day, doing all the royal plates and cups for her," he explains.
Ms Tyler says she repays him by cooking and taking him to hospital.
"My house in Wembley is like a shrine to the royal family," she says. "The royal family is me and David's great common interest."
Kimberley Smith, 50, a massage therapist, said she had traveled all the way from Canada on her own for the wedding.
"It was my birthday present to myself. I have always loved the royal family. The world has a lot going on and the royal family tempers that," she said.
"Look around you. Look at the energy here. I just want to be part of that," she added. "And I love Meghan. I love how she has stayed above everything recently".
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