Meghan Markle marked eight years of marriage to Prince Harry by sharing a rare collection of behind-the-scenes wedding photos on Instagram, offering an intimate new look at their 2018 royal celebration
The Duchess of Sussex, 44, took to Instagram to share 24 images from behind the scenes of their big day on May 19, 2018
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are celebrating eight years of marriage.
Posting on Instagram, Meghan unveiled 24 images from the couple’s royal wedding celebrations, splitting them into two themed posts — one focused on the ceremony itself and another capturing moments from the evening reception.
Alongside the photos, she wrote simply: “Eight years ago today,” adding sun and moon emojis while crediting their photographer Chris Allerton.
The first post from the daytime celebrations opens with a series of intimate moments captured in the cloisters of St George’s Chapel, where the couple exchanged vows before heading to their reception. One image shows Prince Harry and Meghan Markle smiling warmly into each other’s eyes, while another colour photograph captures Harry admiring Meghan’s bouquet as she beams beside him. A third striking shot highlights the dramatic length of Meghan’s wedding train trailing behind her.
Other snapshots showed preparations for their official portraits, Meghan posing with her mother Doria Ragland, and Harry greeting guests.
The collection also included candid moments of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle delivering speeches during the celebrations, along with images of the couple raising a toast before sharing a kiss in front of family and friends.
Many of the images were shown in black and white, — including one of Elton John at the piano entertaining guests. A guest told PEOPLE at the time that one of the songs he played during the reception was “Tiny Dancer.”
The second Instagram post saw Meghan share 12 photographs from the evening festivities, featuring images of the couple dancing at their evening reception at Frogmore House, alongside an Instagram Stories montage set to “Land of 1000 Dances” by Wilson Pickett — the song the couple chose for their first dance.
The intimate images included the newlyweds’ first dance and affectionate moments on the dancefloor. One image captured the couple sharing a kiss, with another featuring Meghan showing off her wedding ring during.
In their 2022 Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, Meghan revealed she intentionally wanted their first dance to be fun and upbeat. She recalled the moment as being “just spinning like a whirlwind,” and said it was a blast.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex married at St George’s Chapel in May 2018, in a star-studded ceremony widely viewed at the time as a modernising moment for the British monarchy.
Meghan wore a gown designed by Givenchy artistic director Clare Waight Keller and reportedly inspired by Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. It featured six delicately placed seams that flowed into a 9-foot-long train. Three-quarter-length sleeves and an open bateau neckline served as the dress’s focal point, and Meghan paired it with matching shoes Waight Keller made from silk duchess satin.
Meghan’s Queen Mary Diamond Bandeau tiara served as her “something old” and “something borrowed,” while her “something blue” was a piece of fabric from her very first date with Prince Harry stitched into her 16-foot-long veil.
And Harry wore a military dress uniform, selecting the Blues and Royals frock coat with permission from the Queen. “I think it’s one of the smartest household cavalry uniforms,” he explained in a royal wedding exhibit that was later presented at Windsor. “It’s one of my favorites, and I was very fortunate to be able to wear that on the day.”
However, less than two years later, the couple stepped back from royal duties and moved to California to begin a new chapter outside royal life.
Since relocating to the United States, Harry has continued his charitable work through organisations including WellChild and the Invictus Games Foundation, while also advocating for mental health and online child safety initiatives.
Meghan, meanwhile, has expanded her lifestyle and media projects. Her brand As Ever offers home and food-related products, while her Netflix series With Love, Meghan has continued through multiple seasons and a holiday special.
The couple are expected to spend their anniversary privately in California with their children, Prince Archie of Sussex and Princess Lilibet of Sussex.
