ZB ZB
Live now
Start time
Playing for
End time
Listen live
Listen to NAME OF STATION
Up next
Listen live on
ZB

Tears as Harry gives 'emotional, off the cuff' speech

Author
NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Sun, 20 May 2018, 11:17AM
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have started to wrap up their big day. (Photo / Getty)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have started to wrap up their big day. (Photo / Getty)

Tears as Harry gives 'emotional, off the cuff' speech

Author
NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Sun, 20 May 2018, 11:17AM

Prince Harry delighted guests with an emotional "off the cuff" speech at his wedding reception — and brought the house down when he referred to Meghan as his wife for the first time.

The beaming royal paid tribute to his bride, and joked that guests should leave quietly to avoid waking the neighbours, The Sun reports.

It followed an emotional speech from Prince Charles about Prince Harry's childhood — before Elton John brought the house down with an impromptu concert.

The future king, 69, is thought to have used his closing remarks to pay tribute to Meghan Markle — and reportedly commented on how "beautiful" the couple are together.

READ MORE:
Royal wedding photo album
When Harry married Meghan - as it happened

A guest told People: "It was very off-the-cuff, which was lovely. He promised that all the Americans wouldn't steal the swords and said, 'Please, when you leave, be quiet as you don't want to wake the neighbours,' which was quite fun.

"It was more than you would ever imagine it to be. It did feel like we were really part of their very special occasion. It just felt about the two of them, which was great."

Charity boss Suhani Jalota told how the speeches left guests wiping their eyes — and added that a raucous cheer went up when Harry finally referred to Meghan as his wife.

She said: "Some people were even crying. I think it was just a very, really nice atmosphere to be in where everybody felt really loved."

"Essentially it was just about how Harry was as a child and growing up. And now just about the couple and how beautiful they are together.

"So I think it was just about their personalities and how they gel really well together."

Jalota, who founded the India-based Myna Mahila charity, told how Elton John then wowed guests with a small concert — but did not reveal which songs he sung.

She said: "He was incredible. It became like a mini-concert in the reception area. It was great."

In a break from tradition, Meghan Markle will give her speech at the evening reception of the royal wedding.

The 36-year-old bride has bravely made the choice to speak at the star-studded reception in front of 250 guests.

The reception will be lacking a father-of-the bride speech after Meghan's dad Thomas Markle Snr pulled out of attending over health fears.

The after-party is being held by Prince Charles in a £300,000 ($538,000) glass marquee in the grounds of Frogmore House.

They will join 250 lucky guests at the stunning country house, which is situated within in the grounds of Windsor Castle, Berkshire.

The lunchtime reception featured speeches from Prince Harry and best man Prince William, who is acting as compere.

It took place Saturday afternoon UK time at St George's Hall in Windsor Castle.

Guests will tuck into a selection of canapés — including warm asparagus spears wrapped in Cumbrian Ham and "Scottish Langoustines wrapped in Smoked Salmon with Citrus Crème Fraiche".

 

Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you