Culture

Celebrities Packed the Royal Wedding—But They Weren’t the Stars

Who's Who

Stripped free of fusty British aristos and world leaders, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding featured friends, reps of their favorite charities—and Hollywood out in force.

180519-royal-wedding-celebs-tease_egm3j5
Photo Illustration by Sarah Rogers/The Daily Beast

The celebrities.

The fashion.

The freaking HATS.

ADVERTISEMENT

What was everyone talking about?

Before the ceremony, if you were watching on TV, it wasn’t like there was nothing to look at at the amazing, culture-changing royal wedding between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

The only tantalizing thing was what all those celebrities were making smalltalk about. They crowded St. George’s Church in Windsor, and the buzz and gossip flowed.

It was a more glamorous, style-drenched affair than an Oscars ceremony, and than any previous royal wedding.

St. George’s, Windsor, was a celebrity traffic jam.

First came Oprah Winfrey, wearing a blush, double tiered dress with lace trim made of sustainable viscose by Stella McCartney.

180519-oprah-embed_sv9wgg

Oprah Winfrey arrives for the wedding ceremony of Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and US actress Meghan Markle at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in Windsor, on May 19, 2018.

Ian West/Getty

There was Serena Williams and her husband Alexis Ohanian; she was in Versace: a gorgeous ruched, wrap dress and sculptural hat.

180519-serena-embed_ezdzm8

Serena Williams (L) and her husband US entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian (R) arrive for the wedding ceremony of Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and US actress Meghan Markle at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in Windsor, on May 19, 2018.

Chris Radburn/Getty

George and Amal Clooney came, she providing the first visual stun-gun of the day in a long mustard yellow dress and matching hat.

180518-george-amal-embed_rwlet8

George and Amal Clooney leave St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle after the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England.

WPA Pool/Getty

Victoria and David Beckham were there, she in severe navy, and staying rigorously on brand by not smiling.

180519-beckhamns-embed_z9jpab

Victoria Beckham and David Beckham arrives for the wedding ceremony of Britain's Prince Harry and US actress Meghan Markle at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England.

WPA Pool/Getty

Elton John and his husband David Furnish looked smart, and gossiped with a group including James Blunt.

180518-elton-embed_jrlghs

British singer-songwriter Elton John (R) and husband David Furnish leave after attending the wedding ceremony of Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and US actress Meghan Markle at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in Windsor, on May 19, 2018.

Ian West/Getty

There was Meghan’s good friend Javina Gavankar, who sauntered confidently into the church, as any guest would want to.

Her friend Priyanka Chopra was in a stunning, fitted Vivienne Westwood suit and Philip Treacy hat. James Corden came with his wife Julia Carey.

180519-Priyanka-embed_uxqmwt

Meghan Markle's friend, US actress Abigail Spencer and Meghan Markle's friend, Indian actress Priyanka Chopra (R) arrive for the wedding ceremony of Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and US actress Meghan Markle at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in Windsor, on May 19, 2018.

Chris Jackson/Getty

Carey Mulligan and Marcus Mumford—later seen yawning—came. Joss Stone arrived to the church in a light, flower-covered short dress with a hat that looked like a delicate morsel of creamy patisserie.

And not to forget the royals.

Sarah Ferguson, formerly the Duchess of York, was in navy, and looked over the moon to be back in the family fold.

Camilla Parker Bowles slayed in the battle of the hats with a gigantic pink creation that looked like it would also make an excellent bed of feathers.

180518-camilla-embed_csfo01

Doria Ragland, mother of the bride, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall walk down the steps at Windsor Castle after the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England.

WPA Pool/Getty

The queen wore beautiful lime.

180518-queen-embed_wbmwrd

Queen Elizabeth II arrives at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle before the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England.

WPA Pool/Getty

Kate Middleton and Pippa Middleton kept it very subtle; there were to be no pert bottoms stealing Meghan’s wedding day thunder.

180519-pippa-kate-embd_rgg2xv
via Getty

Harry’s exes were there too, Chelsy Davy and Cressida Bonas, which says a lot (only good) about him and them. They led a polished aristo contingent of even more stunning dresses and hats.

180529-exes-embed_tsxgvj
via Getty