Celebrate the Royal Wedding in Winchester
On Saturday 19 May the nation will be celebrating the Royal Wedding of HRH Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. If you’d like to share the big day with others in a historic city bursting with royal connections, Winchester has a range of events to mark the historic occasion.
Free tickets have been booked up fast by members of public who have reserved a seat to watch a livestream of the wedding ceremony inside the magnificent Winchester Cathedral nave between 12 noon and 1pm. Family celebrations will take place in the outer close until 5pm and spaces for quiet reflection will be available throughout the day.
The Very Reverend Catherine Ogle, Dean of Winchester, said:
464 years since Queen Mary (Tudor) and future King Philip II of Spain married at Winchester Cathedral, we are delighted to be showing the marriage service of HRH Prince Henry Charles Albert David (Harry) of Wales and Ms Meghan Markle, ‘live’, joining the national celebrations for the royal couple.
The Cathedral has witnessed countless weddings over the years and we hope people will join us in the Nave on Saturday 19 May for a unique opportunity to be part of the wedding service as it takes place and to celebrate this happy occasion.
As this is a joyous Christian wedding we are opening up Winchester’s great Cathedral for people to gather together and share the joy of this new beginning and national event in community.
Get into the party spirit at Cabinet Rooms Jewry Street for a cake and cocktail wedding party – and up to 10 lucky people can watch an exclusive live screening of the wedding with local Raimes sparkling wine in their ‘Foreign Office’ function room.
Prepare for your own royal party on Friday 11 May with America versus England sparkling wine tasting at the Hambledon Vineyard, or enjoy their Best of British Tea Party on Friday 19 May with a banquet fit for a royal.
Choose from beautifully designed biscuits tins to tea towels and special mugs from the newly refurbished tourist information centre to remember the celebrations.
Various street parties are being held across the Winchester District to toast HRH Prince Harry and Megan Markle. And the traditional festival Mayfest is taking to the streets with live Morris and folk dancing music so there will be a real buzz in the air in the city centre.
Round off the celebrations with the Magic of Motown later in the day at Guildhall Winchester or laugh along with Lee Nelson as he performs his Serious Joker tour at Theatre Royal Winchester.
And - if there is another match on your mind - there is an opportunity to catch the FA Cup final live on the Guildhall’s big screen in the King Alfred Chamber…