Meghan Markle wowed fans across the globe when she walked down the aisle and became Prince Harry’s lawfully wedded wife. But what happened at the exclusive after party at Frogmore House? The evening shindig was a chance for Harry and Meghan to kick start their brand-new chapter and celebrate behind closed doors, and when the cocktails are flowing and James Corden is hosting, you know it’s going to be good!
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The venue
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s engagement photos were taken at Frogmore House, from what we can see it looks pretty fancy!
The festivities kicked on with Prince Charles hosting an intimate post-wedding gathering at Frogmore House for 200 close family and friends.
Located on the Windsor castle grounds – you’ll recognise the stunning surroundings as the place where Harry and Meghan took their engagement photos – Frogmore House is known for its beautiful gardens and the royal Mausoleum where Queen Victoria and Prince Albert are buried.
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The dress code
According to The Sun, the 200 guests were told to “dress to the nines” for a night of “old-fashioned glamour and gallons of champagne.”
Celebrities including Serena Williams, Priyanka Chopra and Jessica Mulroney showed off their gorgeous gowns on Instagram, unfortunately for us there was a no phones rule at the reception, so we can just imagine what they looked like getting down on the dancefloor.
Kensington Palace revealed Harry and Meghan in their second outfits (we’re still in love with the Duchess of Sussex’s flawless Stella McCartney gown) as they drove off to the evening reception in a vintage blue Jaguar. Did you notice their wedding date on the number plate?
First dance and music
There were a few Tiny Dancers in attendance!
Rather than a slow dance, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex opted for Whitney Houston’s 80s pop classic, I Wanna Dance With Somebody for their first dance as man and wife. What a way to get the party started!
Elton John cancelled two concerts in Las Vegas this weekend and played at not only the lunchtime reception, but also the evening one too. According to The Daily Mail, cheeky chap Harry asked “Can anyone play the piano?” before Sir Elton dropped a medley of four hits—Your Song, Tiny Dancer, Circle Of Life, and I’m Still Standing.
And while guests certainly got their Crocodile Rock on, the evening reception had more of a nightclub vibe.
Former military man Harry, who is known for his love of house music and great taste in beats enlisted his dear friend and DJ to the stars Sam Totolee to look after the music for the night. The Sun also reports that Luther actor and DJ Idris Elba took a turn on the decks “with a playlist filled with soul classics, 1960s R&B and 1980s dance hits.”
The speeches
TV host and actor, James Corden, surprised everyone and played emcee for the night so we’re sure there were plenty of laughs coming from the British funny man. The Sun says he “compered a dance-off between Harry, Charles and William.”
According to The Daily Mail, best man Prince William delivered a “naughty” speech as did Harry’s close childhood friend Tom ‘Skippy’ Inskuipp and William’s old friend from prep school, Tom Van Straubenzee.
The Sun reports that Prince Charles ‘had reception guests in stitches’ and made jokes about changing Harry’s nappy.
Typically the bride’s father makes a speech, but since he was infamously absent, Meghan broke with tradition and spoke, thanking the royals for welcoming her.
Food and drink
We would’ve loved to see these two behind the bar!
According to The Daily Mail, the evening party started with a “sit-down dinner” made from organic ingredients, consisting of “light-bite canapes” following the theme of “spring meets summer.”
As the night went on though, Harry and Meghan kept it down-to-earth with a festival-themed menu of pork belly, posh burgers and fairy floss, designed by chef and Gordon Ramsey protege Clare Smyth.
And we all know the royals love a drink, so guests had the option of Pol Roger champagne, whisky bars and a couple of signature cocktails. Prince Charles, who hosted the exclusive reception, along with his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, are big gin fans so there was a gin vermouth concoction as well as a rum-based cocktail with ginger beer called, ‘When Harry Met Meghan.’ We’ll take one of each!
And afterwards…
Congratulations to the newlyweds!
For those who wanted to kick on after the spectacular firework display, The Daily Mail says that guests were invited to London for an “after-after party” which took place “at Chiltern Firehouse in Marylebone,” with a separate party “planned in a soundproofed private home in Chelsea.”
All we can say is, we bet the morning after was a rude awakening! Sounds like the Duke and Duchess along with their guests had a fab night!
Be sure to get the special edition of Woman’s Day on sale Monday- relive the magical day with 16 pages of the most precious moments from Harry and Meghan’s wedding. Plus look out for our dedicated souvenir issue on sale nationally on Thursday with the complete picture album!
