Well the day is almost here, folks! The wedding of the year: Prince Harry of the British royal family is marrying American actress Meghan Markle.

On May 19, 2018, the couple will wed at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.

The ceremony inside the chapel will be attended by about 800 guests, while another 2,600 people will be on the grounds of Windsor Castle to view the procession. The ceremony will begin at noon UK time (7 AM EST), although television broadcasting of the procession on CBS, BBC America, and other news channels will begin around 9 AM (4 AM EST).

Prince Harry, the younger son of the late Princess Diana and currently sixth in line to the throne, used to be known as the ‘wild-child’ prince. He was always getting into trouble for everything, from public intoxication to insensitive comments. However, after seeking counseling to help him cope with mental issues related to his mother’s death and ten years of serving in the Royal Army Air Corps, he seems to have redeemed himself in the public’s eyes.

Ms. Markle, the biracial star of the TV drama ‘Suits,’ originally hails from Los Angeles, California. In 2003, she graduated from Northwestern University with degrees in Theatre and International Relations. Known as a fierce advocate for gender and racial equality, Markle has dealt with many criticisms and threats over the years. Concerns for the couple’s safety as a result of this contributed to the relationship receiving little media attention prior to their November engagement.

I really think she has the potential to be the next ‘People’s Princess.’

The engagement was initially kept a secret but was officially announced on November 27, 2017. Prince Harry proposed over a roast chicken dinner at the couple’s cottage. The ring features a diamond from Botswana surrounded by two diamonds from Princess Diana’s personal collection.

As with most royal weddings, the details of the event are causing envy among many. The couple decided to forgo the fruitcake wedding tradition and instead have a lemon elderflower cake with buttercream frosting, a flower-adorned dessert prepared by Claire Ptak, a London-based pastry chef originally from California. This unique cake flavor is inspiring ice cream parlors and bakeries, including Magnolia Bakery in NYC, to make their own limited-edition lemon elderflower confections. The floral arrangements will be done by Philippa Craddock with flowers picked from the Crown Estate and Windsor Great Park. Markle, a Catholic, will be baptized and confirmed into the Church of England prior to the wedding. The event will be photographed by Alexi Lubomirski, the same man who took the couple’s engagement photos. One of the most highly anticipated elements of the event is Markle’s dress, the details of which have not been officially released.

“Royal weddings are normally super procedural and don’t have a lot of changes, but I think Meghan Markle’s dress is going to be a big piece of individuality. Since Harry isn’t in line for the throne, they may take more liberties in terms of the ceremony, which I’m excited to see,” said Rachel Landis ’19.

One potential issue that many were concerned would affect Markle’s acceptance into the royal family is Markle’s divorce from producer Trevor Engelson. The British royal family has an infamous record when it comes to divorce, although it has come very far since forcing King Edward VIII to abdicate the throne in 1936 for wanting to marry twice-divorced American Bessie Wallis Warfield Simpson. So far, Markle seems welcome in the family despite her marital history.

“I think their relationship will last just because they seem to be super in love with each other, and I’m assuming that she wouldn’t be able to marry into the family if the Queen didn’t approve of it, so I do think that she is going to be accepted by the family,” said Sanweda Mahagabin ’18.

Others have different reasons for believing Markle will be accepted by the British people.

“I think the people will definitely love Meghan! Even though she’s an actress and was famous before her engagement to Harry, there’s something about her that feels down to Earth (maybe her American attitude?) that the British people seem to find unique and entertaining. I really think she has the potential to be the next ‘People’s Princess’,” said Landis, referring to the late Princess Diana’s popularity.

The guest list has been receiving a lot of publicity because of Prince Harry and Markle’s close relationships with politicians like Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and former U.S. President Barack Obama. Many were concerned that inviting the Trudeaus and Obamas would offend the current U.S. President, so Kensington Palace released a statement saying that no current or former politicians would be invited, not even British Prime Minister Theresa May. Prince Harry’s position as sixth to the throne gave the royal family the justification for making this event apolitical as it is unlikely Harry will ever become king.

Two guests of note who will be missing the wedding are Prince Harry’s mother, the late Princess Diana, and Markle’s father, Thomas Markle. Mr. Markle reportedly underwent heart surgery this week and will be unable to travel to the U.K. to walk his daughter down the aisle. Prince Harry’s father, Prince Charles, will now giving away the bride.

No matter who attends the wedding in person, viewers around the world are sure to tune in to this historic celebration.