Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s first official royal wedding photos

These are the extraordinary official wedding photographs released by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle today in what must be the boldest and most intimate royal portraits ever released.

The newlyweds released three new photographs with a message for the millions of people around the world saying they ‘feel so lucky’ to have shared their big day with them and thanking them for their messages. 

The most striking image is of Meghan sitting between Harry’s legs as the prince looks smiling at the camera while his new bride laughs at someone off camera. 

A Kensington Palace spokesperson said: ‘The Duke and Duchess of Sussex would like to thank everyone who took part in the celebrations of their wedding on Saturday. They feel so lucky to have been able to share their day with all those gathered in Windsor and also all those who watched the wedding on television across the UK, Commonwealth, and around the world.

‘Their Royal Highnesses are delighted with these official portraits taken by Alexi Lubomirski and are happy to be able to share them today. They would also like to say thank you for all of the generous messages of support they have received’.

The couple were captured by Alexi Lubomirski, 42, the protege of photographer Mario Testino who was famously beloved by his mother Princess Diana.

Meghan and Harry’s choice of official images can be seen as the next stage of their royal revolution. 

These are the extraordinary official wedding photographs released by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle today in what must be the boldest and most intimate royal portraits ever released

In this extraordinary image with their six bridesmaids and four page boys George, third from the right is grinning cheekily as is Charlotte, second left on the floor

And even the formal wedding photo with the Queen, Prince Philip, William, Charles and Meghan's mother Doria has an informal warm feel

And even the formal wedding photo with the Queen, Prince Philip, William, Charles and Meghan’s mother Doria has an informal warm feel

Mr Lubomirski, 42, whose own wife Giada looks very much like Meghan, pictured together at Windsor Castle on Saturday,  called the star's relationship with Prince Harry a 'wonderful love story'

Mr Lubomirski, 42, whose own wife Giada looks very much like Meghan, pictured together at Windsor Castle on Saturday,  called the star’s relationship with Prince Harry a ‘wonderful love story’

The Duchess of Sussex has made it clear she intends to take the royal family in a bold new direction, declaring she is ‘proud to be a woman and a feminist’.

And their US-influenced and multi-cultural wedding ceremony with gospel choir and fiery Chicago preacher’s sermon was something conservative royals had never experienced before.

Mr Lubomirski, 42, whose own wife looks very much like Meghan, called the star’s relationship with Prince Harry a ‘wonderful love story’.  

He was chosen after he photographed the now-newlyweds on their engagement in a series of stark images released in December. 

The pictures taken at Frogmore House in Windsor included one intimate black and white portrait of the couple embracing.  This is where the couple held their evening reception on Saturday night.     

Body language expert Judi James said at the time that the couple look ‘so in love’ in the three new official royal portraits viewers felt like they were ‘intruding’ on a private moment. 

Meghan has been hailed for her part in the most diverse royal wedding ever. 

In a candid biography published on the Queen’s official website, Meghan highlights a speech she gave at the 2015 UN Women Conference, in which she forcefully stated her guiding principles.

The profile recalls how volunteering in a soup kitchen in LA’s Skid Row, and campaigning against a ‘sexist’ washing up liquid advert, helped shape her ‘lifelong commitment’ to ‘social justice and women’s empowerment’.

The new page on Buckingham Palace’s online guide to the royals lists the duchess’s interests, saying she has a ‘keen awareness of social issues’.

The newlyweds leave Windsor Castle after the royal wedding on their way to the reception at Frogmore House, where they had their engagement shoot last year

The newlyweds leave Windsor Castle after the royal wedding on their way to the reception at Frogmore House, where they had their engagement shoot last year

Harry and Meghan waved as they drove to Frogmore House in a converted electric car for their glittering reception  

Harry and Meghan waved as they drove to Frogmore House in a converted electric car for their glittering reception  

Meghan Markle and Harry have been praised for their modernising wedding ceremony and passionate kiss of the steps of St Geoerge's Chapel

Meghan Markle and Harry have been praised for their modernising wedding ceremony and passionate kiss of the steps of St Geoerge’s Chapel

A sea of smiling faces greets Harry and Meghan as they leave the church after the American-influenced service conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury

A sea of smiling faces greets Harry and Meghan as they leave the church after the American-influenced service conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury

Harry looked very emotional at points in the service and several others in the congregation were in tears on their happy day

Harry looked very emotional at points in the service and several others in the congregation were in tears on their happy day

Last night a source told the Mail that while Meghan was keen to make an ‘impact’, she would not rush into Turn to Page 3 Continued from Page One anything, and was very conscious of what ‘it means to be a royal’. The public statement of her values comes after she insisted on walking halfway down the aisle alone, and refused to be ‘given away’. As details of her new role were revealed, it emerged that:

After a tumultuous build-up to the wedding, a tearful Prince Harry praised his wife for having ‘navigated everything with such grace’, adding: ‘We make such a great team’;

Meghan made a speech at their private reception, referring to Harry ‘my husband’, which made him blush, and thanking Prince Charles for his welcome to the family;

Her wedding dress designer, Givenchy’s Clare Waight Keller, revealed that even the women working on the garment were kept in the dark about who it was for;

Hairdresser Serge Normant revealed it took him just 45 minutes to create Meghan’s ‘messy bun’ using a packet of hair pins that cost only a couple of pounds;

The couple’s first dance was to Land of a Thousand Dances by Wilson Pickett and a ‘worse-for-wear’ George Clooney was among the last to stagger off the dance floor;

The newlyweds spent last night at a mystery romantic bolt-hole, with the Queen apparently looking after Meghan’s pet beagle Guy while they are away.

Mr Lubomirski's bold use of black and white and British winter light won him more plaudits

Mr Lubomirski’s bold use of black and white and British winter light won him more plaudits

Some royal watchers said the public may have felt they were intruding on a private moment because the engagement shots were so personal

Some royal watchers said the public may have felt they were intruding on a private moment because the engagement shots were so personal

Yesterday the Duchess of Sussex’s name was already on the Court Circular, the royal family’s record of engagements. Tomorrow she will attend her first official engagement as a royal, at a Buckingham Palace garden party to mark Charles’s 70th birthday.

Meghan has, sources say, already become a strong influence on the direction of Harry’s public work, particularly his championing of women’s issues.

The couple plan to become ‘Commonwealth champions’, to the delight of the Queen. A trip to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga in October is being discussed at the highest level and aides are promising that the second half of this year will be ‘incredibly busy’ for the pair.

They will also take a couple of short trips before the summer, including a visit to Dublin. Harry, 33, is yet to visit Ireland but Meghan, 36, spent time there as an ambassador for the One Young World summit in 2014.

But it is the visit to Australia, where Harry’s Invictus Games for injured servicemen and women is being held in Sydney, that is expected to showcase the duke and duchess as a new royal ‘power couple’ Yesterday, a senior aide said everyone, not least the bride and groom, had been deeply moved by how well Saturday’s wedding went. ‘I think that although the day was unquestionably royal in every way it felt like just the two of them were there,’ said another. ‘When they looked into each other’s eyes it was clear nothing else mattered.’ Saturday evening’s riotous party was described as the ‘perfect end to a perfect day’. Meghan gave a speech in which she grinned broadly as she referred to Harry as ‘my husband’. ‘I think he was even more emotional than her,’ a source said.

‘Meghan also expressed her gratitude to her mother and to her friends but the person she really singled out was the Prince of Wales. She has been so touched by how welcoming he has been to her and her mother.’ The couple spent their first night of married life in Windsor Castle’s Lancaster Tower, before enjoying a night at a mystery location. But they will return to work this week, having postponed their honeymoon.

Mr Lubomirski, pictured with his wife Giada, is himself a prince who was born in England but now lives in New York with his family

Mr Lubomirski, pictured with his wife Giada, is himself a prince who was born in England but now lives in New York with his family

Who is the prince chosen to photograph Meghan and Harry? 

Meghan and Harry’s photographer himself has the title His Serene Highness Prince Alexi Lubomirski (right).

He is descended from an influential Polish family who received the hereditary title of prince of the Holy Roman Empire from Emperor Ferdinand III in the 17th century.

Mario Testino’s protege Mr Lubomirski, who was born in England but now lives in New York, was given his first camera aged 11 by his stepfather. 

He has also become a firm favorite with celebrities, and has shot cover stars such as Julianne Moore, Angelina Jolie, Demi Moore, Beyoncé, Charlize Theron, Gwyneth Paltrow, Natalie Portman and Jennifer Lopez.

Other celebrities he has photographed include Selma Hayek, Katy Perry, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman and Scarlett Johansson. 

The star photographer is a prince of the Polish House of Lubomirski, whose royal lineage stretches back 500 years on his father’s side and gives him the title: ‘His Serene Highness’.

Experts said the royal engagement series involving Harry and Meghan were ground-breaking

Experts said the royal engagement series involving Harry and Meghan were ground-breaking

Mr Lubomirski was born in England to a Peruvian/English mother and a Polish/French father and at the age of eight, he moved to Botswana with his mother and English stepfather.

He was introduced to star photographer Testino and joined him in Paris as his assistant for four years and has worked regularly for Vogue and Harpers Bazaar.

He has also published books including ‘Princely advice for a happy life’ – a tribute to his two sons – and ‘diverse beauty’ about models not usually used in fashion magazines and campaigns.

Mr Lubomirski lives in the East Village of Manhattan with his wife Giada and two young sons Sole Luka and Leone. 

 

 

 



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