After the best man, will it be the best woman? Meghan Markle is planning to deliver a speech of her own at her wedding to Prince Harry this spring.
In a striking departure from royal marital tradition, the American former actress is understood to be ready to speak at the reception that will follow the wedding ceremony on May 19.
Prince Harry, 33, and Markle, 36, will marry in front of about 800 guests in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. The bride, who is expected to be gifted the title of Duchess on her wedding day, is planning an “affectionate” tribute to her new husband and will offer thanks to the Queen, her family and friends. There may even be a couple of jokes.
Prince Harry has not yet confirmed his choice of best man, although his brother, Prince William, is widely tipped. Harry was William’s best man at his 2011 marriage to Kate Middleton.
Markle’s father, Thomas, 73, a former Hollywood lighting director who is known to be deeply private, is expected to walk his daughter down the aisle, but is less likely to speak at the reception.
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A source said: “The feeling is if Meghan’s father doesn’t speak for her, she wants to have the chance to thank her husband and everyone who has supported them. Harry thinks it’s a great idea.”
Markle is no stranger to public speaking. In 2015, she told a UN gathering: “I am proud to be a woman and a feminist . . . A wife is equal to her husband.”
In a 2016 interview, she described Donald Trump as “divisive” and “misogynistic”. There has been no word on a wedding invitation for the US president.
Asked by the television presenter Piers Morgan last week whether he wanted to attend, Trump replied: “I want them to be happy . . . they look like a lovely couple.”
Told of Markle’s 2016 comments, Trump replied: “Well, I still hope they’re happy.” Kensington Palace declined to comment.