More than 250 members of the Armed Forces will help celebrate the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with ceremonial roles, including the Household Cavalry and units that have a close relationship with the groom.
The military will provide support both during the May 19 wedding and the carriage procession, the Ministry of Defence says.
The Household Cavalry will form a “staircase party” at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle where the couple are to wed. State trumpeters and a Captain’s Escort from the Household Cavalry will offer ceremonial support.
Prince Harry served as an Apache pilot in Helmand Province, Afghanistan with 662 Squadron, 3 Regiment Army Air Corps, making the pageantry more personal for the royal couple. He also served with the 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles in Afghanistan in 2007.
Several other units also have a special relationship with Prince Harry" such as Royal Navy Small Ships and Diving, Royal Marines, 3 Regiment Army Air Corps, The Royal Gurkha Rifles, and RAF Honington.
These units and the 1st Battalion Irish Guards will line the streets within the precincts of Windsor Castle. The Band of the Irish Guards will provide musical support.
“Prince Harry and Ms Markle are pleased that members of the Armed Forces will play such a special role in their wedding. The military, and these units in particular, hold a great significance for Prince Harry and the couple are incredibly grateful for their support,” Kensington Palace said in a statement.
Prince Harry joined The Blues and Royals in April 2016 and served with the Household Cavalry Regiment, undertaking two tours of Afghanistan and rising to the rank of Captain.
The request for military support was made by Kensington Palace.
“I am proud that members of the Armed Forces have been asked to take part in the ceremonial celebrations taking place on the royal couple’s wedding day. It is a happy occasion for the whole country and reminds us of the role the Armed Forces play in marking important events in the life of the nation,” Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach said.