Harry and Meghan shocked fans with very unlikely song for first dance

17 August 2023 , 13:00

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Harry and Meghan shocked fans with very unlikely song for first dance

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wedding was watched by millions around the world. The sun was shining as tens of thousands of fans lined the streets of Windsor to catch a glimpse of the happy couple.

The one part of the big day that royal fans had to wait years to see - as it was included in their Netflix documentary - was the evening reception. And in particular, what the royal duo picked for their first dance. Despite it being one of the most romantic days of the year, Meghan and Harry opted for something very unusual for their first dance as husband and wife.

Determined to make the wedding's evening reception as much fun for everyone as possible they chose Wilson Pickett’s 1966 hit Land of 1000 Dances, which Meghan herself admitted she often forgets the name of. Insiders claimed at the time that the evening's soundtrack is deliberately designed to be tongue-in-cheek for maximum frivolity among the 1,200 wedding guests.

In the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's documentary, Meghan said: "It was so fun. Just spinning like a whirlwind." Meghan had changed into her second gown of the day for the special moment, a bespoke Stella McCartney dress, while husband Harry looked smart in a tuxedo.

Despite the huge guest list for St George's Chapel in Windsor, the evening celebrations were much smaller with just 200 people. Idris Elba DJ'd while George Clooney was spotted serving drinks and tennis legend Serena Williams was seen having a hilarious game of beer pong. There were also sweet nods to Harry's mother, Princess Diana, as Meghan wore one of her late mother-in-law's rings for the party.

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Meghan and Harry both gave speeches, thanking the guests for coming and declaring their love for one another. A spokesman said the wedding day also “celebrated the memory” of Princess Diana with her three siblings invited and her sister Lady Jayne Fellows giving the reading. Unusually, Meghan did not have a maid of honour and instead had only have children as bridesmaids on the day, including Princess Charlotte.

Jennifer Newton