Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will marry in St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on May 19 — the same day as one of the biggest English sports events of the year, the FA Cup final.
FILE - In this Monday Nov. 27, 2017 file photo, Britain's Prince Harry and his fiancee Meghan Markle pose for photographers during a photocall in the grounds of Kensington Palace in London. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to marry on May 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
The date was confirmed Friday by the prince's Kensington Palace office.
Click to Gallery
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will marry in St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on May 19 — the same day as one of the biggest English sports events of the year, the FA Cup final.
The date was confirmed Friday by the prince's Kensington Palace office.
Britain's Prince Harry arrives to take part in the Sovereign's Parade at The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, in Sandhurst, England , Friday, Dec. 15, 2017. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will marry on May 19 in St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, Kensington Palace announced Friday. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
The climax of soccer's oldest cup competition could present a distraction for guests at the royal reception, although the events should at least be at different times. The FA Cup competition, which is open to hundreds of teams all the way from the top-ranked Premier League down to amateur clubs, began in August and is played every month until two teams meet in the final.
The timing could be an issue for Harry's older brother Prince William, who is expected to be the best man at the wedding. William is president of the Football Association. He attended this year's match and presented a trophy to the winner, Arsenal — but will likely be otherwise engaged in 2018.
The prince and Markle announced their engagement last month after an 18-month romance.
While most British royal weddings are on weekdays, this one is a Saturday, and the same day as the soccer showdown at London's Wembley Stadium.
Harry's grandmother Queen Elizabeth II and other royals are expected to attend the wedding, along with Markle's parents, Thomas Markle and Doria Ragland.
Britain's Prince Harry returns to the stand as he takes part in the Sovereign's Parade at The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in Sandhurst, England, Friday, Dec. 15, 2017. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will marry on May 19 in St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, Kensington Palace announced Friday. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Britain's Prince Harry arrives to take part in the Sovereign's Parade at The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, in Sandhurst, England , Friday, Dec. 15, 2017. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will marry on May 19 in St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, Kensington Palace announced Friday. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
The climax of soccer's oldest cup competition could present a distraction for guests at the royal reception, although the events should at least be at different times. The FA Cup competition, which is open to hundreds of teams all the way from the top-ranked Premier League down to amateur clubs, began in August and is played every month until two teams meet in the final.
England's Football Association said in a statement that "May 19 promises to be a wonderful day with such a special royal occasion being followed by English football's showpiece event."
Britain's Prince Harry stands beneath a painting of himself and Prince William when they were Sandhurst cadets with Queen Elizabeth and other members of the royal family, that hangs in the entrance to "Old college", during the Sovereign's Parade at The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in Sandhurst, England, Friday, Dec. 15, 2017. (Richard Pohle/Pool Photo via AP)
The timing could be an issue for Harry's older brother Prince William, who is expected to be the best man at the wedding. William is president of the Football Association. He attended this year's match and presented a trophy to the winner, Arsenal — but will likely be otherwise engaged in 2018.
Harry is an Arsenal fan, and may find himself conflicted if his team makes the final for a fourth time in the last five years.
Britain's Prince Harry presents the sword of honour to the best overall officer cadet during the Sovereign's Parade at The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in Sandhurst, England, Friday, Dec. 15, 2017. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will marry on May 19 in St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, Kensington Palace announced Friday. (Richard Pohle/Pool Photo via AP)
The prince and Markle announced their engagement last month after an 18-month romance.
The 33-year-old prince, who is fifth in line to the British throne, and the 36-year-old divorced American actress met through a mutual friend in 2016, bonded during a camping holiday in Botswana and managed to keep their relationship secret from the media for several months.
FILE - This Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017 file photo shows a general view of St George's Chapel within the walls of of Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England. Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will marry at the chapel on May 19 2018. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, file)
In a joint interview last month, Markle said Harry proposed over a roast-chicken dinner at home. He gave her a ring set with two diamonds that belonged to his late mother, Princess Diana.
Markle is to be baptized in the Church of England before the wedding, and has said she will acquire British citizenship. That will require passing an eclectic citizenship test on British life and history that is famous for tripping up applicants.
The wedding venue holds a central place in the history of the royal family.
Windsor Castle, west of London, is one of Queen Elizabeth II's main residences. The 15th-century chapel is as historic but more intimate than Westminster Abbey, where William married Kate Middleton in 2011.
When the engagement was announced, the palace said the wedding of Prince Harry and Markle will "reflect their characters and personalities" and be a moment of "fun and joy."