Harry & Meghan's Wedding Is Still Most Popular despite 'Shattered' Rules as They Charm 'Crowds,' Expert Claims

Billions of people cleared their calendars and tuned in to watch Prince Harry marry his American sweetheart, Meghan Markle. In 2022, four years after they said "I Do," their breathtaking wedding remains the most popular.

The royal event didn't only create a buzz in the United Kingdom and the United States but drew attention worldwide. As the couple lovingly locked eyes, viewers gushed and dreamed about finding their own Prince Charming or Princess someday.

Many noted that Meghan and Harry's perfect day far outdid the wedding of Prince William and his wife, Kate. But, at what cost? The Sussexes big day wasn't cheap, and the total cost and people who helped foot the bill might surprise you.

As two billion viewers saw the couples say their vows, many wondered about the festivities' cost. The British royal family kindly paid for the flowers, church service, and reception, but another group was responsible for hefty expenses.

British taxpayers contributed an estimated £30 million (about $36.7 million) for security and other outside investments needed for the wedding. This figure shocked many, but it didn't stop the public from praising the 21st-century fairy tale event.

THE NO.1 WEDDING IN THE WORLD

The world wanted to know every detail about Prince Harry and Meghan's glamorous wedding, and their wish was granted. Insiders revealed that the couple chose a lemon elderflower cake. It was bright and colorful, perfect for their spring nuptials.

Meghan arrived at the St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in a vintage 1950 Rolls-Royce Royal Phantom IV alongside her mom, Doria Ragland.

After saying "I Do," the wedded couple paraded through the streets of Windsor in the Ascot Landau carriage, drawn by father-and-son horses, Storm, and Tyrone.

Philippa Craddock was the lucky woman tasked with designing and curating an essential element on every wedding day. She was the couple's floral designer, ensuring the foliage was exquisite and locally sourced.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge shared a few details on their Twitter page:

"Where possible, Philippa will use flowers and plants that are in season and blooming naturally in May, including branches of beech, birch, and hornbeam, as well as white garden roses, peonies, and foxgloves."

Attention quickly turned to Meghan's chosen dress and tiara. The crowds gasped when they saw her in an elegant floor-length gown, and she looked beguiling, oozing natural beauty from head to toe.

While the bride was technically only allowed to wear a tiara after she was wed, Meghan donned something extra special on the big day. A glistening piece sat on her head and was provided by Her Majesty, the Queen.

Known as Queen Mary's bandeau tiara, the jewelry item completed her look. Meghan's three-stone engagement ring, with a center diamond from Botswana, also stole the show alongside a simplistic gold wedding band.

The couple had a quick outfit change before heading to their evening reception at Frogmore House in a silver-blue Jaguar. The newlyweds were beaming as they drove off to their intimate celebration.

Harry changed from his royal uniform into a black suit that left him looking dapper. Meghan opted for an angelic halter-neck dress that showed she was ready for the awaited festivities.

Meghan and Harry paved the way for a new era on their wedding day. They broke traditions, and the bride made history when she gave a speech in her husband's honor at their intimate reception—no royal bride had done so before.

The couple showcased that they wanted to do things differently on their big day, and Meghan shattered yet another tradition when she walked herself halfway down the aisle. A spokesperson commented:

"While Harry and Meghan’s wedding contained much of the traditional splendor of a royal wedding ... the couple also used the ceremony as a way of revealing their modernity and control over their lives."

THE MAGICAL GIFT THAT KEEPS HARRY AND MEGHAN POPULAR

What started as bringing a sense of modernity to old traditions on the couple's wedding day turned into a full-blown withdrawal from the royal family. In 2020, Meghan and Harry decided to step away from their royal duties.

The choice damaged their reputation, and per royal commentator Jonathan Sacerdoti, "people [saw] them as hypocrites, as posers, as wannabes."

It was a far cry from their previous status as beloved public figures. Sacerdoti stated:

"I mentioned Meghan but look at Harry, he used to be such a popular member of the Royal Family."

Part of the public opinion about the couple changed, but their wedding remained the most popular despite breaking tradition and walking away from royal life. People found the event noteworthy, and many were still talking about it. One spokesperson said:

"Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are an extraordinary and explosive couple, bringing magic and mystery to everything they touch."

They added that the couple possessed "a gift when it [came] to captivating the crowds," which is how they managed to stay relevant and influential.

The royal event occurred more than four years ago, and the couple's reputation has taken a few blows since. However, it was revealed that they still have the number one celebrity wedding in the world. A spokesperson shared:

"The most popular celebrity wedding, with a total of 2,579,200 Google searches since 2018, was Meghan Markle and Prince Harry."

Prince Harry and Meghan outranked various power couples, including Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas, and Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez.

A spokesperson believed the duo's charm and ability to allure people by offering fresh ideas and modernity kept them at the top of search lists.

Although it might be surprising to some, Meghan also had the most famous royal engagement ring. Her diamond trio gained more interest than Kate's 12-carat oval sapphire ring that belonged to Princess Diana.

A spokesperson provided a suspected reason for the continued intrigue and curiosity surrounding Meghan and Prince Harry. They noted:

"Their ability to mix long-held royal protocol with modern and progressive thinking is what keeps the world hanging on to every detail of their lives."

While the public might have expected Prince William, second in line for the British throne, to outrank his brother by all accounts, it seems like Prince Harry and his wife still manage to win public favor and popularity in certain areas.