Royal wedding: Invitations for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding posted to 600 guests

PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding invitations have officially been posted to about 600 lucky guests.

In a statement released overnight, Kensington Palace revealed about 600 wedding invites had been issued this week for the couple’s May 19 service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor.

Per royal family tradition, the invites were issued in the name of Prince Harry’s father Prince Charles.

“All 600 guests have also been invited to the lunchtime reception at St George’s Hall, which is being given by Her Majesty The Queen,” the statement said.

“Later that evening, around 200 guests are being invited to the private reception at Frogmore House given by The Prince of Wales.”

Rumours abound, of course, over who is and isn’t on the guest list. The Sun is reporting that three of Harry’s former flames, pop star Ellie Goulding, Chelsy Davy and Cressida Bonas are all on the guest list.

A source told The Sun: “Ellie has stayed good pals with Harry and is obviously really excited.

“She has no plans to perform this time but just wants to celebrate her friend’s marriage.

“Princess Eugenie’s also a close friend, so she’ll fit right in.”

And while Kensington Palace said they would not be releasing the names of the guests, there has been some speculation in the British media that Ms Markle’s half-brother Thomas Markle Jr and half-sister Samantha Grant will not be invited after they both publicly criticised her. Ms Grant is penning a book about Ms Markle titled The Diary of Princess Pushy’s Sister.

Etiquette expert Grant Harrold, who used to work as a butler for the royal family, told News Corp that it was likely to be a star-studded event.

“Given Meghan was a successful Hollywood actress it’s likely there will be a lot of star spotting on the day,” he said.

The wedding invitations were produced by printing company Barnard and Westwood which has had a royal warrant for printing and bookbinding for The Queen since 1985.

Royal warrants are issued to tradespeople who provide good and services to the royal family.

In January 2012, the company was awarded a rare second warrant for printing by Prince Charles.

The invitations are dye-stamped in gold and then polished.

The edges of the invitations have been bevelled and gilded. They also feature Prince Charles’ official badge The Three Feather.

Names of guests have been added by a calligrapher.

Managing director of Barnard and Westwood Austen Kopley said the wedding would be a “truly special occasion”.

“We are thrilled to be able to create equally special invitations for their guests,” Mr Kopley said.

“We are incredibly honoured to continue our longstanding work for the royal family, and to be involved in such an important moment for the couple and their family and friends.”

An additional 2600 people including schoolchildren, wounded soldiers and community youth leaders have been invited into the grounds of Windsor Castle for a front-row view of the wedding.

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