Royal Family

If you wondered how Prince Harry and Meghan spent their first day married ... the looks on their faces Monday should answer any questions.

The royal newlyweds had a certain glow about 'em as they arrived back at their home at Kensington Palace in London -- the first sighting since Saturday's festivities. They've done away with all the pomp and circumstance ... no chauffeur, as Harry drove his bride.

No immediate honeymoon for Megs and Harry ... they've postponed it for Prince Charles' 70th birthday Patronage Celebration. There's a public celebration for the future King of England on Tuesday.

Meghan Markle's haute couture Givenchy wedding dress wasn't the showstopper of the Royal Wedding, it was her 16-foot veil, according to Paris Hilton.

We got Paris at LAX over the weekend fresh off the plane from the Cannes Film Festival where she raised a ton of cash for charity and asked her what she thought of the Royal Wedding. Paris, who got engaged to fiance Chris Zylka over New Years, didn't have anything to say about the dress, but the veil was a different story.

Markle wore a tiara from Queen Elizabeth with the veil which was decorated with flowers from all 53 countries in the British Commonwealth along the trim. Markle also added the California Poppy, the State flower of California. The veil reportedly took hundreds of hours to make.

SNL parodied the Royal wedding reception of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and the funny is also relatable ... everyone has screwed up family members.

Mikey Day played Prince Harry and walked through the party introducing friends and relatives from both sides ... from a royal with pedophile tendencies to a "Deal or No Deal" briefcase model.

Shout out to Alex Moffat for his Prince William impersonation, and Tina Fey for Auntie Creepy.

Of course a portion of the reception is devoted to Meghan's warring fam ... truth is, in this case reality is way more interesting than parody.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their way to the more private evening reception following their Royal Wedding, and they're heading there in style ... James Bond style.

Meghan Markle changed out of her wedding dress into a white sleeveless, high-neck gown by Stella McCartney ... while Prince Harry put on a classic black and white tux that screams 007. The newlyweds left Windsor Castle to head to their second reception, hosted by Prince Charles at Frogmore House.

To top it all off ... the 2 hopped in Prince Charles' silver blue Jaguar E-Type Concept Zero -- which also gives off some strong Bond vibes -- and Harry drove them to the party.

As we reported ... Meghan and Harry got hitched Saturday morning in a wedding that was dramatic and kind of an awesome break from Royal tradition.

The big day has finally come for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ... Meghan is now a Duchess and the wedding was a dramatic and kinda awesome break from Royal tradition.

Meghan and Harry chose the song "Stand By Me," as an anthem to their nuptials. A Black American Bishop stole the show and she walked half way down the aisle herself as a show of independence.

Meghan is now the Duchess of Sussex ... Harry is the Duke.

Lots of celebs were on hand, including Oprah, George and Amal Clooney as well as David and Victoria Beckham.

Meghan's dad, Thomas Markle, tells TMZ, "My baby looks beautiful and she looks very happy. I wish I were there and I wish them all my love and all happiness." Thomas is in California, recovering from heart surgery. He says watching the ceremony was "emotional and joyful."

Meghan's mom was a big hit ... clearly moved by the ceremony as she sat front and center.

Meghan wore a Givenchy wedding gown, designed by Clare Waight Keller, the first female artistic director of the French company.

Either the Royal Wedding programs were printed far in advance, or someone made a huge mistake ... because they're not updated to show Meghan Markle's dad, Thomas, won't be there.

The Order of Service for Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding was just made available to the public, and we noticed something wrong ... on page 9 -- there are 20 pages total! -- it says the Bride "is joined by her Father, Mr Thomas Markle, to the High Altar.

We broke the story ... Thomas is unable to make the trip to the U.K. for the wedding because he's recovering from heart surgery. Prince Charles is stepping in his place to do the honors ... which will be a surprise to those going strictly off the program.

FYI, the Order of Service includes full details about the processions, music, hymns, prayers and readings ... and some incidental fake news about Meghan's dad.

Meghan Markle and her mother looked incredibly happy and every bit as stunning ... which should come as no surprise with the Royal wedding just a mere hours away.

Meghan and her mom, Doria Ragland, arrived at the Cliveden House Hotel on the National Trust's Cliveden Estate in Buckinghamshire to spend the night before Meghan weds Prince Harry.

The historic event hasn't come without some hiccups, and that's putting it lightly. As TMZ first reported ... Meghan's father, Thomas, wanted to walk Meghan down the aisle but had to back out because of his heart condition.

Doria was expected to walk Meghan, but Prince Charles took the honors ... at Meghan's request.

As we first reported ... Thomas gave his blessing.

Meghan Markle's father had a talk with his daughter Meghan and Prince Harry Thursday and tells us his daughter has his blessing on Prince Charles walking her down the aisle.

Thomas Markle tells TMZ he's "honored and grateful" Charles will give his daughter away, since he can't be there because of his heart condition.

Thomas told us he has no reservations or shock regarding Meghan's choice. Lots of people thought Meghan's mom would do the honors, but Thomas is down with her choice.

Thomas says Meghan was super sweet on the phone, telling him she loved him and worrying about his health. He reassured her he's recovering and doing okay, adding he will "proudly" watch her tie the knot Saturday on TV "in a secluded place with friends, hopefully with no press."

The Royal wedding's got women AND men of all ages -- and all over the U.K. -- dolled up and ready to celebrate the historic event.

With Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's nuptials less than 24 hours away, fans wasted no time getting in the spirit by throwing on their best red, white and blue -- Union Jack and Old Glory -- to honor the couple.

Seriously, they're head-to-toe in this stuff, and you gotta see it! Imagine what's gonna happen tomorrow.

Think of it as 'last call' for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry -- the couple's left their London home for the final time as unhitched peeps.

The betrothed duo was all smiles Friday as they pulled out of Kensington Palace, where they live, making the chauffeur-driven one-hour ride out to Windsor ... where the royal wedding will go down tomorrow.

They headed out shortly after the Palace's 11th hour shocker-- that Prince Charles will walk her down the aisle.

If they're at all superstitious this will be the last few hours Harry and Meghan will see each other before the big day. If they've got any jitters, they're hiding 'em well.

Well, this is a twist ... Meghan Markle's mom will not walk her down the aisle and give her away Saturday ... instead Meghan's gone the royal route.

Kensington Palace just announced Prince Charles, Harry's dad, will do the honors. The Palace says, "Ms. Meghan Markle has asked His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to accompany her down the aisle of the Quire of St. George's Chapel on her Wedding Day."

The statement goes on ... "The Prince of Wales is pleased to be able to welcome Ms. Markle to The Royal Family in this way."

TMZ broke the story ... Meghan's dad, Thomas, wanted to do the honors but couldn't fly to England because of heart surgery. Meghan's mom, who is in England for the wedding and her only immediate family member invited, was expected to walk the walk but, clearly, there were other plans.

The Palace made it clear in the statement ... it was Meghan's decision.

The cholesterol level among the Royals is about to rise, because Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wedding cake is filled with eggs -- 500 of them!

California baker Claire Ptak is hard at work finishing up the staple for any wedding ... this cake contains 200 Amalfi lemons, and 10 bottles of elderflower cordial.

The 3 layers are each different sizes ... unusual, says the baker. She calls her creation an 'ethereal layered lemon and elderflower cake.' It's actually a sponge cake of sorts ... the sponge is sandwiched with lemon curd and swiss meringue buttercream.

The cake will be served at Windsor Castle, where roughly 600 guests will chow down.

Meghan Markle's going to have her half sister with her as she marries Prince Harry -- at least in spirit ... 'cause she'll be watching from home, with security standing guard.

Samantha Markle tells TMZ she's hosting a viewing party to watch the Royal Wedding Saturday at her Florida home with her boyfriend and some friends. It'd be nice if more fam could be there, but as we've reported ... a lot of them are already in England.

We're told Samantha and co. are planning on dressing up in formal wear -- she'll be rockin' a nice dress and a vintage art deco hat, and plans on decorating too. She says it'll be bittersweet to watch Meghan walk down the aisle, 'cause she still loves her.

Here's the kicker ... Samantha says she and her camp will be hiring off-duty police officers to patrol her home during the ceremony, so creepers don't roll up onto her crib and disrupt the festivities. Can't blame her ... Samantha's been making waves in the media lately.

Meghan Markle confirmed what TMZ reported Wednesday ... that her dad won't -- indeed can't -- walk her down the aisle Saturday when she marries Prince Harry.

Kensington Palace just issued a statement from Meghan, which reads, "Sadly, my father will not be attending our wedding. I have always cared for my father and hope he can be given the space he needs to focus on his health."

TMZ broke the story ... Thomas Markle is laid up in the hospital after undergoing serious heart surgery Wednesday, and won't be discharged in time for the nuptials. Fact is, he couldn't go even if he was out of the hospital because of his health.

Thomas had a serious heart attack a little more than a week ago, and on Wednesday doctors went in to clean up some of the plaque and insert 3 stents. Thomas was told by doctors he had to avoid getting excited.

As we reported, Thomas believes his heart attack was triggered by his son's vicious attack against Harry and Meghan.

It's all but certain Meghan's mom will walk her down the aisle on Saturday.

Elton John will take the stage at the royal wedding ... a fitting choice given the singer's history with Prince Harry, Princess Diana and the Royal Family.

Sources close to Elton tell TMZ the singer is set to perform during Saturday's event ... it's still unclear whether he'll get behind his piano at the church ceremony or at the reception later in the night.

Elton's been tight with the Royal Family for years ... he was an extremely close friend of Princess Diana. The two worked together to raise money for AIDS research and awareness of the disease.

The singer was also a tremendous source of support for Prince Harry and Prince William when Diana died in 1997. Elton famously performed "Candle in the Wind" as a tribute for Diana at her funeral.

Elton had originally booked shows in Vegas for this weekend, but they were rescheduled months ago due to a "scheduling conflict" ... guess now we know the conflict.

3:05 PM PT -- Thomas says, "I'm ok. It will take a long time to heal. Staying in the hospital a few more days. Not allowed to get excited."

Meghan Markle's dad, Thomas, appears to have successfully undergone heart surgery ... TMZ has learned.

We spoke with Thomas a few minutes ago and he seemed alert and coherent, telling us doctors implanted stents in his blood vessels ... he said he believes surgeons implanted 3 stents, but he wasn't sure.

He was scheduled to go into the OR at 7:30 AM.

As we reported, the surgery was necessary after Thomas experienced significant damage to his heart ... the result of a heart attack 8 days ago. Thomas told us Tuesday, "They [doctors] will go in and clear blockage, repair damage and put a stent where it is needed."

Thomas told TMZ Tuesday ... he had a change of heart and wanted to walk Meghan down the aisle, but realized it was not going to happen because of the surgery.