How to watch Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal wedding

Announcement Of Prince Harry's Engagement To Meghan Markle
Getty Images | Chris Jackson

Prince Harry’s upcoming wedding to American actress Meghan Markle, on Saturday, May 19, has had fans of Britain’s royal family on both sides of the pond buzzing since the couple announced their engagement in November.

Well, their big day is almost here, and unless you were one of the lucky few to receive a bespoke invitation in the mail, you are probably wondering how to enjoy the event from the comfort of your own home.

The first thing to know is that the service will take place at 12 p.m. local time at St. James Chapel at Windsor Castle. The United Kingdom is five hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time, so it will begin at 7 a.m. EST.

However, if you want to watch the arrivals of the bride, groom and their respective family members to the castle before the service begins, you’ll need to get up pretty darn early for a Saturday morning. (Or set your DVR!)

meghan markle prince harry photo
Getty Images | Chris Jackson

That said, here are your options on how to watch (Note: all times listed below are EST):

Streaming

If you are planning to tune in from your phone or computer, you’ll be able to stream the wedding from a variety of sources, including news outlets like CNN and via the royal family’s own, verified YouTube account.

CNN’s stream will start at 5 a.m., and the royal’s YouTube stream will go live at 6 a.m. — one hour before the ceremony begins at 7 a.m.

Most of the other news outlets listed below will likely have streaming available via their mobile platforms, in addition to their TV coverage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N42MQJX4KoY

PBS/BBC

Coverage start time: 4:15 a.m.

PBS will begin airing live coverage from the BBC beginning at 4:15 a.m. (Hey, we warned you it was early!)

You can also enjoy a five-episode limited series about Harry and Markle’s relationship, airing one installment each night from May 14 to 18.  Anchor Meredith Vieira, BBC One co-hosts Matt Baker and Anita Rani, and historian Dr. Lucy Worsley, chief curator at the Historic Royal Palaces, will guide viewers through wedding traditions, previous dresses by royal brides and other fun stuff!

ABC

Coverage start time: 5 a.m.

ABC’s “Good Morning America” co-host Robin Roberts and “World News Tonight” anchor David Muir’s coverage of the big day will begin at 5 a.m. and run until 10 a.m. on May 19. You can watch live on ABC or streaming on ABCnews.com, GoodMorningAmerica.com and on ABC’s apps.

robin roberts david muir photo
Getty Images | Slaven Vlasic

NBC

Coverage start time: 4:30 a.m.

NBC’s “Today” show will be all over the royal wedding like white on rice. (Yes, that was a wedding pun.) Co-hosts Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie will be live from Windsor for the festivities, “from a special vantage point overseeing the castle,” beginning at 4:30 a.m. You can also catch Kotb and Guthrie from Windsor on May 18 for a special show before the big day.

savannah guthrie hoda kotb photo
Getty Images | Theo Wargo

CBS

Coverage start time: 4 a.m.

CBS will begin its royal wedding coverage at 4 a.m. on May 19 with “CBS This Morning” co-host Gayle King, and “Entertainment Tonight” co-host Kevin Frazier. Also expect commentary from Tina Brown, CBS News’ royal contributor and author of the 2008 book “The Diana Chronicles” about the late Princess Diana.

gayle king horizontal photo
Getty Images | Dia Dipasupil

FOX

Coverage start time: 5 a.m.

“Fox and Friends” co-host Ainsley Earhardt will begin hosting Fox’s coverage at 5 a.m. Additionally, British TV host Piers Morgan will participate in a two-hour special called “Meghan Markle: An American Princess” on May 11 at 8 p.m. on Fox.

ainsley earhardt horizontal photo
Getty Images | Rob Kim

E!

Coverage start time: 5 a.m.

If cable is more your speed, E! will air the royal wedding live from Windsor Castle from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. on May 19. The network’s coverage will be co-hosted by Giuliana Rancic, stylist Brad Goreski, E! UK host Sarah-Jane Crawford and E! News correspondent Melanie Bromley.

But you can begin your royal wedding indulgence now by watching reruns of E!’s special “The Real Princess Diaries: From Diana To Meghan,” which began airing on May 7. The special explores the paths of Princess Diana, the Duchess of Cambridge and now Markle, from regular girls (well, sort of), to royal brides. Check local listings for reruns.

giuliana rancic photo
Getty Images | Jeff Schear

BritBox

Coverage start time: 5:30 a.m.

BritBox is a new streaming service which offers British TV shows from channels like BBC and ITV. On the morning of the royal wedding, BritBox will livestream the coverage beginning at 5:30 a.m. EST. It costs $6.99 per month to join, which includes a free seven-day trial. So come for the royal wedding, stay for episodes of “Doctor Who” and “Antiques Roadshow”!

Also on May 19, BritBox and Fathom Events will air screenings of the wedding at movie theaters around the country at 10 a.m. local time. Check the Fathom Events website to search by zip code for a screening near you!

Bonus: Decca Records/Universal Music Group Recording

If Prince Harry’s wedding is an occasion you may find yourself wanting to listen to again and again, consider purchasing a recording of it from Decca Records. (A portion of the proceeds will go towards the prince’s charities.) In addition to hearing the couple’s “I do’s,” you’ll be able to listen to the wedding performers, including Welsh soprano Elin Manahan Wallace and cellist Sheku Kanneh Mason.

The recording will be released digitally within hours of the wedding’s conclusion and in retail stores on May 25, according to a spokesperson for the company.

harry markle photo
Getty Images | WPA Pool

Will you be up early watching the royal wedding on May 19?

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will honor Princess Diana’s memory at the ceremony. See more here:

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