How all the celebrity guests at the royal wedding know Meghan Markle and Prince Harry
Here's why Tom Hardy, Idris Elba and co were there.
After months and months and MONTHS of anticipation, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle finally tied the knot on Saturday in front of MILLIONS of people, including some pretty huge A-listers, including David Beckham, Elton John, Tom Hardy, George Clooney and many many more. But how did they manage to get themselves an invite? Like, how does Harry know the Clooneys? And have Meghan and Elton met before? So let's take a look at how all the celebrity guests at the wedding know the bride and groom.
Idris Elba and fiancée Sabrina Dhowre
It's believed that Idris and Harry may have first met when he and Harry both attended a memorial service for Nelson Mandela at Westminster Abbey in March 2014.
James Haskell and his fiancée Chloe Madeley
As Harry is an avid rugby fan and patron for the Rugby Football Union, it's no surprise that he and England rugby star James have become friends. James brought his fiancée Chloe Madeley with him to the service.
Tom Hardy and his wife Charlotte Riley
Tom and Harry have been pals since the actor became an ambassador for The Prince's Trust in 2010, which was founded by Prince Charles.
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah is said to have spent a number of hours with Meghan's mother, Doria, in preparation for an interview they're doing together.
James Corden and his wife Julia Carey
James knows Harry because they've reportedly been on numerous boozy nights out in Mayfair together.
*hiccup*
Carey Mulligan and her husband Marcus Mumford
Carey knows Harry through her work for the War Child charity in the Congo. Her older brother has also served in the Army in Iraq and Afghanistan. Her husband Marcus Mumford – lead singer of Mumford and Sons – was probably invited not just as her plus one but due to his support for the One Campaign, which combats AIDS and poverty.
Cressida Bonas
Cressida is Harry's ex. Awkward.
George and Amal Clooney
George and Amal are known for their charity work, so it's no great surprise that they're good friends with Harry and Meghan.
George's charity work focuses on human rights in the developing world. And Amal – a human rights lawyer – introduced Meghan to her hairdresser Miguel Perez, who has styled her hair for many of her public appearances before the wedding.
Serena Williams and her husband Alexis Ohanian
Serena and Meghan have been close since at least 2014, when she nominated the tennis champ to take part in the Ice Bucket Challenge after they met at a charity football match.
David and Victoria Beckham
Becks has worked for the sort of charities Harry is involved in – including Unicef and the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Victoria will have rubbed shoulders with Meghan at fashion events, no doubt.
Pippa Middleton and her husband James Matthews
Pippa is Kate Middleton's sister aka Harry's sister-in-law.
James Blunt and his wife Sofia Wellesley
James is friends with Harry because he was a captain in the Army before he became a famous singer. Like Harry, James supports charity work for veterans.
Joss Stone
Joss knows Harry because she's an ambassador for the Sentebale charity Harry created to help AIDS orphans in Lesotho. She also sang at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations six years ago.
Abigail Spencer and Priyanka Chopra
Abigail stars in Suits alongside Meghan. And Priyanka is one of Meghan's closest friends. They met several years ago at the annual ELLE Women in Television dinner. "We bonded as actors," she said. "We just became friends, like two girls would."
Sarah Rafferty and her husband Santtu Seppälä
Sarah stars alongside Meghan in Suits.
Patrick J Adams and his wife Troian Bellisario
Patrick plays Meghan's husband in Suits. And he just so happens to be married to Pretty Little Liars star Troian IRL.
Rick Hoffman
Rick stars alongside Meghan in Suits.
Gabriel Macht and his wife Jacinda Barrett
Gabriel stars alongside Meghan in Suits.
Gina Torres
Gina stars alongside Meghan in Suits.
Elton John and his husband David Furnish
Sir Elton was incredibly close with Harry's mother Princess Diana.
Olivia Blair is Entertainment Editor (Luxury) at Hearst UK, working across ELLE, Esquire and Harper's Bazaar. Olivia covers all things entertainment and has interviewed the likes of Margot Robbie, Emma Stone, Michaela Coel and Ryan Gosling over the years.
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