Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Wedding Date Revealed; Couple Praised for 'Commitment to Faith' by Archbishop of Canterbury

Dec 15, 2017 09:25 AM EST

Britain's Prince Harry his fiance, Meghan Markle will marry on May 19, 2018 in the historic St George's Chapel, Kensington Palace announced Friday.

"His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales and Ms. Meghan Markle will marry on 19th May 2018," the palace announced on Twitter. "Today's announcement follows earlier confirmation of the month of the wedding and its location at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle."

According to Kensington Palace, Meghan will be baptized into the Church of England before her wedding. The move is a significant nod to Harry's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth's role as head of the Church of England.

Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, refused to reveal whether he would officiate at the royal wedding, but said their decision to marry in the the 15th-century chapel was based on a commitment to faith.

"I am very, very sure after conversations that this is no tick-box exercise," he told the BBC's Today program which was broadcast from Lambeth Palace on Thursday.

"There is a profound sense of commitment, of seriousness, both about faith and their lives together, which is quite inspirational," he said. "It's important because people look at it and see a model of how two people commit their lives to one another before God in the presence of millions of people. It's always a beautiful moment, every wedding is profoundly beautiful. Even when you drop the rings it's still a very moving wedding."

Welby revealed he was looking forward to the big event, saying it would be "fun."

The couple, who announced their engagement in November, will live in Nottingham Cottage in the grounds of London's Kensington Palace, the official residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Harry and Markle first met on a blind date in July 2016, and the prince proposed on a "cozy night" in early November at Nottingham Cottage.

"It was so sweet and natural and very romantic. He got down on one knee," she said. "As a matter of fact, I could barely let you finish proposing. I said, 'Can I say yes now?'"

The engagement ring, designed by Prince Harry, features a diamond from Botswana accompanied by two smaller diamonds from Diana's jewelry collection.

Meanwhile, since dating Prince Harry, Markle became the most-searched for woman on Google for the second year in a row. The site released its Year in Search 2017 data to show what was trending globally and Markle landed second on the People category after disgraced NBC host Matt Lauer.

Markle, an actress on the show "Suits," is an advocate for UN Women, the United Nations office for gender equality and the empowerment of women, and a global ambassador for World Vision Canada, a Christian humanitarian organization. 

The fifth in line to the U.K.'s throne, Harry is also known for his charitable activities, including his "Heads Together" campaign promoting mental health, for which he has appeared alongside Prince William and Princess Kate.