Harry and Meghan become Duke and Duchess of Sussex as wedding day arrives

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex it has been announced as the prince prepares to marry his American bride in a glittering ceremony watched around the world by millions.

The Queen’s grandson, who is sixth in line to the throne, will pledge to love, comfort, honour and protect the former actress as they become husband and wife in the historic surrounds of St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.

Harry also received Scottish and Northern Irish titles, becoming the Earl of of Dumbarton and Baron Kilkeel, which means Meghan will become the Countess of Dumbarton and Baroness Kilkeel.

Passengers on the first train out of London Waterloo to Windsor included four women who work as cabin crew for a Canadian airline who said they wanted to be “part of history”.

Weather forecasters are expecting wall-to-wall sunshine, meaning the newlywed couple will be able to ride through Windsor town centre in the open top Ascot landau for their carriage procession.

Meghan will emerge from the hour-long televised ceremony, which begins at noon, as an HRH and a member of the British royal family after saying her vows.

On Friday evening, a relaxed-looking Harry said he felt “great” as he greeted well-wishers in a surprise walkabout with best man the Duke of Cambridge outside Windsor Castle.

Meanwhile 15 miles away, Meghan gave a radiant smile and said she was feeling “wonderful” as she arrived with her mother Doria Ragland at the luxury Cliveden House Hotel in Taplow, Berkshire.

Around 30 members of the royal family including the Queen and the 96-year-old Duke of Edinburgh, who is well enough to attend after undergoing a recent hip operation, will gather in the 600-strong congregation.

“There’s profound affection between them which is wonderful and a deep understanding and mutual support,” he said.

“You see in the way they respond to each other, caring for each other, which is something you see in many couples but not always.”

The moving, soul classic Stand By Me by Ben E King will be performed by Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir, with the gospel singers also delivering Etta James’ uplifting version of Amen/This Little Light of Mine – a favourite in African-American churches.

The presiding bishop of the American Episcopal Church Bishop, Michael Curry will give the address.

The Prince of Wales will take on the role of the absent father of the bride Thomas Markle, and walk his future daughter-in-law through the Quire up the altar to meet her groom.

There will be sadness amid the joy for Meghan with her father missing her big day.

The reclusive former TV lighting director will be thousands of miles away in Mexico after pulling out of attending on medical advice with just two days to go after undergoing heart surgery.

Harry too will be thinking of his late mother Diana, Princess of Wales, who died in car crash when he was 12.

He has invited her three siblings, Earl Spencer, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes, as a way of honouring her.

Lady Jane is giving a reading.

Meghan will leave her country hotel with her mother to be driven to Windsor Castle, giving the first glimpse of the bride in her wedding gown.

William, whose children Prince George and Princess Charlotte will be among the young helpers, will be supporting his younger brother Harry at the altar.

The Duchess of Cambridge will be there, making her first public appearance since giving birth to her third child Prince Louis less than four weeks ago.

Meghan, who found fame played Rachel Zane in the US legal drama Suits, is the first mixed race person in modern history to marry a senior British royal.

Harry, 33, and 36-year-old Meghan became engaged following a whirlwind 16-month romance after going on a blind date in London.

She wed first husband film producer Trevor Engelson in 2011 but the pair divorced less than two years later.

The last time a senior royal wanted to marry an American divorcee, it sparked a constitutional crisis and rocked the British monarchy to the core.

King Edward VIII, Prince Harry’s great-great-uncle, abdicated over his love for American divorcee Wallis Simpson in 1936.