PBS has announced "Royal Wedding Watch," a five-part series of special programs leading up to the live broadcast of the royal wedding of Prince Henry of Wales and American Rachel Meghan Markle Saturday, May 19, beginning at 7 a.m. ET on WNED-TV.
WNED-TV, Western New York and Southern Ontario's PBS station, will present a special series on the wedding: Monday to Thursday, May 14-17 (10 p.m. ET), and Friday, May 18 (10:30 p.m.). At 9 p.m. Friday, WNED-TV will air the Windsor Castle episode of BBC Studios' "The Queen's Palaces," which includes a tour of St. George's Chapel where the ceremony will take place.
Produced by BBC Studios' topical and live unit and coming nightly from London, "Royal Wedding Watch" will be hosted by American news anchor Meredith Vieira and British television presenter Matt Baker, who will update viewers on the preparations for the much-anticipated wedding of Prince Harry and Markle.
During the week prior to the ceremony, which will occur in St. George's Chapel at Windsor, the hosts will be joined in-studio by experts, commentators and special guests. BBC presenter and host Anita Rani will report live from Windsor each night, and English historian Lucy Worsley, joint chief curator at Historic Royal Palaces, will delve into the pageantry, pomp and protocol surrounding Harry and Meghan's nuptials.
"Americans find the British royals incredibly fascinating, and 'Royal Wedding Watch' is the ultimate backgrounder leading up to this historic moment when our American beauty marries her prince," Vieira said.
"Royal Wedding Watch" will also showcase Britain's rich royal heritage and illuminate how history and tradition will influence the union of this modern couple.
"From cakes to choristers, banquets to bouquets, gowns to crowns, viewers will get a fun and informative insider's briefing on royal etiquette, an unprecedented look at the elaborate planning, secrecy and care that goes into this royal wedding that has captured the imagination of people around the world," said Shawn Halford, PBS' senior director, programming.
Lisa Ausden, creative director, BBC Studios' topical and live unit, added: "BBC Studios is thrilled to be working with PBS in this unique collaboration, giving U.S. viewers a front-row seat in the build-up to the big day. We'll capture all the excitement as Windsor becomes the focus of the world, and we'll have unrivaled expertise in our central London studio to discuss the history and tradition of royal weddings, plus, of course, the romance which brought the Prince and his American bride together."
