What we know: Britain's royal wedding

Prince Harry (left) and Meghan Markle will get married in May 2018

Before he fell for American actress Meghan Markle, Britain's Prince Harry, 33, had several other girlfriends.

Here are some of the women who reportedly had a chance of becoming a princess.

First love, Chelsy Davy

Harry met Davy, the Zimbabwean-born daughter of a millionaire safari operator, in 2004 when he travelled to South Africa after school. She studied in Cape Town, before continuing her post-graduate studies in law in the English city of Leeds.

Blonde and gregarious, she seemed to enjoy partying as much as the young prince. The British tabloids loved them for it, following their every move -- and his various indiscretions -- in way she later admitted was "tough".

They dated on and off for seven years and she attended some major royal events, notably the 2011 wedding of Harry's older brother Prince William, prompting speculation they would marry.

Later that year they broke up for good, although they remain friends and she has reportedly been invited to Harry's wedding to Markle on May 19.

Davy worked for a top law firm before launching her own luxury jewellery firm.

Natalie Pinkham, old friend

The sports presenter, who is eight years older than Harry, was thrust into the limelight when The Sun tabloid published a photograph of him grabbing her breast.

It was apparently taken at a party in 2003, but it was not until three years later that it emerged in public.

The pair are known to be friends but there are rumours, never confirmed, that they had a brief affair.

Florence Brudenell-Bruce, summer fling

Harry reportedly dated aristocratic model Brudenell-Bruce, known to her friends as "Flee", after breaking up with Davy.

A former girlfriend of Formula One champion Jenson Button, who modelled for fashion labels as well as lingerie firms, she was on a break from her relationship with multi-millionaire Henry St George, whom she later married.

Cressida Bonas, the nearly fiancee

Harry dated British dancer and actress Cressida Bonas for almost two years, but their relationship came to an end as she struggled with a life in the spotlight.

They were reportedly introduced by Harry's cousin Princess Eugenie, and were first spotted together in July 2012.

Her mother is Lady Mary-Gaye Curzon, a darling of the London social scene during the 1960s whose late father, Richard Curzon, was an earl.

There was fevered speculation about their future when Harry and Bonas attended an official engagement together, but they broke up shortly afterwards.

She has since declined to talk about their relationship, saying she was focused on her acting. However, she too has reportedly been invited to Harry and Markle's wedding.

What we know: Britain's royal wedding

While some aspects of Britain's upcoming royal wedding are still under wraps, the palace has divulged a few details ahead of the marriage of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle on May 19.

Here's what we know so far:

The venue

The happy couple will wed in Windsor Castle, a royal residence west of London dating back more than 900 years.

The ceremony will take place at midday (1100 GMT) in St George's Chapel, the final resting place of 11 monarchs including Henry VIII and Charles I, which is usually open to the public.

The Dean of Windsor, David Conner, will conduct the wedding service, while the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the Church of England's spiritual leader, will officiate over the marriage vows.

Royal matters

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II had to consent to the wedding, as under British law the monarch must approve the marriage of the six people next in line to the throne in order for them to retain their place.

Harry is currently fifth in line after his father Prince Charles, elder brother Prince William and his sibling's two children, but will be bumped down to sixth place after William's third child is born as expected later this month.

Markle, meanwhile, has been baptised by the Archbishop of Canterbury into the Church of England.

The decision was taken out of respect for Queen Elizabeth's role as the church's supreme governor.

The guest list

Some 600 people have been invited to attend the wedding service and the lunchtime reception at St George's Hall within Windsor Castle.

It is still not known who will be Harry's best man and Markle's maid of honour.

Around 200 guests will go on to an evening reception at Frogmore House, a royal residence south of the castle.

A further 2,640 people will be welcomed into the grounds of Windsor Castle, including charity representatives and military veterans, to watch the arrival of the bride and groom and their carriage procession following the ceremony.

US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May have not been invited. Kensington Palace -- the official residence of Harry and Markle -- said "an official list of political leaders" has been deemed unnecessary for the nuptials.

The public

Police are preparing for 100,000 people to visit Windsor for the occasion, with analysts expecting the royal wedding to boost tourism to Britain.

Visitors to the town can expect to be searched by police, who will install road barriers as part of a massive security operation.

Food stalls, live screens and entertainment will be set up in Windsor, extra rail services will be laid on and 6,000 more car parking spaces opened up. Bunting and ceremonial banners will be hung around the town.

Across the country, the government has allowed pubs to open until 1:00am -- two hours later than usual -- over the wedding weekend. English football's FA Cup final also takes place on the wedding day.

Consultancy firm Brand Finance said the wedding overall could bring more than £1 billion (1.15 billion euros) to the UK economy this year, including £300 million from tourism.

The frills

While the wedding dress remains a closely-guarded secret, the palace has announced the couple's chosen cake and flowers.

A lemon elderflower cake created by pastry chef Claire Ptak, an American based in London, which will be covered with buttercream and decorated with fresh flowers.

Floral designer Philippa Craddock will dress St George's Chapel and St George's Hall, incorporating plants from the wildflower meadows of London and foliage from Windsor Great Park.

White garden roses, peonies and foxgloves will all feature.

The official wedding photographer is Alexi Lubomirski, who photographed the pair for their engagement.

Rather than gifts, the couple have asked for donations to seven charities.