Breaking social, cultural and racial barriers: what does the royal wedding mean to a modern Australia?
SBS cordially invites you to celebrate the matrimony of His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales and Ms Rachel Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle in England, live on Saturday 19 May from 7:30pm AEST on SBS and SBS On Demand.
Fresh from their Eurovision trip, Myf Warhurst and Joel Creasey will team up with legendary journalist Ray Martin to present live coverage of the event and explore what the royal wedding means for a modern Australia.
Marshall Heald, Director of TV and Online Content, SBS, said: “SBS will provide a unique broadcast of what is undoubtedly one of the biggest royal weddings of our era. It will be warm, funny and intelligent, whilst examining issues this wedding raises, including cross-cultural marriages, the republican debate and what these issues mean for Australians.
“We know audiences want more than just commentary of the royal wedding and SBS will provide a place for that conversation. By bringing diverse and prominent Australians together in a live studio before the wedding begins, Royal Wedding LIVE will be an opportunity for us to explore the royal wedding in a unique SBS way which will give audiences a deeper insight.”
Prince Harry and Megan Markle reportedly started dating in 2016 and have been creating headlines ever since. Their relationship has broken social, cultural and racial barriers — busting traditional norms of the British monarchy, and creating worldwide interest and conversation.
Filmed in front of a live studio audience, SBS’s Royal Wedding LIVE will begin at 7:30pm AEST and will include the big event itself. Hosts Myf, Joel and Ray will talk to a diverse line-up of guests to discuss what this wedding means to a modern, multicultural Australia. The panel will speak about a range of topical issues, plus they’ll chat to a royalist and republican about monarchies across other continents and how they all stack up against the British. The trio will also delve into the royal wedding fashion including the bride’s gown and how it compares to other countries’ royal traditions.
With packages from The Feed’s Jan Fran, as well as SBS News European correspondent Ben Lewis reporting live from Windsor, SBS will provide distinctive coverage of this milestone global event that is steeped in tradition. Audiences at home will also be encouraged to have their say with live social television throughout the broadcast using the hashtag #SBSroyalwedding.
Then, at 9pm, the big event will be beamed here from Windsor in the UK.
Myf Warhurst said: “Everyone loves a wedding and this one comes with a bonus - it’s an historic cultural moment! Harry and Meghan are walking in the footsteps of Princess Diana who not only pushed social and cultural norms, she set the precedent for outsiders marrying into the monarchy. Now we get to celebrate this and herald a new era for the royal family. With added frocks, and champagne. Hurrah!”
Ray Martin said: “Royal events are always spectacular - especially births, deaths and marriages. So along with the pageantry, it’s a perfect time to reflect on what the rich royal traditions mean to us - and our national identity. SBS is the perfect place to do it - with respect and hopefully a bit of joy, even fun.”
Joel Creasey said: “Full disclosure, I’m a huge Harry fan (both Styles and the Prince) and I love that he has casually overlooked traditional norms and followed his heart – someone who happens to be an American Hollywood star. What is more fab than that?”
Royal Wedding LIVE will air live Saturday 19 May from 7:30pm AEST on SBS and SBS On Demand. Coverage of The Royal Wedding will follow at 9pm AEST.
