There is plenty of expectation about what could be the biggest event on TV this year. The NRL and AFL Grand Finals will be in the running, as are the grand finals of the reality shows The Block, My Kitchen Rules, MasterChef Australia and Australian Ninja Warrior.
However, there is a forthcoming event that will be telecast to a massive audience across Australia that will be right up there in terms of audience – a Royal wedding.
This week UKTV announced it will be carrying the BBC’s live, uninterrupted coverage of the Royal wedding of HRH Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The couple will exchange vows at 9pm (AEST) Saturday May 19 at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle with The Archbishop of Canterbury to officiate as the couple make their marriage vows. Following the service, a Carriage Procession will commence at 10pm (AEST) from St George’s Chapel through Windsor Town returning to Windsor Castle via the Long Walk. UKTV will show the BBC’s main Royal wedding program of the marriage itself and the Carriage Procession, with live coverage before and after.
In the run-up to the Royal wedding, UKTV will also be showing a collection of royal documentaries including: Britain’s Royal Weddings (Wednesday May 16 & Thursday May 17 at 8.30pm) – the intimate story of Britain’s royal weddings, from the Queen Mother through to Princess Margaret, told from the point of view of the people who were there.
There will also be documentaries about Princes Harry and William on the eve of the wedding, Friday May 18.
Tim Christlieb, director of branded services, BBC Studios, Australia and New Zealand, said: “No-one does a Royal wedding quite like the Brits. People will be lining the streets and tuning in all around the world to celebrate and as the Australian home of great British events, UKTV will be right there with the very best, uninterrupted, extended coverage direct from the BBC. This is an iconic, global event and we intend to enjoy every moment of it.”