British classics on menu for guests at Harry and Meghan's wedding

Harry and Meghan's wedding guests will be served classic dishes made from seasonal UK produce, mostly from the Queen's estates.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding reception guests menu
Image: The team have sourced produce from the Home Counties and lands associated with the Queen
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Sky News has been invited inside the royal kitchens at Windsor Castle to see how staff are preparing to make the reception meal and canapés for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's 600 guests in five days' time.

Royal chef Mark Flanagan, who is leading the team of 30 chefs and assistants, says the royal couple have been very hands on when choosing the wedding reception menu.

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding reception menu
Image: Staff are starting the preparations for the big day

He said: "They were all their decisions, we purely made suggestions and they've tasted everything, they've been involved in every detail.

"They wanted us to use local produce, we've used all of the local seasonal produce as much as possible throughout their menu. The recent good weather has really helped us to achieve that."

While the actual menu remains top secret, it is understood the guests will be served classic dishes made from seasonal British produce.

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Windsor ready for Meghan and Harry's big day

Vegetables like asparagus, peas and tomatoes are in season and most of the ingredients have been sourced from the Home Counties and lands associated with the Queen, like Windsor.

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He said: "We are using produce off Her Majesty's estates and that features very much. We've really just been trying to let the ingredients stand proud within the dishes. There's no experimentation on Saturday whatsoever, tried and tested - and predominantly classics."

The kitchens at Windsor Castle date from the reign of the 14th century monarch Edward III and are believed to be the oldest working kitchens in the country, having served more than 30 monarchs, including the Queen.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding reception guests will be served
classic dishes made from seasonal British produce - much from the Queen's own
estates
Image: Royal pastry chef Selwyn Stoby says being involved is 'very special and exciting'

Royal pastry chef Selwyn Stoby has been preparing milk chocolate truffles with a milk and kirsch centre, a typical item that is created for receptions and private parties.

"You don't get too many opportunities in your lifetime to do a royal wedding so this is very, very special," he said. "The care, the attention and the details to everything, it really is very exciting."

It is no surprise that Meghan in particular has taken a significant interest in the food preparation. As a known foodie her Instagram site and blog The Tig, named after her favourite wine Tignanello, both often featured articles, reviews or pictures of food. Both sites have been shut down since she started dating and became engaged to Prince Harry.

Harry and Meghan will marry at Windsor Castle's St George's Chapel on Saturday, and after their carriage rides through the streets of Windsor, they will join their wedding guests for the St George's Hall reception, hosted by the Queen.

Later in the evening, a wedding dinner hosted by the Prince of Wales will be held at Frogmore House with different caterers responsible for the private event for 200 guests.

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The Royal Family are also getting ready to entertain some very special guests this week.

Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, is flying in from America ahead of the wedding - but her father is no longer expected to attend. Ms Ragland is set to meet the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, and Prince William.

:: Sky News is live in Windsor all this week bringing you all the build up to the big day, with exclusive live coverage of the wedding in UHD in a special programme ‪from 9am to 3pm on Sky News and Sky One ‪on Saturday 19 May.