The royal family has thanked everyone who traveled to Windsor for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle - the Duke and Duchess of Sussex - and congratulated the newlyweds following their union on Saturday.

Tens of thousands lined the streets of the market town to the west of London to celebrate the nuptials. Many managed to get a glimpse of the couple as they made their way around Windsor town center and along the iconic Long Walk during the carriage procession after the ceremony.

In a Twitter message, the royal family also thanked those who followed the wedding from the UK, the Commonwealth, and around the world.

Two hundred of the couple's closest family and friends went on to celebrate the occasion at an evening black-tie reception hosted by Prince Charles at Frogmore House, which is near Windsor Castle.

The bride changed into a white Stella McCartney halter-neck silk crepe gown for the private reception.

Earlier, in what was described as a moving ceremony, Prince Harry could be seen telling Markle, "You look amazing," when he first saw her after she walked down the aisle at St Georges's Chapel, which is in the grounds of Windsor Castle. 

Markle's wedding dress was kept under wraps until she emerged from her car upon arrival at the chapel.

She wore a white boat-neck dress by British designer Clare Waight Keller, who is artistic director at the French fashion house Givenchy.

The bride also had on a diamond bandeau tiara, which was loaned to her by the queen and which was originally worn by Prince Harry's great-great-grandmother, Queen Mary.

Her five-meter silk veil was embroidered with flowers representing each country in the commonwealth.