Meghan Markle Attends Pippa Middleton’s Wedding Reception as Prince Harry’s Date

Prince Harry took a royal step forward in his relationship with girlfriend Meghan Markle by bringing her along as his date to Pippa Middleton and James Matthews’ wedding reception on Saturday, May 20.

Although Markle, 35, was not among the one-hundred guests who attended the high society nuptials at St Mark’s Church in Englefield, Berkshire, she joined Harry, 32, for the more relaxed post-wedding celebration, according to People.

The publication explained that there were several hours between the morning ceremony and the evening reception, giving Harry ample time to make the hour and a half jaunt to London to pick up his date.

Guests were invited to slip into something more comfortable for the party, which took place at Carole and Michael Middleston‘s 16-acre estate. E News reports that the men were even offered white shirts to replace their ceremony garb.

After parking their cars at Bucklebury Village Hall, the bride and groom’s 300 guests were asked for identification and a special, guest-specific password assigned months before the big day. The crowd then congregated inside a glass palace built for the occasion.

Guests enjoyed an acrobatic aerial performance by a Supermarine Spitfire–an aircraft used by the Royal Air Force and allies during WWII. According to the publication, the evening festivities were behind schedule. Speeches began around 9:30 p.m., and the first dance didn’t take place until after 10 p.m.

A lack of punctuality, however, didn’t derail the fun-filled festivities. During brother-of-the-groom, British reality star Spencer Matthews‘ speech, party-goers joined in a cheeky Beatles sing-a-long.

This isn’t the first time Markle has accompanied Harry to a wedding. In March, the lovebirds attended a Jamaican ceremony for one of the prince’s childhood friends.

Harry has been dating the Suits actress since last year. In November, Kensington Palace confirmed the relationship.