Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have already shown they won't be following royal protocol when it comes to their wedding. Since it was announced that American-born Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were engaged, the couple have expressed their love in ways authentic to them - which isn't necessarily how it's done in the royal family.

And now, with the royal wedding just days away, the bride and groom have proved multiple times they will be taking a non-traditional route with their relationship and their wedding - from the cake to the location. […]

When Prince Harry and American actress Meghan Markle announced their engagement on Monday, the UK's souvenir firms sped into action. Royals are big business for the UK, and one analyst expects this year's wedding will amount to £60m in additional sales.

“The design team have been working very hard,” said Pamela Harper, chair and chief executive of London-based Halcyon Days, which will release commemorative china products once the date has been set. Kensington Palace has said the wedding will be in May 2018, but the exact date hasn't been announced. […] Halcyon Days had been developing ideas for products, discussing colours and designs.

The extraordinary scenes on Saturday as the Queen welcomed an American actor into her family cloaked an uncomfortable reality. Despite the apparent public appreciation of the pomp and pageantry, the monarchy's hold on its position is nothing like as stable as the hysteria might suggest.

Nor should the 230 pages of coverage of the event in Sunday's national newspapers blind us to the fact that the days of newsprint are numbered too. […] we need to remove the blinkers to view it for what it is: a turning point in Britain's history. In truth, two institutions, monarchy and the press, are walking hand in hand towards their doom after 400 years of interdependence.