Meghan Markle Celebrates 8th Wedding Anniversary with Prince Harry by Sharing Previously Unseen Photos of Their Big Day

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are celebrating eight years of marriage.

The Duchess of Sussex, 44, celebrated the milestone by sharing severaly previously unseen pictures from behind the scenes of their big day on May 19, 2018.

In two Instagram posts — one from the daytime ceremony and reception, including Elton John entertaining guests at the piano, and another from the evening celebration — Meghan wrote a simple tribute: “Eight years ago today…”

The daytime post begins with pictures of the couple sharing quiet moments in the cloisters of St. George’s Chapel in Windsor, where they exchanged vows. In one photos, Harry admires Meghan’s wedding bouquet.

Many of the images were shown in black and white, adding to the intimate feel — including one of Elton John at the piano entertaining guests. A guest told PEOPLE at the time that one of the hits he played during the reception was “Tiny Dancer.”

Meghan also shared a candid shot of the couple during the taking of their official wedding portraits, along with photos of Harry delivering a speech at the couple’s reception in St. George’s Hall at Windsor Castle.

The second Instagram post featured images of the couple dancing at their evening reception at Frogmore House, alongside an Instagram Stories montage set to “Land of 1000 Dances” by Wilson Pickett — the song the couple chose for their first dance.

Meghan revealed in their 2022 Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, that she intentionally wanted their first dance to be fun and upbeat. She recalled the moment as being “just spinning like a whirlwind,” and said it was a blast.

Before relocating to California after stepping back from royal duties, Harry and Meghan lived at nearby Frogmore Cottage while based in Windsor.

Meghan and Harry tied the knot in a star-studded royal ceremony on May 19, 2018. Unlike his older brother, Prince William and his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, Harry did not get married at Westminster Abbey in London. Instead, he and Meghan opted to have their ceremony in the grand chapel that sits on the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Meghan wore a gown designed by Givenchy artistic director Clare Waight Keller and reportedly inspired by Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. It featured six delicately placed seams that flowed into a 9-foot-long train. Three-quarter-length sleeves and an open bateau neckline served as the dress’s focal point, and Meghan paired it with matching shoes Waight Keller made from silk duchess satin.

Meghan’s Queen Mary Diamond Bandeau tiara served as her “something old” and “something borrowed,” while her “something blue” was a piece of fabric from her very first date with Prince Harry stitched into her 16-foot-long veil.

Harry, meanwhile, wore a military dress uniform, selecting the Blues and Royals frock coat with permission from the Queen. “I think it’s one of the smartest household cavalry uniforms,” he explained in a royal wedding exhibit that was later presented at Windsor. “It’s one of my favorites, and I was very fortunate to be able to wear that on the day.”

In addition to the members of the royal family — Harry’s nephew and niece, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, served as a pageboy and bridesmaid — the star-studded guest list also included plenty of American A-listers. The bride’s pals Serena Williams and Priyanka Chopra showed up for the ceremony, as did her Suits costars Abigail Spencer, Gabriel Macht and Patrick J. Adams (with his wife, Troian Bellisario).

Celebrity couples including George and Amal Clooney, Carey Mulligan and Marcus Mumford and Victoria and David Beckham were also in attendance. Idris Elba served as the couple’s DJ and Elton John performed at their daytime luncheon. Oprah Winfrey was also among the guests.

Spring is full of milestones for the Sussex family. Not only do Harry and Meghan mark their anniversary, but both of their children celebrate their birthdays: Prince Archie on May 6 and Princess Lilibet on June 4.

Meghan celebrated Archie’s birthday earlier this month with an Instagram tribute to her “sweet boy,” but the real birthday fun came with a family trip to Disneyland in honor of Archie turning 7 and Lili turning 5 next month.

Joined by Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, the family enjoyed a boat ride, a Star Wars adventure and more, as the duchess shared in some candid snaps from their fun day out.

“They were celebrating the kids’ birthdays together. The kids did lots of rides, and it was a special way to extend Mother’s Day for Meghan and her mom,” a source told PEOPLE.