If your invite for the royal wedding of Prince Harry Windsor and Princess Meghan Markle has mysteriously failed to turn up in the post, there's good news for you: Sky will be exclusively broadcasting the day's celebrations in 4K Ultra HD via Sky Q. Hoorah!
There's increasing hope that the World Cup will be in 4K, with England sure to sail to victory in Russia. UHD has four times the detail of standard HD, so that will be four times as triumphant.
The scene could be set for that certain victory on Saturday May 19, when Sky News and Sky One broadcast the nuptials of her regal highness Princess Markle of Suits off of the Telly, to the flame-haired hunk who is sixth in line to the throne of Great Britain: Prince Henry of Wales, more commonly known as Prince Harry.
Sky is the only broadcaster in the world to get the Ultra HD scoop, but you will need Sky Q as – for obvious reasons – Sky HD won't cut it. As the footage reels before your eyes in lustrous UHD, at a resolution of 3840x2160 pixels, you'll be able to, as Sky puts it, "enjoy the finery and grandeur as never seen before."
Hopefully the broadcast will also be in HDR for greater brightness and contrast. HDR is rolling out on Sky 4K but there is no confirmation as yet that it will be used for the royal wedding.
"Enjoy the finery and grandeur as never seen before," Sky says.
What certainly will be ready for the event is a new and unique feature on the Sky News app. This will use "world-first software" to name key wedding guests as they arrive, and let you know their connection to the Royal couple via "on-screen graphics and captions."
John Ryley, Head of Sky News was barely able to contain himself: “Sky News is incredibly excited to be the first and only broadcaster to televise a Royal Wedding in UHD and to offer those watching the ceremony across the country expert analysis, innovative technology and bespoke coverage on mobile.”
The broadcast is no small undertaking, and will involve 110 cameras, 27km of cable, 160 technical staff and 10 satellite uplinks.
The wedding is available in 4K to Sky customers with a Sky Q 2TB box, a Sky Q Multiscreen subscription and a 4K Ultra HD TV. Coverage kicks off at 9am on Saturday May 19.
- Photo by Anwar Hussein/Getty Images