Alexa and Google are ready for the royal wedding


SAN FRANCISCO Alexa has been studying up on the royal wedding. So go ahead, ask the Amazon assistant everything your heart desires aboutthe upcoming marriage of American actressMeghan Markle to Britain’s Prince Harry.

Amazonsartificial intelligence-infused Alexa digital assistantroutinely gears up for blockbuster occasions, which the May 19 union of British and Hollywood royalty promises to be.

Since November, the Amazon group that preps Alexa for news and cultural events has been adding answers and information so that no one gets the dreadedHeres what I found on the Web answer in a response to questions ranging from “Whos going to walk Meghan Markle down the aisle?” to “What time is the royal wedding?”

Google Assistant, with its Google Home rival to Alexa, isn’t far behind when thrown the same types of questions.

In our tests, Apple’s Siridrew blanks on most of them, in terms of reading the answers aloud. If you were willing to hunt its Apple’s links, however, it had more complete answers than Alexa and Google.


More: When is the royal wedding? An hour-by-hour breakdown of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s big day

More: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal wedding: What we know and what we don’t know

More: 9 words you need to know before the royal wedding

More: How Google Assistant, Siri and Amazon Alexa responded to our pesky questions

Queried by several reporters, Alexa was quite up on the future Duchess’s jewelry. Asked about Markles engagement ring, she launches into a description of the ring, which she tells you was designed by Prince Harry himselfand made by Queen Elizabeths preferred jewelers, Cleeve and Company. The central diamond in the ring comes from the personal jewelry collection of Harrys mother, the late Princess Diana.


Alexa doesnt have all the answers.

We asked if Meghan Markle will be a princess after she marries Prince Harry and the answer was, Hmm, Im not sure. Google said “Sorry, I don’t understand,” and Siri said, “I found something on the Web” and provided a link to a U.K. website noting that she will indeed be a duchess.

This will be Alexas first royal wedding. Having only come into existence in 2014, the assistant missed the 2011 nuptials ofPrince William and Kate Middleton. Siri launched six months after that wedding. Google Assistant didn’t hit until 2016.


USA TODAY’s own royal wedding expert, Maria Puente, says the answer is far more complicated. The monarch decides royal titles, based on tradition, personal preference and whether or not a particular title is currently vacant. “If you marry a prince, you are a princess, but if the monarch decides your title is a royal duchess, thats what you will be called officially,” she says.

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Amazon leaned on expertise from its staff in the United Kingdom for some of the more nitty-gritty Anglophile and historical context. The team includes people from Seattle, Cambridge, Mass., and in the U.K.

People started asking Alexa questions about the wedding as soon as it was announced last November, said Bill Barton, vice president of Alexa Information at Amazon.

To gauge what kinds of questions they were likely to get, they looked at the kinds of queries Alexa was already getting about the royalsand what they were asking about other celebritys weddings globally, such as Amal and George Clooney or Amy Schumer and Chris Fischer.


There were a flurry of questions right around the engagement announcement and then a lull, but as the wedding day approaches, the topics starting to ramp up.

For now, the most popular questions on Alexa have beenTell me about the Royal Wedding and When is the Royal Wedding? according to Amazon.Google and Siri both answered those questions correctly as well.

Not surprisingly, Amazon isgetting twice as many Who is Meghan Markle? questions in the U.K. as compared to the U.S., Barton said.

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle commemorated Anzac Day Prince Harry and Meghan Markle commemorated Anzac Day on April 25, 2018. The day highlights the first major military action Australian and New Zealand forces made during WWI.  ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty ImagesFullscreenDays after becoming a father for the third time, Prince Days after becoming a father for the third time, Prince William joined his brother and soon-to-be sister-in-law for services at Westminster Abbey. William greeted her with kisses on both cheeks.  Frank Augstein/APFullscreenThe three sat together during the service of Thanksgiving The three sat together during the service of Thanksgiving and Commemoration.  WPA Pool/Getty ImagesFullscreenEarlier in the day, Markle and her prince attended Earlier in the day, Markle and her prince attended a dawn service in Hyde Park Corner. For the occasion, she wore a gray SMYTHE coat.  WPA Pool/Getty ImagesFullscreenFor both services, Markle donned a red poppy in remembrance For both services, Markle donned a red poppy in remembrance of fallen soldiers.  TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty ImagesFullscreenMeghan Markle wore a v-neck dress by Hugo Boss while Meghan Markle wore a v-neck dress by Hugo Boss while attending a memorial service with her fianc茅 Prince Harry in London on April 23. The memorial commemorated the 25th anniversary of the murder of Stephen Lawrence, a black British teen who was killed in a racially motivated attack.  STR, EPA-EFEFullscreenHere they are during the memorial service, which took Here they are during the memorial service, which took place at St Martin-in-the-Fields church in Trafalgar Square.  DAVID PARKER, AFP/Getty ImagesFullscreenMeghan Markle and Prince Harry arrived at the Queen's Meghan Markle and Prince Harry arrived at the Queen’s birthday concert on April 21 wearing matching blue. Markle opted for a navy blue cape dress by Stella McCartney with matching navy suede pumps by Manolo Blahnik and a charming golden clutch by Naeem Khan.  JOHN STILLWELL, AFP/Getty ImagesFullscreenHere they are at their seats in the Royal box in the Here they are at their seats in the Royal box in the Royal Albert Hall in London.  JOHN STILLWELL, AFP/Getty ImagesFullscreenMarkle looked ready for spring in a green floral dress Markle looked ready for spring in a green floral dress by Self Portrait while attending an Invictus Games reception with her fianc茅 in London on April 21.  Alastair Grant, APFullscreenDuring the reception, she and her future hubby spoke During the reception, she and her future hubby spoke with guests and received Invictus Games jackets from Prime Minister of Australia Malcolm Turnbull and his wife Lucy Turnbull.  Alastair Grant, APFullscreenMeghan Markle and Prince Harry attended a women's empowerment Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attended a women’s empowerment reception at the Royal Aeronautical Society during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, in London, April 19, 2018.  Chris Jackson, APFullscreenAlthough black is usually reserved for royal funerals Although black is usually reserved for royal funerals it’s not entirely unprecedented for royals-in-waiting to don the color, and Markle looked nothing short of sleek in a dress with an asymmetrical neckline by Black Halo.  CHRIS JACKSON, AFP/Getty ImagesFullscreenThe royal couple-to-be showed off their obvious chemistry The royal couple-to-be showed off their obvious chemistry when they attended a women’s empowerment reception during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, in London, April 19, 2018.  Chris Jackson, APFullscreenAs usual, Meghan Markle glowed for her latest public As usual, Meghan Markle glowed for her latest public appearance prior to her May 19 wedding to Prince Harry, just one month away.  Chris Jackson, Getty ImagesFullscreenPrince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped out during the Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped out during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London on April 18, 2018.  Frank Augstein/APFullscreenThe two, set to wed in just over a month, both donned The two, set to wed in just over a month, both donned sharp blazers.  Frank Augstein/APFullscreenMarkle's tossed a Camilla and Marc blazer over her Markle’s tossed a Camilla and Marc blazer over her pinstripe Altuzarra dress.  Samir Hussein/WireImageFullscreenOur favorite part of her chic ensemble is her sophisticated Our favorite part of her chic ensemble is her sophisticated mixing of stripes.  Chris Jackson/Getty ImagesFullscreenAll wedding planning and no fun could make for dull All wedding planning and no fun could make for dull royals, but thankfully Prince Harry and Meghan Markle can turn to the Invictus Games. On April 6, the couple stepped out in Bath, England to attend the UK Team Trials for the competition to be held in Sydney in October. The international sport event gives wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women — both veteran and active — the opportunity to compete.  Chris Jackson/Getty ImagesFullscreenKeeping close to his fianc茅e, Harry pointed something Keeping close to his fianc茅e, Harry pointed something out to her at the trials.  Chris Jackson/Getty ImagesFullscreenMarkle mirrored her love's casual look, sporting an Markle mirrored her love’s casual look, sporting an Invictus Games polo, 3/4-length olive coat and bootcut jeans.  Samir Hussein/WireImageFullscreenHer ensemble was perfect for greeting Invictus Games Her ensemble was perfect for greeting Invictus Games hopefuls.  Karwai Tang/Karwai Tang/WireImageFullscreenHarry actively cheered on one runner, a fellow member Harry actively cheered on one runner, a fellow member of the red head club.  BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty ImagesFullscreenWith less than two months to go before saying, 'I do,' With less than two months to go before saying, ‘I do,’ Prince Harry and Meghan Markle embarked on their first official joint visit to Northern Ireland on March 23, 2018.  Karwai Tang/WireImageFullscreenThe pair visited the Eikon Exhibition Centre and attend The pair visited the Eikon Exhibition Centre and attend Amazing the Space, a youth-led peace-building initiative.  Chris Jackson/Getty ImagesFullscreenUpon arrival, Markle was presented with a sunny floral Upon arrival, Markle was presented with a sunny floral arrangement.  MARK MARLOW/AFP/Getty ImagesFullscreenOnce inside the Eikon Exhibition Centre, Markle shed Once inside the Eikon Exhibition Centre, Markle shed her Mackage coat, revealing her stylish ensemble, a chic pairing of a Victoria Beckham knit sweater with a Greta Constantine skirt, Jimmy Choo pumps and a handbag by Charlotte Elizabeth.  Niall Carson/APFullscreenAn important step in Meghan Markle's royal education: An important step in Meghan Markle’s royal education: Her first joint official appearance with Queen Elizabeth II and the royal family. Prince Harry and his American fiancee attended the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey on March 12, 2018.  DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS, AFP/Getty ImagesFullscreenMeghan Markle wore a creamy white coat by Amanda Wakeley Meghan Markle wore a creamy white coat by Amanda Wakeley and a matching beret-style hat over a dark dress for the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on March 12, 2018.  Samir Hussein/WireImageFullscreenPrince Harry and Meghan Markle accompanied Prince William Prince Harry and Meghan Markle accompanied Prince William and Duchess Kate of Cambridge to the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey on March 12, 2018.  DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS, AFP/Getty ImagesFullscreenMeghan Markle's coat featured an upturned collar and Meghan Markle’s coat featured an upturned collar and fastened at the waist. She wore a dark blue dress and navy suede heels.  DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS, AFP/Getty ImagesFullscreenAfter the service, the young royals, including Meghan After the service, the young royals, including Meghan Markle, met with school children in the abbey dean’s yard. Meghan crouched to receive a posy of flowers from a young girl.  DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS, AFP/Getty ImagesFullscreenPrince Harry and Meghan Markle are greeted by children Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are greeted by children excitedly waving the British flag as they arrive in Birmingham, England for International Women’s Day on March 8, 2018.  Matt Dunham/APFullscreenMarkle took the time to meet the local students. Markle took the time to meet the local students.  Hannah McKay/APFullscreenDuring their visit, Markle and her prince visited Millennium During their visit, Markle and her prince visited Millennium Point, a destination providing workspace to organizations focused on STEM and education.  WPA Pool/Getty ImagesFullscreenMeghan Markle made her first joint appearance with Meghan Markle made her first joint appearance with Harry, Prince William and Duchess Kate at the first Royal Foundation Forum on Feb.28, 2018 in London. Markle’s name will be added to the foundation’s title when she weds and launches her new life as royal philanthropist.  CHRIS JACKSON, AFP/Getty ImagesFullscreenBritain's Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, right, and Meghan Meghan Markle was all smiles at the first annual Royal Foundation Forum in London on Feb. 28, 2018, joining Duchess Kate and Princes William and Harry onstage for the occasion.  Chris Jackson, APFullscreenLONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 28:  Prince Harry and Meghan Markle chose a navy Jason Wu dress to mark the occasion.  Chris Jackson, Getty ImagesFullscreen

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