Harry's Wedding Preacher Pair

There was one preacher at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding: Bishop Michael Bruce Curry. He is the first African-American bishop of the predominantly white Episcopal Church and is known for his social justice work. In his passionate and lengthy sermon, he spoke about the power of love, quoting Martin Luther King Jr. and discussing how slaves in America's South sang spirituals in the midst of their captivity.

Harry and Meghan's wedding broke royal traditions

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding was certainly one for the history books, with the couple choosing to do things their own way and breaking with several royal traditions.

Firstly, Meghan, a divorced American actress with no aristocratic origins, represented a significant departure from the typical background of a royal bride. Her welcome into the Royal Family with open arms marked a break from the past, where relationships between senior royals and divorcees were often controversial.

The wedding ceremony itself also featured several notable breaks from tradition. The couple chose to be married by the Dean of Windsor and the Archbishop of Canterbury, rather than a senior member of the Church of England. The address was given by Bishop Michael Curry, the first African-American bishop of the Episcopal Church, who delivered a passionate and unconventional sermon on the power of love, quoting Martin Luther King Jr. and even reading from an iPad.

Another break from tradition was Meghan's entrance into the chapel. In a bold and feminist move, she chose to walk the first half of the aisle alone, before being joined by her father-in-law, Prince Charles, for the second half. Harry also turned to watch Meghan walk towards him, breaking the tradition of the groom facing forward at the altar.

The wedding cake was also unconventional. Instead of the traditional multi-tiered rich fruitcake, Harry and Meghan opted for a lemon and elderflower cake with buttercream and fresh flowers, baked by an American baker. They also chose not to follow the tradition of giving guests a slice of the cake as a wedding favour.

The bride and groom spent the night before their wedding in separate luxury hotels, rather than at royal residences, and Meghan's bridesmaids and page boys were evenly split between her friends and the royal family, rather than being mostly royal family members.

Finally, Harry chose to wear a wedding ring, a platinum band, which is not common among male members of the royal family.

Overall, Harry and Meghan's wedding was a unique and modern celebration that brought a breath of fresh air to traditional British royal weddings.

Bishop Michael Curry's sermon topics

Bishop Michael Curry, the 27th Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church, is known for his powerful sermons on love, social justice, and racial reconciliation. Here are some of the key sermon topics that he has addressed:

• The Power of Love: Bishop Curry is renowned for his sermon "Discover the Power of Love," which he delivered at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. In this sermon, he emphasised the transformative power of unconditional love, quoting Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous words, "We must discover the power of love, the redemptive power of love. And when we do that, we will make of this old world a new world. Love is the only way." Bishop Curry highlighted how love can heal, comfort, and bring about positive change in the world.
• Social Justice: Bishop Curry is actively engaged in issues of social justice. He has spoken out on immigration policy, marriage equality, and efforts to help families in inner cities. One of his notable sermons, "Show Us the Way!", is a call to action for social change. He has also worked to address poverty and supported same-sex marriage, emphasising the need for inclusion and equality.
• Racial Reconciliation: As the first African-American bishop of the predominantly white Episcopal Church, Bishop Curry has made racial reconciliation a priority. He has emphasised the importance of changing hearts and minds, building relationships, and sharing life stories to foster racial harmony. In his sermons, he often addresses the legacy of slavery and the resilience of America's enslaved people, drawing on their spirituals and psalms.
• Spirituality and Faith: Bishop Curry's sermons often delve into the spiritual and theological aspects of Christianity. He encourages Christians to put love at the centre of their spiritual lives, drawing on biblical passages and the teachings of Jesus. In his sermons, he explores themes such as the unconditional love of God, the power of faith, and the mandate to live a life of love and service.
• Community and Family: Bishop Curry's sermons also focus on the importance of community and family. He emphasises how love can transform homes, neighbourhoods, and communities. He highlights the idea that when we treat each other as family, with love and respect, we can create a more harmonious and just society.
• Personal Stories and Reflections: Bishop Curry incorporates personal stories and reflections into his sermons. He shares insights from his autobiography, "Songs My Grandma Sang," which details his family's history of agricultural poverty and their descent from slaves. These personal narratives add a layer of depth and authenticity to his messages.

Bishop Curry's sermons are known for their passion, energy, and ability to captivate audiences from diverse backgrounds. Through his powerful messages, he inspires and challenges listeners to reflect on the transformative power of love and its potential to bring about positive change in the world.

The royal family's reactions to the sermon

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was an emotional affair, with Bishop Michael Bruce Curry delivering a powerful message about love, slavery, and quoting Martin Luther King Jr. The royal family's reactions to the sermon were varied and priceless, with some members trying to keep straight faces while others were more expressive in their surprise.

Zara Tindall, daughter of Princess Anne, had a very interesting expression when the reverend announced he would wrap up his sermon so the couple could get married. Harry's cousin, Zara Phillips, had a similar reaction, with her jaw dropping in astonishment. Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, on the other hand, sported matching smirks, with Beatrice's eye-popping reaction capturing the attention of many.

Prince William, who sat beside Zara Tindall, was seen enjoying the sermon with a smile, while Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip maintained straight faces throughout. Kate Middleton's side-eye to Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, also did not go unnoticed by Twitter users, who were quick to comment on the royal family's reactions.

Bishop Curry's sermon was certainly a memorable part of the wedding, with his passionate and bold words leaving a lasting impression on those in attendance and those watching around the world.

The role of music at the wedding

Music is an integral part of any wedding celebration, and choosing the right music can greatly contribute to the overall mood and atmosphere of the event. Music is often played during the wedding ceremony itself, as well as at festivities before or after the main event. It can be performed live by instrumentalists or vocalists, or it may be pre-recorded.

The music played at a wedding is usually selected with great care, as it will be heard by everyone in attendance and will help to create the desired ambiance. It is important to consider the varying tastes of guests, who will likely range from children to elders, and to avoid including songs that may be deemed inappropriate for the occasion.

At many weddings, music is used to announce the arrival of the participants, such as the bride's entrance, which in many Western cultures takes the form of a wedding march. For over a century, the most popular processional has been the Bridal Chorus from Wagner's "Lohengrin", often called "Here Comes The Bride". Since the wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Lady Diana Spencer in 1981, Jeremiah Clarke's "Prince of Denmark's March" has also been a popular choice. At the end of the service, the newlyweds may march back up the aisle to a lively tune, such as Felix Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" from "A Midsummer Night's Dream".

In addition to these traditional choices, couples may opt for more modern or alternative pieces of music to reflect their personal tastes. For instance, some couples may view traditional wedding marches as clichéd and instead choose a piece such as Canon in D by Johann Pachelbel.

The choice of musical entertainment, whether a DJ, band, or performer, is also an important consideration. A DJ may be more suitable for a fun, modern wedding, while a band could be preferable for a couple seeking a more old-school feel. It is important to communicate your musical specifications and any restrictions clearly to your chosen entertainer.

Music is a powerful tool for setting the tone and creating lasting memories of a wedding celebration. It can add an essence of entertainment and fun to an already joyous occasion, and it provides an opportunity to dedicate songs to loved ones.

The wedding's 1.9 billion viewers

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in May 2018 was a grand affair, with a combined audience of 11.5 million people tuning in to watch the ceremony. According to Nielsen data, 29.19 million viewers across 15 broadcast and cable networks in the US alone witnessed the royal nuptials. This figure represents almost a tenth of all US residents. In the UK, the wedding was watched by about 24 million people, amounting to more than a third of the country's population.

The choice of preacher for the ceremony was a break from royal tradition. The Episcopal Bishop, Michael Bruce Curry, delivered a passionate and moving message before the couple exchanged their vows. Bishop Curry is the first African-American bishop of the predominantly white Episcopal Church. He is a trailblazer known for his social justice work, including his efforts to help families in inner cities and his support for same-sex marriage.

The preacher's sermon was not just a celebration of the love between Harry and Meghan but a powerful call to action. He quoted Martin Luther King Jr., saying, "We must discover the power of love, the redemptive power of love. And when we discover that, we will be able to make of this old world a new world. Love is the only way." Bishop Curry also honoured Markle's American heritage by speaking about slavery and quoting Dr. King. He said, "Love is the way, and when love is the way, poverty will become history. When love is the way, the Earth will be a sanctuary."

The impact of Bishop Curry's words was evident, with several members of the royal family, including Kate Middleton and Zara Phillips, unable to hide their reactions. The sermon also sparked reactions on Twitter, with one user writing, "I'm cackling because the Americans are listening to this sermon like, 'Oh yeah, this is how this works,' and all the camera shots of the Brits have them looking around at each other." The royal wedding video, now available on YouTube, has since garnered over 35 million views, making it the most-watched royal wedding to date.

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