George Boyle
Music played a significant role in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding, from the prelude to the ceremony to the first dance. The ceremony included hymns and choral works carefully chosen by the couple, with performances from choral groups, soloists, and musicians. The couple's first dance was to I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) by Whitney Houston, and other songs performed at the wedding include Stand By Me by Ben E. King and Eternal Source of Light Divine by George Frideric Handel.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bride's entrance music | "Eternal Source of Light Divine" by George Frideric Handel |
| First dance | Wilson Pickett's "Land of 1000 Dances" |
| Choir performance | "Stand By Me" by Ben E. King |
| Choir performance | "Amen/This Little Light of Mine" by Etta James |
| Elton John's set | "Circle of Life", "Your Song", and "I'm Still Standing" |
| Prelude to the ceremony | Elgar, Vaughan Williams, and Peter Warlock |
| Orchestra | Christopher Warren Green |
| Orchestra | Elgar's "Salut d’Amour", "Serenade for Strings" (first movement), and "Chanson de Matin" |
| Orchestra | Howells' "Psalm-Prelude Set 1, No. 2" |
| Orchestra | Handel's "Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne" |
| Orchestra | Thomas Tallis's "If ye love me" |
| Orchestra | Maria Theresia von Paradis' most famous work |
| DJ set | Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" |
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What You'll Learn
Processional song
Music played an important role in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding ceremony, with the couple hand-selecting the music to accompany the ceremony, ranging from gospel to traditional hymns. The processional song, in particular, was carefully chosen by the royal couple to reflect their personalities and celebrate their love.
For the processional, Prince Harry picked the angelic operatic composition, "Eternal Source of Light Divine" by George Frideric Handel, for his bride Meghan Markle's walk down the aisle. The song, originally composed in 1713 to mark the birthday of Queen Anne, held a special meaning for the couple. Harry explained that the song epitomized the whole day and the feelings he had for his bride. The composition, with its impactful music and soloist performance, captured the emotions of the moment.
The processional was also accompanied by an orchestra, conducted by Christopher Warren-Green, which included well-known British composers such as Elgar, Vaughan Williams, and Peter Warlock. The orchestra added elegance and grandeur to the ceremony with their instrumental melodies.
In addition to the processional song, the ceremony featured a range of musical performances, including choral works, soloists, and musicians. The Kingdom Choir, directed by Karen Gibson, performed a moving rendition of "Stand By Me," a soul classic by Ben E. King. The gospel music, suggested by Prince Charles, reflected Prince Harry's links to Wales and his passion for sports.
The couple also included traditional hymns in their ceremony, such as "Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer," a Welsh rugby anthem, and "Ave Maria," performed by the talented 19-year-old cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, showcasing the couple's musical tastes and adding a personal touch to their special day.
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Classical music
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018 featured a mix of classical music, gospel, and traditional hymns. The couple hand-selected the music to accompany the ceremony, which celebrated the theme of love.
The prelude to the ceremony included a large contingent of British composers, such as Elgar, Vaughan Williams, and Peter Warlock. The orchestra, conducted by Christopher Warren-Green, played pieces like Elgar's 'Salut d'Amour' and 'Serenade for Strings' (first movement), and Handel's 'Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne'.
Cellist and BBC Young Musician 2016 Sheku Kanneh-Mason performed three classical pieces for the couple, including 'Ave Maria'. The choir of St. George's Chapel also performed Tallis's sublime two-minute motet, showcasing their exquisite poise, perfect tuning, and beautiful restraint.
The processional music as the couple walked down the aisle as a married couple was Symphony No. 1 in B-flat major by William Boyce. The ceremony also included the choral version of the Ben E. King classic, 'Stand By Me', and the traditional hymn 'Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer'.
Additionally, 'Eternal Source of Light Divine' was performed by soprano Elin Manahan Thomas as Meghan entered St. George's Chapel. The music for the wedding was overseen by James Vivian, the director of music at St. George's Chapel, and led by principal conductor Christopher Warren-Green.
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Opera
Music played an integral role in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding, with the couple taking great care in selecting the songs that would be performed during the ceremony and reception. The wedding ceremony featured a range of artists, from a teenage cellist to an opera singer and a gospel choir.
The most notable operatic element of the wedding was the song chosen by Prince Harry for Meghan Markle's entrance as she walked down the aisle. The Duke of Sussex selected the angelic operatic composition, "Eternal Source of Light Divine", by George Frideric Handel. The piece, originally composed in 1713 to mark the birthday of Queen Anne, featured a soloist and an orchestra, conducted by Christopher Warren Green, without an organ. The song was performed by soprano Elin Manahan Thomas and served as the perfect pairing to Meghan's entrance into St. George's Chapel, wearing a stunning Givenchy Haute Couture dress and 16-foot veil.
The prelude to the ceremony also included a large representation of British composers, such as Elgar, Vaughan Williams, and Peter Warlock. Pieces played by the assembled orchestra included Elgar's "Salut d’Amour" and "Serenade for Strings (first movement)", as well as Warlock's "Chanson de Matin". The ceremony also featured choral works, hymns, and soloists, including a 19-year-old cellist who performed as the couple signed the register.
While the reception entertainment has not been fully disclosed, it is known that the couple's first dance was to "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" by Whitney Houston. Additionally, Sir Elton John performed at the lunchtime reception, singing "Circle of Life", "Your Song", and "I'm Still Standing".
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Choir
Music played a pivotal role in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding, with the couple carefully choosing "hymns and choral works" for their special day. The ceremony featured performances from choral groups, soloists, and musicians, including a gospel choir.
The Kingdom Choir, a Christian gospel choir founded by Karen Gibson, performed a rendition of Ben E. King's "Stand By Me" during the ceremony. The choir, consisting of British artists, has been together for over 20 years and is dedicated to creating a sound that reflects their shared community. Their performance of "Stand By Me" was particularly significant, with the song's message of enduring love resonating deeply with the couple and their guests. The choir also performed "Amen/This Little Light of Mine" à la Etta James during the closing procession, adding a joyful and uplifting note to the celebration.
The gospel choir was not the only vocal ensemble to grace the royal wedding. The choir of St. George's Chapel, directed by James Vivian, also played an integral part in the ceremony. This choir, with its long history dating back to 1348, is comprised of 23 boy choristers from St. George's School and twelve Lay Clerks singing alto, tenor, and bass. Their rich, harmonious voices added a sense of solemnity and tradition to the occasion.
In addition to the choirs, the wedding also featured a range of talented soloists and musicians. One notable performance was by 19-year-old cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, who played during the signing of the register. Meghan Markle personally invited Kanneh-Mason after seeing him perform at an event supporting the Halo Foundation. His exquisite playing added a touch of classical elegance to the proceedings.
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Pop
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle featured a variety of pop songs, ranging from classic hits to contemporary tunes. The musical choices reflected the couple's personal taste and included performances by talented choirs and renowned artists.
One of the most notable pop songs played at the wedding was "Stand By Me," originally by Ben E. King. The song, with its enduring theme of love, took on a deeper meaning in the context of Markle's biracial heritage and represented a more inclusive royal family. The Kingdom Choir, a Christian gospel choir, delivered a powerful rendition of the song during the ceremony, making it one of the most significant musical moments of the day.
The couple's first dance was to "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" by Whitney Houston, a classic pop song that got everyone on the dance floor. The reception also included a DJ set by Idris Elba, who kept the party going with a mix of contemporary hits.
Elton John, a friend of the couple, performed at the lunchtime reception. His set reportedly included pop classics such as "Circle of Life," "Your Song," and "I'm Still Standing." These songs added a touch of nostalgia and sentimentality to the festivities.
The wedding also featured a mix of classical and contemporary pop songs to cater to a wide range of musical tastes. Meghan Markle's procession song, "Eternal Source of Light Divine" by George Frideric Handel, was an angelic operatic composition chosen by Prince Harry himself. This classical piece set a grand and elegant tone for the royal wedding.
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Frequently asked questions
Prince Harry chose "Eternal Source of Light Divine", an operatic composition by George Frideric Handel, for his bride's entrance.
The ceremony included "hymns and choral works" chosen by the royal couple, alongside performances from choral groups, soloists, and musicians. The Kingdom Choir performed a rendition of "Stand By Me", and Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir sang "Amen/This Little Light of Mine" à la Etta James at the closing procession. The prelude to the ceremony included pieces by British composers such as Elgar, Vaughan Williams, and Peter Warlock.
The couple had their first dance to "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" by Whitney Houston. Another source claims that their first dance was to Wilson Pickett's "Land of 1000 Dances".
