Deborah Chan
Music played a pivotal role in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding, with the couple carefully choosing hymns and choral works for the ceremony. The gospel choir, The Kingdom Choir, performed a rendition of Stand By Me by Ben E. King, and Amen/This Little Light of Mine à la Etta James at the closing procession. The choir was conducted by Karen Gibson and accompanied by a teenage cellist and an opera singer. Sir Elton John also performed at the lunchtime reception, singing Circle of Life, Your Song, and I'm Still Standing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Wedding | May 19, 2018 |
| Location | St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle |
| Type of Music | Hymns and Choral Works |
| Notable Performances | The Kingdom Choir, Sir Elton John |
| Songs Performed | "Stand By Me", "This Little Light of Mine", "Circle of Life", "Your Song", "I'm Still Standing" |
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What You'll Learn
The Kingdom Choir performed 'Stand By Me'
The Kingdom Choir performed a rendition of Ben E. King's "Stand By Me" at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding. The London-based gospel choir, founded and conducted by Karen Gibson, has been performing together for over 20 years. The choir is made up of a group of British artists who are dedicated to creating a sound that demonstrates the community they share.
The Kingdom Choir's performance at the royal wedding was particularly notable as they only sang one song (and a bit of an encore as Harry and Meghan exited the church). Despite this, they received a huge amount of attention and their following increased significantly. In the words of Gibson, the choir's performance was the start of a "rollercoaster".
Following their performance at the wedding, the choir released their debut album, "Stand By Me", and have since performed around the world. They have also performed at the Invictus Games in Australia and have toured the U.K., with plans to tour the U.S. in September.
The choir's performance at the royal wedding was a highlight of the culture-blending ceremony and a wonderful contribution, as acknowledged by Harry and Meghan in their thank you card.
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Karen Gibson conducted the choir
Karen Gibson, the founder and conductor of the Kingdom Choir, said that the atmosphere at rehearsals is "very fun" and "healing". The choir meets twice weekly at a church and community hub in London's Battersea, and Gibson describes the environment as full of laughing, banter and teasing.
The choir's performance at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding was a pivotal moment for the group. They sang a rendition of Ben E. King's "Stand By Me" at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, as well as "Amen/This Little Light of Mine" à la Etta James during the closing procession. Their performance was so well-received that their website crashed twice on the night of the wedding, and their following increased from 700 to 35,000 by the Sunday.
The choir's performance at the royal wedding also led to a record deal with Sony. They released their debut album, "Stand By Me", in November 2018, featuring the title track and 14 other songs, including an original composition called "Chases". The group has since performed in 18 cities across the UK, Australia, and the US.
Karen Gibson is incredibly grateful for the opportunities that have come the choir's way since performing at the royal wedding. She said, "It’s like an undreamt dream — one that you wouldn't even consider, because you never thought it could happen to you."
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The choir sang 'This Little Light of Mine'
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle featured a gospel choir, a departure from the strictly classical music and hymns of his brother's wedding. The choir sang "This Little Light of Mine", a song that originated in the 1920s and is often attributed to the evangelist Harry Dixon Loes, who is said to have written it for children. However, researchers have found no evidence that he wrote it, though they acknowledge that he created a popular arrangement of the hymn in the 1940s. The song is widely recognised as an African American spiritual and has been used as a song of resistance by Civil Rights Movements.
The choice of the gospel choir and the inclusion of "This Little Light of Mine" in the wedding ceremony were notable because the music of African American churches is not commonly heard at royal weddings. The song was performed by Karen Gibson and the Kingdom Choir, who gained worldwide recognition after their performance. The choir's rendition of the song was a three-part harmony version, and it was the final song played as the couple exited St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle as newlyweds.
"This Little Light of Mine" holds significant meaning for Harry and Meghan, who chose it to symbolise their relationship motto, "love always wins". In an interview, Meghan explained the importance of the song's message: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that." Harry echoed these sentiments, stating, "The message of this song is one we hold so dearly. It's about using the power we each have within us to make this world a better place."
The inclusion of this song in their wedding ceremony reflects Harry and Meghan's desire to incorporate modern elements into their royal wedding, such as using contemporary language in the marriage service and Meghan's decision not to promise to obey her husband.
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Soloists, choral groups and musicians performed
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle featured a range of soloists, choral groups, and musicians. The couple carefully chose hymns and choral works for the ceremony, including "Stand By Me" by Ben E. King, performed by the Kingdom Choir, a Christian gospel choir founded by Karen Gibson. The choir also sang "Amen/This Little Light of Mine" à la Etta James during the closing procession. The Kingdom Choir's performance at the royal wedding propelled them to international fame, with their website crashing and their following increasing significantly.
The music director at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, where the wedding took place, also oversaw the music at the ceremony. He is an organist and a conductor who usually directs the men and boys' choir at the chapel. The choir, directed by James Vivian, consisted of 23 boy choristers from St George’s School and twelve Lay Clerks singing alto, tenor, and bass.
Soprano Elin Manahan Thomas performed "Eternal Source of Light Divine" during Meghan's entrance into the chapel, escorted by her father-in-law, Prince Charles, who advised the couple on their wedding music. The couple also included a teenage cellist and an opera singer in their musical lineup.
Trumpet players from the Band of the Household Cavalry supported the ceremony, as announced by the Palace. Sir Elton John performed at the lunchtime reception following the ceremony, with a set reportedly including "Circle of Life," "Your Song," and "I'm Still Standing."
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Soprano Elin Manahan Thomas sang 'Eternal Source of Light Divine'
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle featured a variety of talented musicians, from teenage cellists to opera singers and gospel choirs. One of the most memorable performances was by the soprano Elin Manahan Thomas, who sang "Eternal Source of Light Divine" during the ceremony as Meghan made her entrance into St. George's Chapel.
Thomas's performance of "Eternal Source of Light Divine" was a perfect pairing to the moment, as Meghan, escorted by her father-in-law Prince Charles, made her way into the chapel wearing a stunning Givenchy Haute Couture dress and a 16-foot veil. The song, with its soaring vocals and beautiful lyrics, created an ethereal atmosphere that matched the elegance and emotion of the bride's entrance.
Elin Manahan Thomas is a renowned Welsh soprano known for her pure tone, expressive phrasing, and versatility in a range of musical genres. She has performed with some of the world's leading orchestras and conductors and has a particular interest in early music and Baroque repertoire. Her rendition of "Eternal Source of Light Divine" at the royal wedding showcased her exceptional talent and added a touch of classical elegance to the proceedings.
The choice of "Eternal Source of Light Divine" as Meghan's processional song was a collaborative effort between the royal couple and Prince Charles, who advised them on their wedding music. In a guided tour, Meghan remarked, "We worked quite a lot with the Prince of Wales, who has incredible taste in specifically classical music, so it was really fun to spend some time going through selections with him, and then there were specific choices that were made."
The performance by Elin Manahan Thomas was a highlight of the royal wedding, showcasing the couple's appreciation for classical music and providing a beautiful accompaniment to Meghan's entrance, making it a memorable moment for the newlyweds and guests alike.
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Frequently asked questions
The music at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding included "hymns and choral works", as well as performances from soloists and musicians. The Kingdom Choir performed "Stand By Me" by Ben E. King, and "Amen/This Little Light of Mine" à la Etta James. Soprano Elin Manahan Thomas performed "Eternal Source of Light Divine" as Meghan entered the chapel.
The Kingdom Choir was conducted by Karen Gibson.
Sir Elton John performed at the lunchtime reception following the ceremony. His set reportedly included "Circle of Life", "Your Song", and "I'm Still Standing".
The Kingdom Choir gained popularity after their performance at the royal wedding, with their website crashing twice on the night of the wedding and their following increasing from 700 to 35,000 by the Sunday. They released their debut album, "Stand By Me", in 2018.
