Hymns At Harry's Wedding: A Spiritual Affair

At the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the hymns Slane, a traditional Irish melody, and Cwm Rhondda, written by John Hughes, were chosen for the ceremony. The hymns played an important role in the wedding, setting the tone for the major event. In a touching tribute to Harry's late mother, Princess Diana, the hymn Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer, which was also sung at her funeral, was included in the service.

Harry's tribute to Princess Diana

On his wedding day, Prince Harry paid tribute to his late mother, Princess Diana, in several ways. Harry and his bride, Meghan Markle, chose to include the hymn "Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer" during their wedding ceremony. The hymn was previously sung at Princess Diana's funeral in 1997, when Harry was just 12 years old. The couple also invited Diana's sister, Lady Jane Fellowes, to give a reading of "The Song of Solomon" at the wedding. Harry's aunt's acceptance of this responsibility was particularly poignant given her press-shy nature.

Harry also honoured his mother by including her favourite flowers, white peonies and white garden roses, in the wedding decor. The flowers adorned the organ loft and entryway of St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. Additionally, Harry handpicked flowers from Kensington Palace's garden, including forget-me-nots, another of Diana's preferred blooms, to incorporate into Meghan's bouquet.

Harry has often spoken about the inspiration his mother provides, and he ensured that her memory was kept alive during his wedding celebrations. He also included a tribute to his mother when he proposed to Meghan, accenting the centrepiece diamond of her engagement ring with two smaller stones from Princess Diana's collection.

The hymns chosen

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding was one of the most talked-about events of the year. The ceremony, which took place on 19 May 2018, was held at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. The couple chose to include two hymns as part of their special day: "Slane," a traditional Irish melody, and "Cwm Rhondda," written by John Hughes.

"Slane," also known as "Lord of All Hopefulness," is a traditional Irish melody with lyrics written by Jan Struther in 1901. The hymn is a prayer for God's blessing and guidance, asking for strength and grace in daily life. It is often used in weddings as a way to invoke hope and faith in the union being blessed.

"Cwm Rhondda," on the other hand, is a well-known Welsh hymn with music composed by John Hughes in 1907. The hymn is based on the poem "Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer," written by William Williams in 1745. "Cwm Rhondda" has become a favourite in British hymnody and is often sung at important national events, including royal weddings.

The choice of "Cwm Rhondda" held a particularly special significance for Prince Harry. The hymn was also sung at the funeral of his mother, Princess Diana, in 1997. By including this hymn in his wedding, Prince Harry paid a touching tribute to his late mother, honouring her memory on his special day. The moment was an emotional one, with Prince Harry appearing to get choked up during the singing of the hymn.

The inclusion of "Cwm Rhondda" at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding not only honoured Princess Diana but also continued a musical tradition within the royal family, connecting their wedding to a larger historical and cultural context.

The royal wedding's tone

Music is an integral part of any wedding, and for royal weddings, it is no different. Hymns, in particular, are a traditional aspect of royal nuptials, and the choices made by the happy couple can often be revealing.

For Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding, the hymns were a way to pay tribute to Harry's late mother, Princess Diana. "Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer", a hymn that was sung at Princess Diana's funeral, was included in the ceremony as a touching way to honour her memory. The hymn also served as a reminder of the couple's desire to involve Harry's mother in their special day. The choice of hymn was an emotional one for Prince Harry, who appeared to get choked up during the song.

In addition to the hymn, other aspects of the wedding honoured Princess Diana. All three of Diana's siblings were in attendance, and her sister, Lady Jane Fellowes, gave a reading of "The Song of Solomon". Meghan Markle's bouquet also included forget-me-nots, one of Diana's favourite flowers, which Prince Harry handpicked from Kensington Palace's garden.

The hymns chosen for the royal wedding were kept secret until the ceremony, but this didn't stop people from speculating. "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" was a popular guess, as it had been featured in many other royal weddings, including that of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

On the day, two hymns were chosen for the ceremony: "Slane", a traditional Irish melody, and "Cwm Rhondda", written by John Hughes. These hymns contributed to the overall tone and mood of the wedding, just as music does for any event.

Overall, the hymns selected for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding reflected a desire to honour family tradition, pay tribute to loved ones, and create a solemn and joyous atmosphere for their special day.

The role of hymns in royal weddings

Hymns are an integral part of royal weddings, contributing to the mood and tone of the ceremony. They are chosen to be sung by both the bride and groom and are usually kept a closely guarded secret until the big day. However, for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding, there was some speculation about the hymns that would be included.

Royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

For their wedding, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle chose two hymns: "Slane," a traditional Irish melody, and "Cwm Rhondda," written by John Hughes. The couple also honoured Harry's late mother, Princess Diana, by including the hymn "Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer," which was sung at her funeral. This hymn has also been included in other royal weddings, such as that of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011.

Royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton

At the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, the hymns "Jerusalem" and "Farewell to Stromness" were sung. They also included "Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer" as a tribute to Princess Diana.

Significance of hymns in royal weddings

Hymns play a significant role in royal weddings, not only for their musical contribution but also for their ability to honour family traditions and pay tribute to loved ones. They are carefully selected to align with the tone and mood of the ceremony, creating a memorable and meaningful experience for the couple and their guests.

Meghan Markle's outfit

For her wedding to Prince Harry, Meghan Markle wore two different dresses on the day, both of which were a surprise to the world. For the ceremony, Markle wore a dress designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller under the Givenchy label. The dress was rather minimal and classic, with a graphic open bateau neckline, slim three-quarter sleeves, and a slender sculpted waist. The dress extended towards the back, with the train flowing in soft round folds cushioned by an underskirt in triple silk organza. Markle paired the dress with a 16.5-foot silk tulle veil, also designed by Keller, which featured embroidered flowers representing the distinctive flora of all 53 Commonwealth countries.

For her walk down the aisle, Meghan accessorised her veil with the Queen Mary Diamond Bandeau Tiara, a Cartier bracelet, and a pair of earrings. The tiara was lent to Markle by Queen Elizabeth, who had received it as a wedding gift in 1893 and had it specially designed to accommodate an interchangeable centre brooch.

For the evening reception, Markle surprised the world again by switching into a Stella McCartney high-neck, halter dress, bringing a modern touch to traditional royal aesthetics. The designer, Stella McCartney, was perfectly aligned with Markle's aesthetic and promoted eco-friendly fashion, vegan leathers, and sustainability. The dress had a Slinky silhouette and a refined glamour, with a high halter neckline and no sleeves.

Frequently asked questions