Solomon's Reading: Harry And Meghan's Wedding

At the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Harry's aunt and his mother Princess Diana's sister, Lady Jane Fellowes, read from the Song of Solomon, also known as the Song of Songs. The poem, written between the second and 10th centuries BC, is considered one of the most ambiguous books of the Bible. It has been interpreted as an allegory for the relationship between Christ and the Church, or God and mankind, but on a literal level, it is a love story. The passage chosen for the wedding reading speaks of yearning and desire, and a new beginning for couples in love.

The reading was delivered by Lady Jane Fellowes, Princess Diana's sister

The Song of Solomon, also known as the Song of Songs, is a poem or sequence of poems from the Bible. It is considered one of the most ambiguous books of the Bible, and its interpretation has been debated for the last two millennia. It is often interpreted as an allegory for the relationship between Christ and the Church, Christ and the Virgin Mary, or God and mankind.

At Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding, the couple chose a reading from the Song of Solomon, delivered by Lady Jane Fellowes, Princess Diana's sister. The choice of reading was a way to honour and involve Princess Diana's side of the family, as Harry had also used two diamonds from her collection in the engagement ring he gave to Meghan.

The reading by Lady Jane Fellowes fused two different passages from the Song of Solomon, Song of Solomon 2:10-13, also known as "My Beloved Speaks," and Song of Solomon 8:6-7. The verses speak of a mother's love for her son, a new beginning for couples in love, and a strong marriage with God at the centre. The passage describes the yearning and desire prevalent in love and symbolises purity, innocence, and newness, making it a fitting choice for a spring wedding.

The Song of Solomon is also notable for its celebration of physical love and sexual intimacy, making it a bold choice for a royal wedding. However, the beauty of the song and the lovers' participation in God's creation are also important aspects of its meaning.

The passage is also known as 'My Beloved Speaks'

The passage from the Song of Solomon, also known as the Song of Songs, was read by Lady Jane Fellowes, the late Princess Diana's sister, at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. It is a poem or sequence of poems, considered one of the most ambiguous books of the Bible, and has been interpreted in various ways.

The passage, "My Beloved Speaks", is a love story told from multiple perspectives, including that of the "radiant and ruddy" King Solomon and a "black and beautiful" Shulammite maiden. It captures the yearning and desire prevalent in love and speaks of a new beginning, making it a fitting choice for a spring wedding.

"My Beloved Speaks" begins with an invitation from the beloved to arise and come away, as nature awakens and the season of singing has arrived:

> "My beloved speaks and says to me: 'Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.'"

The beloved continues to express the intensity of their love, comparing it to a seal upon their heart and arm, and describing it as strong as death and fierce as the grave:

> "Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a raging flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If one offered for love all the wealth of one's house, it would be utterly scorned."

The passage is a romantic and emotional choice for a wedding reading, focusing on the themes of true love, growth as a couple, and the passion that love ignites. It is a refreshing departure from more conventional biblical passages often chosen for weddings, such as 1 Corinthians 13 or 1 John 4.

The Song of Solomon is a poem or sequence of poems

The Song of Solomon, also known as the Song of Songs, is a poem or sequence of poems that is considered one of the most ambiguous books of the Bible. It is traditionally ascribed to King Solomon and consists of eight rhapsodic chapters that tell the story of the great love between the Shulamite and her shepherd. The Shulamite, a young woman from the vineyards of Shulem, initially goes to King Solomon's court, where she is wined and dined. However, in subsequent chapters, she resists his advances and instead wanders into the city, where she is beaten and robbed. The shepherd eventually comes to the court and takes her home to be his bride.

The Song of Solomon has been interpreted in various ways, including allegorically, dramatically, cultically, and literally. The allegorical interpretation suggests that the book symbolizes God's love for the Israelites or, among Christians, the covenantal love of Christ for his church. Medieval mystics also interpreted the song as representing the love between Christ and the human soul. The dramatic interpretation views the book as a love story enacted by different speakers, while the cultic interpretation suggests the book is a collection of songs associated with sacred marriage rituals.

The most widely accepted interpretation among modern scholars is that the Song of Solomon is a collection of secular love poems without religious implications. According to this view, the poems celebrate the joy and goodness of human love, the sense of inner fulfillment, and the harmony with God's creation that arises from such love.

At the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Lady Jane Fellowes, the late Princess Diana's sister, read an excerpt from the Song of Solomon as a tribute to Diana and her family. The passage included verses from Song of Solomon 2:10-13 and Song of Solomon 8:6, which speak of yearning and desire in love and symbolise a new beginning.

The passage describes a new beginning for couples in love

The passage chosen by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from the Song of Solomon for their wedding ceremony is a beautiful expression of love and a celebration of a new beginning for couples. The Song of Solomon, also known as the Song of Songs, is a poem or sequence of poems from the Bible, often regarded as a love story between King Solomon and the Shulammite maiden.

The selected verses, "My beloved speaks and says to me: 'Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; for now, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away," capture the essence of a blossoming relationship, one that is ready to embark on a new chapter.

The imagery of winter giving way to spring, with flowers blooming and nature awakening, symbolizes the freshness and vitality of their love. It speaks of leaving the past behind and stepping into a new season together, a journey filled with singing, fragrance, and beauty. The passage conveys a powerful message of love's strength and resilience, comparing it to a fierce flame that cannot be quenched, even by floods.

The choice of this particular passage from the Song of Solomon by Harry and Meghan is significant. It reflects their desire to start a new life together, embracing love, passion, and a shared future. By including this reading in their wedding ceremony, they not only expressed their romantic love for each other but also acknowledged the importance of family and honouring those who could not be with them on their special day, like Harry's late mother, Princess Diana.

The passage is a popular choice for wedding readings

The Song of Solomon is a refreshing choice for a wedding reading, offering a unique perspective on love and desire. The passage read by Lady Jane Fellowes at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding is a beautiful example of the song's romantic and emotional appeal.

The selected verses from Song of Solomon 2:10-13 and Song of Solomon 8:6-7 speak of yearning and desire in love, as well as a new beginning as a couple. The imagery of nature, such as flowers blooming and birds singing, symbolizes purity, innocence, and the newness of spring. The passion and intensity of love are also highlighted in these verses, with comparisons to a raging flame and flashes of fire.

The Song of Solomon is an ideal choice for couples seeking a romantic and emotional reading that celebrates the beauty of love and nature. The passage's focus on desire and new beginnings makes it especially fitting for weddings, symbolizing the start of a couple's life together.

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