Harry And Meghan's Wedding Music

The music for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding was a mix of traditional and contemporary pieces. The ceremony featured a large quotient of British composers, including Elgar, Vaughan Williams, and Peter Warlock, while the reception included more modern songs, such as I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) by Whitney Houston.

One of the most memorable musical moments from the wedding was Meghan's entrance, for which Harry chose Eternal Source of Light Divine by George Frideric Handel. The song was performed by soprano Elin Manahan Thomas and made a lasting impression on the couple. Harry said he wanted something completely different to epitomise his feelings for Meghan, and the song perfectly captured the sentiment of the day.

The royal wedding also featured a gospel choir, the Kingdom Choir, who sang Stand By Me in what was described as an incredible and powerful moment. The choir was personally requested by Prince Charles to perform at the service.

The ceremony included African-American culture

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was held on Saturday, 19 May 2018, at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in the United Kingdom. The ceremony was noted for its inclusion of African-American culture.

The ceremony was conducted according to the Christian liturgy for Holy Matrimony as set out in Common Worship of the Church of England. The Dean of Windsor, David Conner, conducted the service with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, performing the marriage ceremony. The sermon was delivered by Michael Curry, the first black presiding bishop and primate of the Episcopal Church (the American member church of the Anglican Communion). Curry's 14-minute address, which quoted Martin Luther King Jr., emphasised the redemptive property of love.

The music during the ceremony included a gospel rendition of "Stand By Me" by Karen Gibson and the Kingdom Choir, a choral version of the Ben E. King classic. This was a quirky choice for a royal wedding but, given its sentiment and the American connections of the day, a suitably romantic one.

In addition to the traditional bridal themes of "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue", Markle included a piece of fabric from her dress on their first date stitched into the veil ("something blue").

The ceremony was widely reported as being significant for its departure from tradition and for its inclusion of African-American culture. It was described as a "landmark for African Americans", for Black British, black and mixed-race women, and for the royal family itself.

The couple's first dance was to Wilson Pickett's 'Land of 1000 Dances'

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a beautiful and traditional ceremony with a few modern twists. The couple added a number of personal touches to their special day, including the music. The ceremony took place on 19 May 2018, at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, with the bride walking down the aisle to "Eternal Source of Light Divine" by George Frideric Handel. This choice was made by Prince Harry, who wanted "something completely different".

The couple's first dance was to Wilson Pickett's "Land of 1000 Dances". The 1966 hit was a fun choice for the newlyweds, who wanted to ensure their guests had a great time. The dance was a special moment for Harry and Meghan, who were able to let loose and celebrate with their loved ones. The song was a perfect fit for the couple, who wanted to inject some of their personalities into the traditional royal wedding.

The music throughout the day was carefully selected, with a mix of British composers and personal favourites. The orchestra was made up of musicians from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the English Chamber Orchestra, and the Philharmonia Orchestra. The Kingdom Choir, a gospel group, also performed "Stand By Me", a Ben E. King classic, in what was described as "an incredible and powerful moment". The choir was personally requested by Prince Charles to perform at the wedding.

The couple's music choices reflected their unique style and taste, blending tradition and modernity. The first dance to Wilson Pickett's "Land of 1000 Dances" was a fun and memorable way to kick off the celebrations, with the couple beaming as they danced together for the first time as husband and wife.

The procession song was chosen by Prince Harry

The procession song, "Eternal Source of Light Divine" by George Frideric Handel, was chosen by Prince Harry himself. The groom revealed that he was looking for "something completely different" when he chose the song, which was originally composed by Handel in 1713 to mark the birthday of Queen Anne. The song was performed by Welsh soprano Elin Manahan Thomas, accompanied by trumpet obbligato played by David Blackadder.

Prince Harry shared that the song choice was particularly meaningful to him, as it captured the whole feeling he had for Meghan and the impact of the day. He explained that whenever he and Meghan hear that piece of music, they are instantly transported back to their wedding day. The couple considers the song to be something they will forever treasure.

The royal wedding ceremony, which took place on May 19, 2018, at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, included a mix of British composers and traditional wedding music. The orchestra was conducted by Christopher Warren-Green and featured musicians from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the English Chamber Orchestra, and the Philharmonia Orchestra.

The orchestra was conducted by Christopher Warren-Green

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle featured a rich and varied musical programme, with a particular focus on British composers. The orchestra was conducted by Christopher Warren-Green, a highly accomplished British violinist and conductor.

Warren-Green's career has spanned decades and he has held several prestigious positions, including Music Director of the London Chamber Orchestra since 1988 and concertmaster of the Philharmonia Orchestra. He has also conducted orchestras for other royal weddings, including that of Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

For Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding, the orchestra was comprised of musicians from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the English Chamber Orchestra, and the Philharmonia Orchestra. The group featured virtuoso cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, who performed during the signing of the register.

The musical programme for the wedding included a mix of classical and popular pieces, carefully selected to reflect the couple's tastes and personalities. The prelude to the ceremony featured British composers such as Elgar, Vaughan Williams, and Peter Warlock. The bride's entrance was accompanied by Handel's "Eternal Source of Light Divine", a fitting choice given its original composition for the birthday of Queen Anne.

Warren-Green's skilled conducting ensured that the music was a seamless and beautiful accompaniment to the wedding ceremony, creating a memorable and emotional atmosphere for the couple and their guests.

The choir was The Kingdom Choir

The Kingdom Choir is a British gospel choir based in London. It was founded by choir conductor and workshop leader Karen Gibson, who has been described by the British press as "Britain's godmother of gospel". The choir sang a gospel version of "Stand By Me" by Ben E. King at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The performance was described as an incredible and powerful moment and saw the choir become world-famous. The Kingdom Choir was asked to perform by Prince Charles.

The Kingdom Choir's performance of "Stand By Me" topped the U.S. Hot Gospel Songs chart. After the wedding, the choir signed a record deal with Sony Music and released its debut album, "Stand By Me", in October 2018. The album featured 14 cover performances and one original piece called "Chases".

The choir has since performed at various notable events, including the 2019 MLB London Series and the Coronation of Charles III and Camilla in May 2023. They also have a planned concert at the Barbican in May 2024 to celebrate 30 years of the choir and a new single, "Let It Rain".

The Kingdom Choir is made up of singers and friends from in and around London. They are passionate about producing a sound that resonates in people's hearts. Their performance at the royal wedding was watched by 1.9 billion people worldwide.

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