Junior Rasmussen
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding was an unforgettable event, from the iconic carriage ride to the Duchess's two flawless wedding gowns. The couple's first dance as newlyweds was to I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) by Whitney Houston, a fun and upbeat choice. The song, written by George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam, was a No.1 hit in 1987 and has become a classic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of the wedding | May 2018 |
| Location | Windsor |
| First dance song | "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)" by Whitney Houston |
| First dance song | "I'm in Love" by Wilson Pickett |
| Entrance song | "Eternal Source of Light Divine" by George Frideric Handel |
| Entrance singer | Soprano Elin Manahan Thomas |
| DJ | Idris Elba |
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What You'll Learn
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's first dance song
Music played a significant role in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in May 2018. The couple chose "Eternal Source of Light Divine", an angelic operatic composition by George Frideric Handel, for Markle's procession as she entered St. George's Chapel. The song was performed by soprano Elin Manahan Thomas, and Harry described it as "incredibly impactful music with no organ whatsoever, with a soloist who actually did the most incredible job, to the orchestra".
For their first dance, the couple chose "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" by Whitney Houston, a fun, upbeat 1980s tune. Markle had previously described the song as her "happy song" in a 2016 interview. The reception was a huge dance party, with Idris Elba as the DJ and George Clooney serving drinks to guests.
The wedding ceremony also featured the Kingdom Gospel Choir singing Ben E. King's "Stand by Me" and Etta James' "This Little Light of Mine" as the couple walked down the aisle as husband and wife.
In the lead-up to the wedding, Markle shared that she wanted the music to be fun, and it seems that the couple's selection of songs for their special day reflected this. From the procession to the first dance, the music choices added to the joy and celebration of the occasion.
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$24.79
The procession song
Music played a significant role in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in May 2018. The royal couple chose a selection of songs that held special meaning for them, including a romantic first dance song and a procession song chosen by Prince Harry for his bride.
For Meghan Markle's procession song, Prince Harry selected the angelic operatic composition, "Eternal Source of Light Divine" by George Frideric Handel. The song, performed by soprano Elin Manahan Thomas, perfectly complemented Markle's entrance into St. George's Chapel, where she wore a stunning Givenchy Haute Couture dress and a 16-foot veil.
Harry explained his choice in the audio guide for the Windsor Castle exhibit, "A Royal Wedding: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex." He shared that he was looking for something unique and stumbled upon this piece of music that captured the entire day's sentiment and his feelings for his bride. Harry added that whenever they hear this music, they are instantly transported back to that special moment.
The song, "Eternal Source of Light Divine," holds a significant role in the royal wedding, as it sets the tone for Meghan Markle's entrance and becomes a memorable part of the ceremony.
The First Dance Song
For their first dance as newlyweds, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex chose an upbeat and romantic song, "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" by Whitney Houston. This classic 1987 hit, written by George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam, had been previously described by Markle as her "happy song" in a 2016 interview.
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The reception
The wedding reception of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a private event attended by 200 of their closest friends and family. The newlyweds wanted the music to be fun, so they chose a more contemporary style for their first dance, stepping away from the traditional slow love song. The couple danced to the upbeat 1987 hit "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)" by Whitney Houston, which Meghan had previously described as her "happy song". The song was written by George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam, who also penned Houston's 1985 No. 1 hit "How Will I Know".
The royal couple's wedding ceremony and reception were filled with music that reflected their personal tastes and the joy of the occasion. The Kingdom Gospel Choir sang Ben E. King’s "Stand by Me" during the ceremony, and Meghan walked down the aisle to Etta James’ "This Little Light of Mine". Harry chose the music for Meghan's procession, selecting the operatic composition "Eternal Source of Light Divine" by George Frideric Handel, which he felt captured the feeling he had for her.
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The wedding's DJ, Idris Elba
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was an unforgettable event, from the iconic carriage ride around Windsor to the couple's first dance to "I'm in Love" by Wilson Pickett. But one surprising detail that later emerged was that the royal couple had a celebrity DJ at their wedding reception: none other than Idris Elba.
Elba, an English actor and musician, revealed how he landed the gig during an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. He explained that he had gotten to know Prince Harry and his father, Prince Charles, through the charity The Prince's Trust, which had supported him when he was a young actor. Harry, having been to a few parties where Elba was the DJ, asked him if he would be free to DJ at his wedding. Elba, surprised and amused, happily accepted the offer.
The reception, held at Frogmore House in Windsor, was attended by 200 of the couple's closest friends and family. It was described as a "huge dance party," with Elba spinning tracks and even George Clooney serving drinks to guests. Meghan and Harry gave humorous and heartfelt speeches, and the newlyweds reportedly had a fun first dance.
Idris Elba, also known as "Big Driis" during his early DJ career, has had a successful music career alongside his acclaimed acting roles. He has released several EPs, collaborated with artists like Jay-Z and Mumford & Sons, and performed at festivals like Coachella. With his deep roots in music and entertainment, it's no wonder that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle chose him to create the perfect musical ambiance for their special day.
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The couple's wedding attire
For their wedding in May 2018, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry selected a range of songs to accompany the various moments of their special day. For Markle's procession, Prince Harry chose the angelic operatic composition, "Eternal Source of Light Divine" by George Frideric Handel. Markle entered St. George's Chapel in a stunning Givenchy Haute Couture dress and 16-foot veil, escorted by her father-in-law, Prince Charles.
The couple also had the Kingdom Gospel Choir sing Ben E. King's "Stand by Me" during the ceremony, and Etta James' "This Little Light of Mine" as they walked down the aisle as newlyweds.
As for their first dance, the couple chose an upbeat, romantic song, "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" by Whitney Houston. Markle had previously described the song as her "happy song" in a 2016 interview. Prince Harry wore a tuxedo for their dance routine, and the couple was surrounded by 200 of their closest friends and family. The private reception followed their public wedding at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.
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Frequently asked questions
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's first dance was to "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)" by Whitney Houston.
Prince Harry chose the angelic operatic composition, "Eternal Source of Light Divine" by George Frideric Handel, for Meghan Markle's walk down the aisle.
The Kingdom Gospel Choir sang Ben E. King’s "Stand by Me" during the ceremony and Etta James’ "This Little Light of Mine" when the couple walked down the aisle as husband and wife.
