Harry's Wedding: Coptic Priest's Role

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle featured a diverse range of religious leaders, including Bishop Anba Angaelos, the first Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London. The inclusion of Bishop Angaelos, alongside other notable figures such as Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin and Bishop Michael Curry, highlighted the couple's commitment to recognising Meghan's racial identity and heritage. The presence of these religious leaders, along with a gospel choir and a Black cellist, sent a powerful message of inclusion and diversity to the world, marking a significant step forward for the British monarchy.

Bishop Curry's sermon on love and inclusion

Bishop Michael Curry's sermon at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle focused on the power of love. Curry, the first African-American presiding bishop of the American Episcopal Church, delivered an impassioned sermon to those in attendance and millions more watching across the world.

Curry's sermon, titled "The Power of Love", emphasised the redemptive power of love and encouraged his audience to discover the power of love to make "of this old world a new world". He quoted Martin Luther King Jr. to illustrate his point:

> "We must discover the power of love, the redemptive power of love. And when we do that, we will make of this old world a new world, for love is the only way."

Curry's sermon touched on themes of politics, social justice, civil rights, and quoted the controversial Catholic theologian Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. He spoke about the many forms of love and its ability to change the world:

> "There's power in love to help and heal when nothing else can. There's power in love to lift up and liberate when nothing else will. There's power in love to show us the way to live."

Curry also highlighted the selflessness and sacrifice of love, drawing a parallel with Jesus's sacrifice for the good of others and the world:

> "Jesus did not get an honorary doctorate for dying... He gave up his life, he sacrificed his life, for the good of others, for the good of the other, for the wellbeing of the world... for us."

He concluded his sermon by emphasising the transformative power of love and its ability to bring about positive change in homes, communities, governments, and the world.

The role of Rev. Rose Hudson-Wilkin, the first Black woman chaplain to the Queen

Rev. Rose Hudson-Wilkin is a British Anglican prelate who served as Chaplain to Queen Elizabeth II from 2007 to 2019. She was the first Black woman to hold this role. In this position, she led prayers in the House of Commons daily and was responsible for the pastoral care of members and staff of the Palace of Westminster.

Hudson-Wilkin was born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and was raised by her father and aunt. At the age of 14, she decided to join the ministry, later studying at the Church Army college in the UK. She was ordained as a deacon in 1991 and a priest in 1994. She served as a priest in Hackney, London, for 16 and a half years. In addition to her role as Chaplain to the Queen, she also served as Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons from 2010 to 2019.

In 2019, Hudson-Wilkin became the first Black woman to become a Church of England bishop when she was consecrated as the Bishop of Dover. As a bishop, she has the responsibility of overseeing the diocese of Canterbury on behalf of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Throughout her career, Hudson-Wilkin has been an advocate for diversity and inclusion in the Church of England. She has also been recognised for her contributions, receiving the Order of Distinction from the Jamaican Government and being appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her service to young people and the Church.

The significance of a Coptic Orthodox Archbishop at a royal wedding

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a significant moment for the monarchy, as it signalled a new day for the royal family. The couple ensured that the introduction of Blackness into the royal family would be noticed. This was reflected in the ceremony, which included the first Black woman to hold the office of Chaplain to the Queen, Rev. Rose Hudson-Wilkin, and the first Black cellist to win BBC's Young Musician of the Year, Sheku Kanneh-Mason. The ceremony also featured a gospel choir, which sang "Stand By Me" and ended with a medley of "This Little Light of Mine" and "Amen".

The wedding ceremony also included the participation of Bishop Anba Angaelos, the first Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London, who led the prayers after the blessing of the marriage. Archbishop Angaelos was born in Egypt and emigrated to Australia as a child. He returned to Egypt in 1990, where he was consecrated a monk at the Monastery of St Bishoy in Wadi-El-Natroun by Pope Shenouda III. He was delegated to the United Kingdom in 1995 and has served as the Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London since November 2017.

The presence of a Coptic Orthodox Archbishop at a royal wedding is significant as it represents the inclusion of diverse religious and cultural traditions. The Coptic Orthodox Church is one of the oldest Christian denominations, with a rich history and tradition. By including Archbishop Angaelos in the ceremony, the royal family acknowledged and celebrated the diversity and inclusiveness of the modern British society.

Furthermore, the participation of Archbishop Angaelos in the royal wedding also highlights the importance of religious freedom and tolerance. The Archbishop has been recognised for his services to international religious freedom, receiving the Order of the British Empire from Queen Elizabeth in 2015. His presence at the wedding sends a message of acceptance and respect for different faiths and beliefs, which is especially significant given the global audience that a royal wedding attracts.

In conclusion, the significance of a Coptic Orthodox Archbishop at a royal wedding, specifically that of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, lies in its representation of diversity, inclusion, and religious freedom. It reflects the modern British society's embrace of different cultures and faiths, while also acknowledging the rich history and tradition of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

The introduction of Blackness into the royal family

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle marked a significant moment in the history of the British royal family, introducing Blackness into the monarchy. The carefully curated ceremony, reflecting Meghan's racial identity, featured prominent Black individuals who contributed to the festivities.

One notable presence was Bishop Michael Curry, the first African-American to head the US Episcopal Church. Bishop Curry delivered a powerful and entertaining sermon on the transformative power of love, challenging the audience to acknowledge their interdependence and responsibility to create a just world. His address, steeped in the Black preaching tradition, resonated with many and symbolised the introduction of Blackness into the royal family.

Additionally, the wedding ceremony included the participation of Rev. Rose Hudson-Wilkin, a Black Church of England priest who serves as Chaplain to the Queen. She is the first Black woman to hold this office, making her presence at the wedding all the more significant.

Another notable figure was Bishop Anba Angaelos, the first Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London, who led the prayers after the blessing of the marriage. Bishop Angaelos, born in Egypt and representing the Coptic Orthodox Church in the UK, added to the diverse representation at the wedding.

The musical choices also reflected Meghan's heritage, with the Kingdom Choir, a group of black Britons specialising in gospel music, performing "Stand By Me." The ceremony concluded with a medley of "This Little Light of Mine" and "Amen," further emphasising the introduction of Blackness into the royal family.

The inclusion of these individuals and cultural elements in the royal wedding was a deliberate choice by the couple to celebrate Meghan's racial identity and a gesture of profound significance in an institution that has traditionally been predominantly white.

The symbolism of the musical choices at the wedding

The musical choices at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding were rich with symbolism. The couple's choice of processional music, "Eternal Source of Light Divine," performed by Welsh soprano Elin Manahan Thomas, was particularly meaningful. Originally composed by Handel in 1713 as a birthday ode for Queen Anne, the song celebrated the beginning of peace after a decade of conflict. This choice may have been Prince Harry's way of blessing the nuptials by invoking Queen Anne's happy and successful marriage.

The prelude to the ceremony featured a large contingent of British composers, including Elgar, Vaughan Williams, and Peter Warlock, conducted by Christopher Warren Green. The orchestra performed pieces such as Elgar's "Salut d'Amour" and "Serenade for Strings," Vaughan Williams' "Fantasia on Greensleeves," and Warlock's "Capriol Suite."

The ceremony also included a gospel choir, which performed Stand By Me and a medley of "This Little Light of Mine" and "Amen," reflecting Meghan's African-American heritage and the American influence on the day.

The wedding homily was delivered by Bishop Michael Curry, the first African-American to head the US Episcopal Church. Bishop Curry's powerful sermon on the transformative power of love and justice captured the world's attention, bringing a progressive theological voice to the royal wedding.

The musical selections and clergy participating in the wedding ceremony symbolized the couple's commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and love, setting the tone for a new day in the monarchy.

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