Prince Harry and Meghan Markle: Church Service, Carriage Procession - May 19, 2018

[Moonmaiden23]

Uh

It lacked oomph for a BRF wedding. Other than Harry in uniform this could have been the wedding of a minor cousin.

Even the vows. “ I Harry take you Meghan”.? What’s up with that.

In 2011 it was “I William Arthur Philip Louis, take thee Catherine Elizabeth”.

If the Harry/Meghan ceremony did lack anything it sure as heck wasn't "oomph".

The Cambridge nuptials were more traditional, certainly and on a personal level I found it beautiful.

But for drama and pathos if nothing else the Sussex ceremony had more than enough of what you call OOMPH . The bride looked incredible and the groom could not take his eyes off of her and appeared close to tears.

The preacher gave a theatrical, wildly inappropriate address.

But the dignity and composure of the Royal bridal couple themselves saved it for me.

THIS is one British Royal wedding no one will forget!

 

[alvinking]

i don't know if this has been said and noticed, but at the chapel in the pews, people are saying that Prince Harry left an empty seat, supposedly for Diana. Indeed, when looking at the first row, there were an empty seat; then William, Charles, Camilla, and Catherine.
The Queen and Prince Philip were seated in the second row

 

[Princess of Durham]

I think the thing that is getting lost here for some posters is that Bishop Curry is black/African American, but he is not the bishop of an African American church. He is the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, which does not have a tradition of spontaneous responses during sermons. He was out of step with the expectations for the guests at St. George's this morning, but he would also have been out of step with 90% of the Episcopal churches in the USA.

In most Episcopal churches, except for the very few that are on the charismatic end of the spectrum, the reaction would have been very similar to what we saw at St. George's Chapel: a mixture of amazement, discomfort, and disengagement.

And he really, really ought to know that because he certainly knows that most of his flock in the USA do not do sermons like that.

Exactly! I really can't understand he "presentation". Very unusual in the US. I think he got carried away.

 

[RoyalHighness 2002]

i don't know if this has been said and noticed, but at the chapel in the pews, people are saying that Prince Harry left an empty seat, supposedly for Diana. Indeed, when looking at the first row, there were an empty seat; then William, Charles, Camilla, and Catherine.
The Queen and Prince Philip were seated in the second row

That was so the Queen could be seen, as this is not a state event she wasn't really performing an official role at this wedding, so there was no need for her to sit in the front. But somebody could not block her so it was left open.

 

[Nico]

i don't know if this has been said and noticed, but at the chapel in the pews, people are saying that Prince Harry left an empty seat, supposedly for Diana. Indeed, when looking at the first row, there were an empty seat; then William, Charles, Camilla, and Catherine.
The Queen and Prince Philip were seated in the second row

There's always an empty seat in front of the Queen, as you never turn your back on the sovereign (see Charles and Camilla 's wedding for the same configuration).
The Diana theory is nice, but a bit far fetched....

https://media.gettyimages.com/photo...he-duchess-of-cornwall-st-picture-id618244478

 

[carlota]

who chose mccurry as priest?! looked totally awkward given the seriousness of british services.

 

[Ista]

But did they ? Several posters here have suggested that such a peroration isn't that typical in the American Episcopalian Church, that it is more typical of other sects there.
I'm unfamiliar with the American Churches, so aren't sure, but , just possibly it was more ott than expected ?

I made a comment about this. This kind of sermon is not common at the majority of Episcopal churches. There are some churches that engage in this kind of more emotive preaching but it is not the norm, and in a majority of Episcopal congregations this sermon, especially at a wedding, would have been greeted in much the same way it was greeted here, except, hopefully, with more courtesy.

I have no idea if this was what Meghan and Harry were expecting. Meghan had the faint, fixed smile that in most people would suggest discomfort, but who knows? Maybe it was exactly what they wanted.

It was odd, and I thought it was too long, theatrical, and self-indulgent, but I wasn't the bride, so I'm putting it down to differing tastes and moving along.

 

[Marchesina]

A wonderful, tiny detail can be found in Troian Bellisario’s instagram story - they handed all the women slippers after the ceremony (or maybe after lunch?), so they could take off the high heels if they needed.

Really amazing idea, definitely using this during my wedding!

I think that was back at the hotel, because there's a previous IG story where you can see people getting on a bus in Windsor castle's courtyard.

 

[Sun Lion]

Wonderful wedding for me -

Great to have it live/direct at 7.00pm on a Saturday night - no staying up late on a work/school night for a change.

High definition coverage - wish we had that for some of those more long ago weddings which look so blurred now in comparison.

Stars of the wedding - the weather, Windsor Castle, the floral arrangements and Ms Ragland in both her outfit and demenour. All perfect.

Best laugh out loud moments - being told, (by Angela Rippon I think, reporting on Australian TV), that Harry and Meghan's day was good at 21 degrees, but poor William and Catherine had to contend with a "scorching" 24 degrees for their wedding.

And being on the computer during the sermon, only to look up at the moment the cameras focused on Elton John. Maybe that's Elton's resting face, but a real laugh out loud moment for me.

Loved all the wonderful outfits.

I'm going to have to pay more attention to Mr Tanna's tweets. Thanks for the heads up Zaira - you got it.

Disappointments for me were - Meghan's hairstyle. Right from the get-go her hair looked un-professional. Lovely close-ups of her, but bits of hair down the side of her face, coming out at the back and showing up against her veil.

And the veil - even getting caught when she and Harry re-appeared and she had to give it a good yank. Also, why was there no carpet up the steps - gown dragging, getting dirty/damaged.

Suprised I didn't see more joy on Charles face - maybe I missed it changing channels.

Catherine looking so much better that at her sister's wedding - fuller face, better hair/hat/outfit.

Sarah well -dressed, doing that walk down to the chapel on her own, not lost in a group of other people.

Zara - wonderful skin, makeup, hair colour. Looked really beautiful.

Too many shots of Victoria Beckham - nervous? Didn't like that the camera picked up her nipples as she walked down. Wrong fabric? Not a good look.

Amal Clooney, again so many shots and a lot of the time catching her putting her hand up under her veil - did the hat have a scratchy/uncomfortable bit sitting on her forhead.

Camera lingering too long on Mr Middleton as he looked at the chapel ceiling.

Not enough time to see the children - looked like a fast pace up the aisle. Well-wrangled though, well done mums.

Guests looked a bit squashed together on camera.

Sad look on Chelsey where the camera again lingered a bit too long and too often.

Wonderful event, great coverage - though I too watched a lot with the sound turned down to avoid the commentary.

 

[O-H Anglophile]

Aren't they laughing at the fact they said I will, not I do...

No, the laughs were definitely because of the crowd reactions outside.

 

[acdc1]

When will the official photographs be revealed?

 

[Curbside]

Ha! I was saying that when people were getting their tiaras in a twist about there not being a fruitcake.
eta: I guess we can't joke about that. Although in all seriousness, I don't know why anyone would be offended by something that has deep and meaningful symbolism. And I don't even care for the gesture on a personal level.

Of course, I was joking with my original post.

What I would say is that Meghan comes to this marriage as a woman in her late thirties, who has been around the block and lived a very full life before she met Harry. She comes from a beautiful tradition that allowed her (our) ancestors to survive in captivity, in very difficult conditions.

Part of that tradition involves gospel music, long-winded, thought-provoking sermons that require a response to make sure the congregation is paying attention.

If the sermon made people uncomfortable, this is not a bad thing. Good preachers should make you uncomfortable at times.

Meghan has stated that she is proud of her heritage. I love that she was confident in her identity and what she wanted for her wedding, to basically insist on her heritage being represented.

 

[caethi]

The American bishop was not cringe worthy. He was sincere and emphatic. I don’t think Harry was embarrassed. To assume so is pure supposition based on nothing more than reading a look, which could have meant many things. I did suspect that there would be some pearl-clutching at anything in the service that seemed different. He was a tad long. When he said “we have to get you married” I figured he saw that his time was up, but then he went on a bit. He was a breath of fresh air. This is a marriage of two equals, so the culture and sensibilities of each person should be represented. The gospel choir was sublime and clearly the song was a choice of the couple and meant something to them. The cellist was spectacular ( so says a friend, who is a professional symphony cellist).

 

[O-H Anglophile]

Really raising the standard as far as Royal weddings go...

Oh good grief, I find this reaching for things to criticize.

 

[DuchessMia]

The American bishop was not cringe worthy. He was sincere and emphatic. I don’t think Harry was embarrassed. To assume so is pure supposition based on nothing more than reading a look, which could have meant many things. I did suspect that there would be some pearl-clutching at anything in the service that seemed different. He was a tad long. When he said “we have to get you married” I figured he saw that his time was up, but then he went on a bit. He was a breath of fresh air. This is a marriage of two equals, so the culture and sensibilities of each person should be represented. The gospel choir was sublime and clearly the song was a choice of the couple and meant something to them. The cellist was spectacular ( so says a friend, who is a professional symphony cellist).

Well said.

 

[Countessmeout]

When will the official photographs be revealed?

If they follow suit with the Cambridges, tomorrow.

Here is the Cambridge photos released on April 30

Royal Wedding: Official Portraits of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge | PEOPLE.com

 

[Juliette2]

i don't know if this has been said and noticed, but at the chapel in the pews, people are saying that Prince Harry left an empty seat, supposedly for Diana. Indeed, when looking at the first row, there were an empty seat; then William, Charles, Camilla, and Catherine.
The Queen and Prince Philip were seated in the second row

I think the seat was empty because no one is supposed to sit in front of the Queen. I noticed that when she arrived she thought she was going to be seated in the first raw and then someone redirected her. I doubt (but I may be wrong...) that the RF would have done such a cheesy thing no matter how the groom must have missed her mother.

I made a comment about this. This kind of sermon is not common at the majority of Episcopal churches. There are some churches that engage in this kind of more emotive preaching but it is not the norm, and in a majority of Episcopal congregations this sermon, especially at a wedding, would have been greeted in much the same way it was greeted here, except, hopefully, with more courtesy.

I have no idea if this was what Meghan and Harry were expecting. Meghan had the faint, fixed smile that in most people would suggest discomfort, but who knows? Maybe it was exactly what they wanted.

It was odd, and I thought it was too long, theatrical, and self-indulgent, but I wasn't the bride, so I'm putting it down to differing tastes and moving along.

I don't know...I agree that Meghan had a fixed smile, but I'm not sure if it was to mask discomfort or just nerves. I wouldn't be surprised if it was Oprah who suggested him...I don't want to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but I feel like someone "infiltrated" him!! Whatever you think, the bride and groom did not look like a couple who expected that sermon!

 

[loonytick]

This may be my favorite royal wedding to date, with one exception. The service was lovely and more meaningful than I’m used to seeing, with top-notch execution. How especially nice to include a message that actually said something instead of the bloodless, forgettable wastes of time that are often the norm! The I hadn’t liked the idea of Charles escorting Meghan, but I’m glad to admit I was wrong; it turned out to be a sweet gesture and he looked so pleased to offer her his arm. Harry and Meghan both looked thrilled to be there with each other and happy with the service itself. The glee on the pageboy’s face when the trumpets sounded! The gorgeous chapel! I could go on.

If only certain members of his family had bothered to act like something other than snotty brats during the sermon. Beatrice in particular, actually leaning over and snickering to Eugenie, was such a childish embarrassment. I lost a lot of respect for Zara and Mike, too, acting from the moment they walked in like it was the last place they wanted to be, then retreating into their own little world and all but canoodling there in the quire near the end. They knew there were cameras there, but I guess they just didn’t care.

 

[Mbruno]

There's always an empty seat in front of the Queen, as you never turn your back on the sovereign (see Charles and Camilla 's wedding for the same configuration).
The Diana theory is nice, but a bit far fetched....

https://media.gettyimages.com/photo...he-duchess-of-cornwall-st-picture-id618244478

Well, an empty seat was definitely left for Diana at William’s wedding.

 

[Juliette2]

The American bishop was not cringe worthy. He was sincere and emphatic. I don’t think Harry was embarrassed. To assume so is pure supposition based on nothing more than reading a look, which could have meant many things. I did suspect that there would be some pearl-clutching at anything in the service that seemed different. He was a tad long. When he said “we have to get you married” I figured he saw that his time was up, but then he went on a bit. He was a breath of fresh air. This is a marriage of two equals, so the culture and sensibilities of each person should be represented. The gospel choir was sublime and clearly the song was a choice of the couple and meant something to them. The cellist was spectacular ( so says a friend, who is a professional symphony cellist).

Well, if your entire family (your brother, cousins, etc.) is embarrassed (as it clearly was!!), maybe it is not so far-fetched to think that you might feel some discomfort, too, if anything because you know exactly how they're feeling and what they're thinking at the moment! But we are all entitled to our opinion and I'm not trying to convince you, I swear.

 

[O-H Anglophile]

1. You are in Church, performing a Royal Wedding in front of the Queen and the entire Royal Family. A spiritual stand is required. Stand-up comedy belongs somewhere else.
2. Mentioning actual companies by NAME (Facebook and Instagram, both owned by one man btw) at such event is inappropriate and vulgar.
3. Using an iPad in such setting is at the very least impolite.
4. the jokes were EMBARRASSING. He was even waiting for the laugh, he's so used to it. Going to church in the States I can confirm is now just as going to a comedy club. Unfortunately, I'm familiar with it.
5. Bringing up slavery? Mentioning MLK?
6. Glorifying technology (the Industrial Revolution! Fire allowed your cars to bring you here today!)...what's the point?? The true message about Love was drowned in embarrassing platitudes and fake tones.

1. The royal family is not as serious and without appreciation of humor as many royal watchers. Humor works to better send a message sometimes. It wasn't a standup comedy routine.
2. Facebook and Instagram are forces that have and are changing the world, whether for good or bad. Acknowledging that is not inappropriate.
3. Many ministers use ipads or tablets these days and it is no more impolite than handwritten or typed notes.
4. Whatever
5. Mentioning slavery or MLK is inappropriate? Why?
6. I think the point was despite all the changes and benefits technology has and is providing us--LOVE and God are still the most important.

The couple must have been familiar with his work in the past. If not then why invite him to speak at the wedding? To be honest, I feel that this whole minister thing is being blown out of proportion.

The Archbishop of Canterbury suggested Rev. Curry to the couple.

 

[nightsky]

Well, if your entire family (your brother, cousins, etc.) is embarrassed (as it clearly was!!), maybe it is not so far-fetched to think that you might feel some discomfort, too, if anything because you know exactly how they're feeling and what they're thinking at the moment! But we are all entitled to our opinion and I'm not trying to convince you, I swear.

I’m lost on what there is to be embarrassed about. Who cares if they didn’t like sermon. It’s not their wedding. They allowed Harry and Meghan to plan their own wedding. It was a very personal ceremony. For all we know, Meghan loved the sermon.

 

[Juliette2]

I’m lost on what there is to be embarrassed about.

I understand you're not the only one and I don't know what else to add besides what I've written in previous posts. Many, MANY people on this forum and elsewhere share my opinion (and yours, too, of course) but if you disagree you disagree...

Who cares if they didn’t like sermon. It’s not their wedding. They allowed Harry and Meghan to plan their own wedding. It was a very personal ceremony. For all we know, Meghan loved the sermon.

I think they do care, honestly...they also have an important, official role in Great Britain so, whether you like it or not, they should be sensitive to what the "subjects" think. And you're probably right, Meghan possibly did love the sermon, but if you televise your wedding I have a right to say that I found the choice or Rev. Curry appalling. And if he was chosen because someone suggested him (even if that someone is the Archibishop of Canterbury) it's even worse...then you really didn't know what you were getting.

 

[moby]

I think people are not giving the royals enough credit by suggesting their efforts to keep a straight face and baffled looks meant they were not comfortable with how the sermon was delivered. I think the reactions were more like a "what in the world is he on about." I had the same reaction as them throughout, at first getting excited to hear the sermon as he seemed so eloquent then poof, all show, no substance. It sounded like some random person rambling very cheesy and confusing things. Then again the only time I get engaged in Church (being Catholic, I've come across lots of kinds of priests though of course none as enthusiastic as Rev. Curry) is when it's a Jesuit giving a smart, thought-provoking homily with lots of heart.

 

[Alliec76]

People had a problem with the minister mentioning slavery and MLK? Really? People are really reaching. I thought when he talked about how slaves even in their captivity kept their faith, kept their love, it was so poignant, because sitting right there is a woman descended from those very slaves sitting in a position her ancestors (my ancestors) never would have dreamed. If that made people uncomfortable so be it. It was a very distinctly African-American form of preaching. They knew what they were getting when they asked him to speak.

I thought the whole service was beautiful, from start to finish. It was personal, it was joyful, it was a perfect representation of both Harry and Meghan. When they walked out of the church and you could hear the choir singing Amen/This Little Light of Mine, it gave me chills. It was all so moving. I was definitely disappointed in some of the smirking and giggling during the sermon, but I wasn't surprised. Anyway it was made up for by Oprah doing the "black church lady sway" when he was preaching! LOL!

 

[pooky929]

iTunes has the entire wedding music available for download. Technology. I just bought it!

 

[Madame Verseau]

Overall I loved the wedding. Meghan's gown was beautiful, the minister took too long he became a headline. Question - why didn't Harry and Meaghan bow and curtsy to the queen? I didn't like the cameras homing in on Chelsy, and now stories are making her look like a Bitter Betty.

 

[gerry]

I don’t think it is a matter of faith or not, Reverend Curry’s address was simply uninspiring, boring and repetitive. And his over-the-top delivery didn’t help either.

I was raised in a very religious family, but I don’t consider myself particularly religious today either. Still, I appreciate when someone makes a deep and meaningful theological argument, or simply an argument that is particularly significant or suited to the occasion. I didn’t see any of those in Rev Curry’s address.

Then you missed his point. He was inspired, as he said at the end of his admittedly improvised sermon (always dangerous, by the way!) by the French philosopher/theologian Pierre Teilhard de Chardin:
"Someday, after mastering the winds, the waves, the tides and gravity, we shall harness for God the energies of love, and then, for a second time in the history of the world, man will have discovered fire." Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
I loved Rev. Curry's sermon and appreciated his efforts at coaxing a reaction from stiff British upper lips.
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/pierre_teilhard_de_chardi_114239

 

[pooky929]

It certainly wasn't her choice! That's what happens when you let the kids make their own choices... ?

Archbishop of Canterbury invited him,not Harry and Meghan. They never even met him until today according to an interview he gave along with Archbishop.
Judging from Prince Harry and Meghan's faces they really enjoyed his message and so did I. No one went to sleep at least.

 

[TLLK]

Overall I loved the wedding. Meghan's gown was beautiful, the minister took too long he became a headline. Question - why didn't Harry and Meaghan bow and curtsy to the queen? I didn't like the cameras homing in on Chelsy, and now stories are making her look like a Bitter Betty.

They did bow/curtsy but with the camera angle from above, we weren't able to see it happen.