IS SMASHING THE ROYAL MOULD
13-minute Bishop is pure pulpit showbiz
squeezing each other’s hands and sharing adoring looks.
The same could not be said of senior royals sitting opposite Doria.
They looked awkward and faintly embarrassed – with Charles apparently stifling a giggle as Bishop Curry turned to ask the congregation a question.
The Queen, who greatly Picture: AFP/BBC/ REX/ SHUTTERSTOCK/ PA/REUTERS BISHOP Michael Curry came close to stealing the couple’s limelight with a 13-minute address that was only meant to last six minutes.
The US preacher delivered a passionate and eyebrow-raising speech, often flailing his hands, as he quoted Martin Luther King saying: “There is power in love. Love can heal when nothing else can.”
Guests giggled and sat open-mouthed as the Chicago-born head of the Episcopal Church touched on everything from the Iron Age to slavery and he called Harry and Meghan “my brother, my sister”.
After his performance, which caused a worldwide sensation on social media, he admitted he had meant to talk for only for six minutes but that “it went on longer because there were pauses in there”. admired American preacher Billy Graham, stared at her Order of Service while Philip adopted his trademark puzzled frown. But it must have been a poignant occasion for them. Andrew and Fergie’s daughter Princess Eugenie marries wine merchant Jack Brooksbank at Windsor later this year but this was the last high-profile royal wedding the Queen and Philip are likely to witness. While the Queen had approved the modern twists that Harry and Meghan wanted, she would probably have preferred a more formal occasion. What she Harry and Meghan leaving the chapel
Bishop in full flight made of the trendy “bowl food” served to guests at the reception is unclear.
At least the bride’s wedding ring followed royal tradition.
The Queen had given Meghan a nugget of rare Welsh gold to make it.
Harry, unlike other royal grooms, chose to have a ring too – though his was made of platinum.
CURTSEYED
After signing the marriage register with their new names, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex left the chapel for their carriage procession – and Meghan curtseyed to the Queen.
As they walked through the ancient Quire it may not have crossed their minds that they were walking over the tombs of Henry VIII and his third queen, Jane Seymour. That’s because this young and unique royal couple are focused on the future – and each other.
rachael.bletchly@mirror.co.uk