Breaking the mould Tradition meets modernity
In a ceremony that mixed English and American culture, US actress Meghan Markle has married Prince Harry in a medieval chapel at Windsor Castle.
PRINCE Harry and his American actress bride Meghan Markle married on Saturday in a dazzling ceremony that blended ancient English ritual with African American culture, infusing the 1000yearold British monarchy with a blast of modernity.
In a chapel at Windsor Castle that 39 English kings and queens have called home since 1066, the couple exchanged vows in front of royals and celebrities, watched from afar by a global TV audience of many millions.
The newlyweds are to be officially known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex after Queen Elizabeth bestowed those titles on them.
Wearing a veil, diamond tiara and a sleek dress with a long train, the duchess was accompanied up the aisle of St George’s Chapel by Harry’s father, Prince Charles, before she and Prince Harry exchanged vows and were proclaimed husband and wife.
The couple kissed on the steps of the 15thcentury chapel, and then embarked on a tour of Windsor in a horsedrawn carriage.
The union of Prince Harry (33), a former royal wild child and sixth in line to the British throne, and Ms Meghan (36), a divorcee whose mother is AfricanAmerican and father is white, was like no other the royal family has seen before.
The ceremony was typical of royal weddings in many ways. The service was conducted by the Dean of Windsor while Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, declared the couple man and wife, beneath the banners of the knights of the
Order of the
Garter, the world’s oldest chivalric group dating back to 1348.
But throughout the wedding, there were significant breaks with tradition, in particular when American Episcopalian bishop Michael Bruce Curry delivered a passionate sermon that was a far cry from the sober tones of the Church of England.
‘‘There’s power in love,’’ he boomed at a congregation that included the Queen, senior royals and celebrities ranging from Oprah Winfrey to George Clooney and David Beckham.
‘‘Do not underestimate it. Anyone who has ever fallen in love knows what I mean,’’ he said.
As well as traditional Church of England anthems and delicate English choral music, the ceremony featured a gospel choir singing Stand by Me, the 1960s hit by American soul singer Ben E. King.
The bride’s mother, Doria Ragland (61) accompanied her daughter to the chapel in a vintage Rolls Royce and shed tears of joy during the ceremony.
The duchess entered the chapel unescorted, in a wedding dress created by British designer Clare Waight Keller, of French fashion house Givenchy.
The duke, looking nervous, appeared to say: ‘‘Thanks Pa’’ to his father, and ‘‘You look amazing!’’ to his bride.
In further breaks with tradition, the duchess did not vow to obey her husband; while the duke wore a wedding ring, unlike other senior male royals such as his older brother, Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge.
In the streets of Windsor, 20km west of London, the enthusiasm from the vast crowds was overwhelming.
Air traffic controllers for nearby Heathrow Airport, one of the world’s busiest, even closed the airspace over the town for 15 minutes before the ceremony to avoid marring proceedings with the roar of lowflying aircraft.
Among the celebrity guests were tennis ace Serena Williams and British actor Idris Elba, two of Harry’s exgirlfriends and the siblings of Harry’s late mother Princess Diana.
Her sister, Lady Jane Fellowes, delivered the reading and the chapel was garlanded with white roses, the favourite flowers of Diana, who died in a car crash in Paris in 1997.
Elton John, who sang at Diana’s funeral, performed at the wedding reception. — Reuters
Diana died when Harry was just 12, killed in a car crash in Paris.
Meghan switched from her stunning elegant, formal, purewhite wedding gown, by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, to a glamorous lily white halter neck by Stella McCartney for the blacktie evening do (left).
The US star — now a duchess and HRH — gave a speech at the party, which was hosted by her fatherinlaw, the Prince of Wales.
Harry drove his new wife from Windsor Castle in a silver blue classic convertible Jaguar EType Concept Zero (below) which was originally manufactured in 1968 and has been converted to electric power.
The happy couple waved and smiled as they headed to meet their friends at the celebration.
Meghan wore shoes from Aquazurra made in silky satin, with nude mesh, and soles painted in baby blue. Her hair, in a relaxed up do, was styled for the reception by George Northwood.
The car’s number plate bore the date of the wedding — E190518.