THE CHURCH
There were elements of new and old throughout the hour-long ceremony. The sermons While the wedding was officiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and conducted by the Right Reverend David Conner, it was charismatic American bishop Michael Bruce Curry who was the star of the show.
The 65-year-old was the suggestion of the Archbishop of Canterbury, who’s described him as “a stunning preacher”.
His fiery sermon – which he read off an iPad – had social media in a meltdown. In a nod to Meghan’s African-American heritage, he quoted a slave song and drew on the words of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King, with excerpts from his Power of Love speech.
“We must discover the power of love, the redemptive power of love. And when we discover that, we will be able to make this old world a new world. Love is the only way. There’s power in love. Don’t underestimate it. Don’t even oversentimentalise. There is power, power in love.”
His passionate delivery was a breakaway from the usually understated sermons delivered in the Church of England, and observers remarked several members of the royal family appeared to be “stifling giggles”. But it drew praise from around the world too, especially from AfricanAmericans. “It was a perfect blend between Meghan’s culture and the royal culture. As an African-American woman, [I thought] it was made in heaven,” said Karen Long from Houston, Texas.