Archbishop of Canterbury reveals ring drop fears ahead of royal wedding
The Archbishop of Canterbury has admitted one thought dominates his preparations for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding later this year: “I must not drop the ring.”
The Most Rev Justin Welby will officiate the highly anticipated ceremony on 19 May, but, even as the most senior cleric in the Church of Eng- land, he said he still experiences concerns.
He said that forgetting the order of the wedding vows or misplacing the ring – both mishaps he has suffered before – are possibilities which he will strive to avoid.
And, from a career perspective, the stakes could hardly be higher – the grandmother of the groom is the only person senior to him in the Church.
The Queen is the supreme governor of the Church of England and this week gave her formal consent to the marriage of Harry and Ms Markle, an American actress.
Mr Welby said: “Unlike recent weddings, I must not drop the ring. And I must not forget to get the vows in the right order, as I did at the rehearsal for one of my children’s weddings.
“At the heart of it are two people who have fallen in love with each other, who have committed their lives to each other with the most beautiful words and profound thoughts, who do it in the presence of God, through Jesus Christ, you pray for them to have the strength to fulfil their vows.
“And you seek to do it in a way that respects their integrity and honours their commitment.”
The Archbishop reportedly sparked panic at a service last year when it became apparent one of the wedding rings had slipped from his grasp. It was eventually located by the bride under a chair, it was previously reported.
Ms Markle recently made her own preparations for the wedding when she was formally introduced to the Anglican faith.
She was baptised and confirmed into the church during a ceremony led by the Archbishop of Canterbury at the Chapel Royal. “It was very special, it was beautiful and sincere,” Mr Welby said.