DIVERSITY AT HEART OF MODERN ROYAL WEDDING
ROYAL weddings have long been occasions steeped in tradition and ceremony but when Harry and Meghan joined in marriage it was diversity that shone through.
The influence of African-American culture was apparent throughout the service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor, from the rousing address of black Episcopal Bishop Michael Curry to the spine-tingling performance of a gospel choir.
Such departures from the conventional Church of England wedding indicates the impact Meghan has had on the House of Windsor.
For she is far from a conventional royal bride.
Born in Los Angeles, California, to a white father and African-American mother, Meghan rose through the world of showbusiness with a plum role in the TV series Suits.
By the time she met Harry she was a divorcee and yesterday became the first mixed-race member of the Royal Family.
Few things illustrated the disparate cultural beginnings of bride and groom better than the religious figures who appeared at their wedding.
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby officiated with the measured solemnity common to Church of England services while Chicagoborn Bishop Curry riveted the congregation with a fiery delivery of his “Power of Love” address.
His speech touched on issues including slavery and poverty, even channeling the spirit of another celebrated black orator, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
While the bishop’s performance may have been a break from the norm for the Royal Family it delighted viewers in America.
US journalist Elamin Abdelmahmoud tweeted: “A black reverend preaching to British royalty about the resilience of faith during slavery is 10000000% not what I thought I was waking up for, the royal wedding is good.”
Former British tabloid editor Piers Morgan added: “Wow. Still reeling from Rev Curry. What a moment. What a guy! He may have gone on a bit long but as my youngest son just rang to say: ‘Dad, imagine being a black American watching this wedding? It’s historic – and brilliant.’ He’s right.”
The passionate speech had many people reaching for their handkerchiefs; however, for some it highlighted the slight culture gap between Americans and Brits.
Some online commentators joked that the Royal Family were somewhat blindsided by the emotional address.
American actor Josh Gad tweeted: “Watching the Brits watch an American preacher do his thing in Windsor is giving me life right now. It’s like watching Metallica do a concert at the Old Globe.”
Commentator Hugo Rifkind tweeted: “I love how the entire British Royal Family is visibly dying of embarrassment because somebody is shouting openly about love at a wedding.”
Jeremy Clarkson was unenthusiastic about the length of the speech, tweeting: “What if this American vicar never stops?”
Meanwhile, television presenter Alison Hammond claimed Curry was “giving me life”, while actor Miranda Hart said: “This wedding is the best TV show I have ever seen. I have cried, cringed, laughed and cried some more and there was one scene that was awesome ‘but just a bit too long’.”
The Bishop’s address didn’t just inspire fun reactions, however, and some Twitter users pointed out that it was a historical milestone.
Angela Griffin wrote: “Not sure I’ve ever seen so many people of colour involved in any royal event ever. Feeling quite proud watching with my 10-year-old mixed race daughter”
Staples of gospel music sat alongside traditional church hymns on the order of service.
Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir captivated viewers around the world with a performance of Stand By Me, written by African-American singer Ben E King, and This Little Light Of Mine, a tune which coloured the sound of the civil rights move- ment.
Many wrote online that the performance had reduced them to tears.
Ms Gibson later told Sky News: “Both of those are gospel staples you know, they are very well known. Etta James has done this arrangement.
“We really enjoyed it, we really rocked up to that one you know? It was great fun.”
Praising the address of Bishop Curry, she added: “It’s what we’re actually used to that’s the flavour of preachers we’re used to, so we were getting very excited.”
As the couple slipped away for the signing of the register during the service another talented black musician, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, took centre stage. The British cellist – winner of BBC Young Musician 2016 – held the attention of the chapel as he performed several pieces which had been selected by the palace.
The 19-year-old later said: “It’s such an honour and it’s something that you could never expect.”
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