Meghan baptised in secret ceremony
MEGHAN Markle has been baptised into the Church of England in a secret ceremony with Prince Harry at her side.
The intimate 45-minute service was conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury at the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace on Tuesday evening.
They were joined by Prince Charles and Camilla.
The ceremony was a closely guarded secret, with only a handful of royal aides involved. Ms Markle, 36, had asked the 62-year-old Archbishop, Justin Welby, to lead the service after forming a close bond with him in recent weeks, as he instructed her Love: Harry and Meghan on the rites and sacraments of the Church of England. Her Baptism was followed immediately by her confirmation, which means she will be able to join Harry, 33, at Holy Communion.
Divorcée Ms Markle did not need to become an Anglican to marry Harry in church, but she made it clear she had chosen to be baptised and confirmed out of respect for the Queen Elizabeth’s role as the head of the Church of England.
Ms Markle – who was raised multi-faith – and Harry will marry on May 19 at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. Tuesday’s service observed the full ritual of the church with holy water from the River Jordan poured on Ms Markle’s head from the royal family font.
In accordance with tradition, Ms Markle had two sponsors, the equivalent of godparents, to support her in the Baptism.
It is understood one supporter was a close female friend. The Chapel Royal choir of six Gentlemen-inOrdinary and ten Children of the Chapel – the oldest continuous musical organisation in the world – performed throughout the service.
It is understood there were 18 guests who, after the ceremony, walked to Clarence House, where Charles and Camilla hosted a dinner.
Church guidelines suggest that Ms Markle may be interviewed about her divorce from Trevor Engelson, a film producer. If such a conversation were to occur, the minister would ask if there had been ‘sufficient healing of the personal and social wounds’ from the divorce.
Holy water from River Jordan