Bishop’s surprise sermon
CONTROVERSIAL American bishop Michael Curry raised eyebrows and prompted giggles with a rousing speech in the chapel.
The African-american leader of the Episcopal Church waved his arms as he spoke passionately about the power of love.
Unlike previous royal wedding speakers, the bishop’s 12-minute speech embraced worldwide issues including poverty, war and hunger rather than just the marriage.
Camilla and Kate shared a look of bemusement and even Harry and Meghan grinned after the speech went past five minutes. The choirboys erupted in giggles as the bishop encouraged them to “discover love”.
The Most Rev Curry opened with the words of murdered American civil rights leader Martin Luther King: “We must discover the power of love, the redemptive power of love.
“And when we do that, we will be able to make of this old world a new world. Love is the only way.”
Despite bemusement in the chapel, the social media mob loved the speech.
Spectator magazine editor Fraser Nelson said: “If Pippa was the unexpected star of Kate’s wedding, Michael Curry is the star of this one. Wonderful, wonderful sermon.”
BBC broadcaster Jeremy Vine said: “The preacher is doing 50 in a 30 zone and it’s brilliant.”
Last night the Rev Curry admitted he got carried away and said: “I thought it was going to be six minutes, It was a little longer than that because there were pauses.”