Meghan Markle baptised by Archbishop in secret service at St James’s
Former actress joins Anglican Church in private ceremony ahead of her wedding to Prince Harry
MEGHAN MARKLE has been baptised by the Archbishop of Canterbury using holy water from the River Jordan ahead of her wedding to Prince Harry, it was reported last night.
The couple were joined at what was described as an “intimate service” by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, in a move that formally introduces the divorced American ac- tress to the Anglican Church.
Prince Harry and Ms Markle, 36, will wed on May 19 this year at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. However, the baptism, which is understood to have taken place on Tuesday at the Chapel Royal, was said to be a much more private affair, according to the Daily Mail, with only royal aides in attendance too. Last night, Kensington Palace declined to comment but reports earlier this week suggested Ms Markle’s baptism was due to take place this month. She attended a Catholic school in Los Angeles but is Protestant.
It was claimed that Ms Markle requested Justin Welby, 62, to lead the service having formed close ties with him during her time to date in the UK.
The Daily Mail reported that her confirmation followed, meaning she can join the Prince, 33, at Holy Communion if she desired. The water that was used for the baptism was said to have come from the Royal Family font.
The Duchess of Cambridge is also baptised but had a private confirmation after her engagement to Prince William.
The Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace was also the setting for Prince George’s christening, and was the location where Princess Diana’s body lay before her funeral.
After the wedding ceremony, it was recently revealed that among the first people to congratulate the couple will be some of the 2,640 charity workers, community champions and local schoolchildren who are being invited to watch the wedding from inside the walls of Windsor Castle.
♦ The Prince of Wales has warned the “creative arts” are in danger of being “forgotten and left out” of the school system.
The Prince highlighted the importance of subjects such as music and drama but lamented how they were undervalued by the education sector as he presented the Industrial Cadets Awards.