Diana’s memory will be at heart of wedding
WHEN he announced his engagement to Meghan Markle, Prince Harry spoke wistfully of how he regretted being unable to share his happy news with his mother.
The Prince and Ms Markle are to ensure the memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, is centre stage at their wedding, as they invite Lady Jane Fellowes, her sister, to deliver a reading.
Lady Jane will give the only reading of the ceremony, with Lady Sarah Mccorquodale and Earl Spencer, her siblings, in the congregation at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, representing Prince Harry’s maternal family. Lady Jane and Lady Sarah have already spent time getting to know Ms Markle, who spoke of her joy at meeting them in her engagement interview.
Then, describing the significance of her engagement ring containing a diamond from Diana’s collection, Ms Markle said: “Obviously not being able to meet his mom, it’s so important to me to know that she’s a part of this with us.
“I think in being able to meet his aunts and … different people who were so important to his mom, I’m able to, in some way, know a part of her through them and of course through him,” she said. “It’s incredibly special.”
Prince Harry has previously said of his mother and fiancée: “They’d be thick as thieves, without question. I think she would be over the moon, jumping up and down, so excited for me. But then, as I said, she would have probably been best friends with Meghan.”
In the hours after sharing news of his engagement with the world, he said: “It’s days like today when I really miss having her around, and miss being able to share the happy news.
“But you know, with the ring and with everything else that’s going on, I’m sure she’s with us, you know, jumping up and down somewhere else.” Prince Harry and Prince William have both taken steps to remember their mother at key moments of their lives, taking part in moving documentaries about her on the 20th anniversary of her death in August 2017. In 2011, the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton incorporated her favourite songs, with a performance from Sir Elton John.
Their reading was given by Miss Middleton’s brother, James. Lady Jane has kept a lower public profile than Earl Spencer and Lady Sarah, who has spoken movingly about her sister in documentaries.
She is married to Robert Fellowes, private secretary to the Queen from 1990-99, and the couple once lived in Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace, now the home of the prince and Ms Markle.
Lady Jane is best remembered for reading a poem at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales. She attended the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and her daughter Laura is godmother to Princess Charlotte.
Jason Knauf, Prince Harry’s communications secretary, said: “In addition to having the support of the Queen, his father the Prince of Wales, and his brother Prince William as best man, Prince Harry is also keen to involve his mother’s family in his wedding.
“All three siblings of Diana, Princess of Wales will be in attendance and Lady Jane Fellowes will give the reading.
“Prince Harry and Ms Markle both feel honoured that Lady Jane will be representing her family and helping to celebrate the memory of the late Princess on the wedding day.”