Duchess Meghan’s American heritage was front and center during her wedding to Prince Harry at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on Saturday, May 19. Us Weekly rounds up five ways the royal ceremony incorporated unique touches to celebrate the former actress’ roots on her big day.
5 Ways Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan’s Wedding Celebrated Her American Roots
Duchess Meghan’s American heritage was front and center during her wedding to Prince Harry at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on Saturday, May 19. Us Weekly rounds up five ways the royal ceremony incorporated unique touches to celebrate the former actress’ roots on her big day.
Duchess Meghan’s American heritage was front and center during her wedding to Prince Harry at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on Saturday, May 19. Us Weekly rounds up five ways the royal ceremony incorporated unique touches to celebrate the former actress’ roots on her big day.
Chicago native Michael Curry gave a rousing address titled “The Power of Love” in the middle of the wedding that drew smirks from the bride, 36, and groom, 33, as well as guests including Prince William, Duchess Kate and David Beckham. But it was the message behind Curry’s sermon that really honored Meghan, who is biracial. He quoted one of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s speeches from 1957 and also briefly touched upon the history of slavery in the U.S.
Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir sang a powerful gospel rendition of Ben E. King’s hit “Stand by Me” before Harry and Meghan (née Markle) exchanged vows. Since its release in 1961, the song has become an anthem for political progress and social solidarity in the U.S. and worldwide.
Meghan’s goddaughters Rylan and Remi Litt, whose mother is the bride’s close friend Benita Litt, served as two of the bridal party members. Like Meghan, the sisters hail from Los Angeles. They were joined by fellow bridesmaid Princess Charlotte and page boy Prince George, among other children.
Meghan’s former Suits costars Patrick J. Adams, Gabriel Macht, Jacinda Barrett, Sarah Rafferty, Abigail Spencer, Gina Torres and Rick Hoffman were in attendance. Though largely filmed in Toronto, the legal drama has been a hit in America since it premiered on USA Network in 2011. Meghan made her final appearance in the season 7 finale, which aired in April. She is now retired from acting.
The ceremony ended with the newlyweds leaving the chapel to Etta James’ cover of “This Little Light of Mine.” The gospel number, written by Harry Dixon Loes in the 1920s, soundtracked the civil rights movement in the mid-1950s to 1960s in the U.S. and remains an empowering anthem.
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