Fiery US bishop brings American flair to royal wedding
WINDSOR, England (AP) — Nothing captured the trans-Atlantic nature of Saturday’s royal wedding as much as the guest preacher whose sermon brought American fire and flair to a very English church service.
The Most Rev. Michael Bruce Curry, the first black leader of the Episcopal Church in the United States, was hand-picked by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to address their 600 wedding guests.
The bishop’s passionate sermon on the theme of love, studded with quotes from the bible, Martin Luther King Jr and African-American spirituals, was a contrast to the more solemn and muted Anglican style the royal family is used to.
Many observers were surprised and delighted. BBC broadcaster Jeremy Vine tweeted: “The preacher is doing 50 in a 30 zone and it’s brilliant.”
Supermodel Naomi Campbell hit Caps Lock and tweeted: “BISHOP MICHAEL CURRY GIVING ME LIFE.”
Quoting civil rights King on the “redemptive power of love,” Curry told the bride and groom “it’s not just for, and about, a young couple who we rejoice with, it’s more than that.”
Curry, who like Markle’s mother has African ancestors who were slaves in the U.S., said that even during their time of bondage, love helped those in captivity persevere.
“When love is the way, we actually treat each other, well, like we are actual family,” he said in a sermon that touched on poverty, inequality and the healing power of love.
“When love is the way, we know that God is the source of us all and we are brothers and sisters, children of God and brothers and sisters,” he said. “That’s a new heaven, a new earth a new world, a new human family.”
Harry and Markle exchanged a quick glance at one another at one point as Curry drifted from his prepared remarks and ad libbed while the queen looked on stoically. Camilla and Kate — the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge — traded sidelong glances.
Queen Elizabeth II, who as monarch holds the title of Supreme Governor of the Church of England, did not show any sign of discomfort and looked as stoic as she had through the entire ceremony.
There may have been a touch of royal relief when Curry wrapped up with “We gotta get y’all married now.”
The crowds waiting outside for a glimpse of the royal couple loved it. Cheers greeted Curry as he walked uphill from the chapel along the procession route after the service. One man shouted “well done” — prompting a smile and “God bless you” from the bishop.
Former Labour Party leader Ed Miliband, an atheist, tweeted: “Rev Michael Curry could almost make me a believer.”
The Episcopal Church is an offshoot of the Church of England in the United States and has been the spiritual home of many of the American founding fathers and U.S. presidents.
Even though its support for gay marriage has recently caused friction with the greater Anglican Communion, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said ahead of the ceremony that he was “thrilled” Curry would be speaking there, calling him a “stunning preacher.”
Curry, 65, who is married and has two grown daughters, was born in Chicago and raised in Buffalo, New York. He began his ministry in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and also served as rector in Lincoln Heights, Ohio and Baltimore, Maryland.
Selecting him to give the sermon was one of several personal touches Harry and Meghan put on the service, held in the 15th century St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
Markle, who attended a Roman Catholic school, was baptized in March into the Church of England in preparation for the wedding and joining the royal family.
The ceremony was based on Common Worship — the most modern of several Church of England service options — and included prayers and hymns, as well as readings and musical selections chosen by the couple and their families.
That included a fusion of American and British elements, including by London-based gospel ensemble the Kingdom Choir’s renditions of Ben. E. King’s “Stand By Me” and Etta James’ “Amen/This Little Light of Mine.”
Teenage cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason wowed the 600 guests with works including Franz Schubert’s “Ave Maria.” The cellist won the BBC’s Young Musician of the Year contest in 2016, the first black musician to do so.
For all the individual touches, the service was dominated by tradition.
The pair read the Church of England wedding vows, promising to have and to hold, “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part.”
Then the archbishop pronounced them husband and wife.
“Those whom God has joined together let no one put asunder,” he said.
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Rising reported from Berlin. Jill Lawless in London contributed.
In this frame from video, the Most Rev. Michael Bruce Curry speaks during the wedding ceremony of Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (UK Pool/Sky News via AP)
Royal fans gather on the Long Walk ahead of the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle n St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle near London Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP)
A dog wears a Union flag bandana in Windsor ahead of the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle near London Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Peter Summers/PA via AP)
Flowers and foliage surround the West Door and steps of St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle for the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle in Windsor near London Saturday May 19, 2018. (Danny Lawson/pool photo via AP)
A woman with an inflatable crown looks through binoculars prior to the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Well-wishers with Union Flags stand at the barriers on the Long Walk leading to Windsor Castle aheadof the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Oli Scarff/pool photo via AP)
Women wear masks of Britain’s Prince Harry, Britain’s Prince William and Meghan Markle, from left, prior to the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Royal fans gather on the Long Walk outside Windsor Castle ahead of the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Hannah McKay/pool photo via AP)
Royal fans waiting at the barriers cheer ahead of the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
A Royal fan waits for the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Oprah Winfrey waves as she arrives at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Ian West/pool photo via AP)
People wave flags prior to the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Amal Clooney and George Clooney arrive for the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Gareth Fuller/pool photo via AP)
David Beckham arrives for the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Gareth Fuller/pool photo via AP)
A military brass band plays outside the castle prior to the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
David and Victoria Beckham arrive for the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Chris Radburn/pool photo via AP)
Serena Williams arrives for the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Gareth Fuller/pool photo via AP)
Meghan Markle, right, and her mother Doria Ragland leave Cliveden House Hotel in Taplow, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018 where she stayed before Markle’s wedding ceremony with Prince Harry at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)
Meghan Markle looks at Prince Harry during their wedding ceremony at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Gareth Fuller/pool photo via AP)
Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle smile during their wedding ceremony in St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Jonathan Brady/pool photo via AP)
Serena Williams and her husband Alexis Ohanian arrive for the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Odd Anderson/pool photo via AP)
The Most Rev Bishop Michael Curry, primate of the Episcopal Church, speaks during the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Owen Humphreys/pool photo via AP)
In this frame from video, Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle look at each other after their wedding ceremony at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (UK Pool via AP)
Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leave after their wedding ceremony at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Andrew Matthews/pool photo via AP)
Meghan Markle reacts as she rides in a carriage with her husband Britain’s Prince Harry after their wedding ceremony at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (John Sibley/pool photo via AP)
Britain’s Prince Harry, left, and Meghan Markle leave in a carriage after their wedding ceremony at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, pool)
In this frame from video, Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stand during their wedding ceremony at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (UK Pool/Sky News via AP)
In this frame from video, Meghan Markle walks down the aisle with Prince Charles for her wedding ceremony at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (UK Pool/Sky News via AP)
Meghan Markle arrives for the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Andrew Matthews/pool photo via AP)
Meghan Markle arrives for the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Andrew Matthews/pool photo via AP)
Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, during their wedding ceremony at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Gareth Fuller/pool photo via AP)
Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle hold hands during their wedding ceremony oin St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Dominic Lipinski/pool photo via AP)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leave after their wedding ceremony at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Ben Birchhall/pool photo via AP)
Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle hold hands during their wedding ceremony oin St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Dominic Lipinski/pool photo via AP)
Meghan Markle and Britain’s Prince Harry stand on the steps of St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle following their wedding in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Jane Barlow/pool photo via AP)
Meghan Markle leaves after her wedding ceremony to Prince Harry, at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Brian Lawless/pool photo via AP)
Meghan Markle leaves after her wedding ceremony to Prince Harry, at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Brian Lawless/pool photo via AP)
Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leave after their wedding ceremony at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Andrew Matthews/pool photo via AP)
Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leave after their wedding ceremony at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Andrew Matthews/pool photo via AP)
A dog wears a Union flag collar in Windsor ahead of the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle near London Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Peter Summers/PA via AP)
A Royal fan smiles as she stands near the Long Walk before the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Hannah McKay/pool photo via AP)
Armed police officers cast shadows as they patrol outside Windsor Castle ahead of the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Members of the public pass a security screening as they arrive on castle hill ahead of the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Odd Andersen/pool photo via AP)
Armed police officers patrol ahead of the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (John Sibley/pool photo via AP)
Idris Elba, right, and Sabrina Dhowre followed by Oprah Winfrey, forth right, arrive for the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Chris Radburn/pool photo via AP)
Royal fans pose for a photo prior to the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
British actor Idris Elba, right, arrives with his fiancee Sabrina Dhowre for the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Chris Radburn/pool photo via AP)
A military brass band player plays a tuba prior to the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Spectators gather along the Long Walk ahead of the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Windsor castle in Windsor near London, England, Saturday May 19, 2018. (Yui Mok/PA via AP)
Spectators gather along the Long Walk ahead of the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Windsor castle in Windsor near London, England, Saturday May 19, 2018. (Yui Mok/PA via AP)
Joss Stone, right, arrives for the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Ian West/pool photo via AP)
Armed police secure the route of the carriage procession prior to the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, pool)
Serena Williams and her husband Alexis Ohanian arrive for the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Odd Anderson/pool photo via AP)
George Clooney and his wife Amal Clooney arrive for the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Odd Anderson/pool photo via AP)
Serena Williams arrives with her husband Alexis Ohanian arrive for the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Toby Melville/pool photo via AP)
From left, George Clooney, Amal Clooney, Silver Tree, Abraham Levy, Celine Khavarani, Markus Anderson, Janina Gavankar, and Jill Smoller are seated prior to the start of the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Dominic Lipinski/pool photo via AP)
Britain’s Prince Harry, left and his brother Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge arrive for the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Ian West/pool photo via AP)
Britain’s Prince Harry, left, and Prince William arrive for the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Chris Radburn/pool photo via AP)
Britain’s Prince Harry, left, and best man Prince William arrive for the wedding ceremony at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Odd Anderson/pool photo via AP)
Britain’s Prince Harry walks with his best man, Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, as they arrive for the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Ben Birchhall/pool photo via AP)
Britain’s Prince Harry, left, and best man Prince William arrive for the wedding ceremony at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Odd Anderson/pool photo via AP)
Britain’s Prince Harry arrives for his wedding to Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Ben Birchhall/pool photo via AP)
Meghan Markle arrives for the wedding ceremony at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Chris Radburn/pool photo via AP)
In this frame from video, Meghan Markle listens during her wedding ceremony with Britain’s Prince Harry at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (UK Pool/Sky News via AP)
Doria Ragland takes her seat, prior to the start of the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Dominic Lipinski/pool photo via AP)
Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stand, prior to the start of their wedding ceremony, at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Dominic Lipinski/pool photo via AP)
Meghan Markle arrives for her wedding at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Ben Stansall/pool photo via AP)
Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, foreground left and Jessica Mulroney arrive with the bridesmaids for the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Jane Barlow/pool photo via AP)
Britain’s Prince Harry pulls back the veil of Meghan Markle watched by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby during their wedding at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Owen Humphreys/pool photo via AP)
Meghan Markle and her bridal party arrive for the the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Ben Birchhall/pool photo via AP)
Britain’s Prince Harry pulls back the veil of Meghan Markle watched by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby during their wedding at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Owen Humphreys/pool photo via AP)
Meghan Markle and her bridal party arrive for the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Ben Birchhall/pool photo via AP)
Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stand in front of Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby during their wedding at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Owen Humphreys/pool photo via AP)
Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle hold hands during their wedding ceremony oin St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Dominic Lipinski/pool photo via AP)
Britain’s Prince Harry places the ring on Meghan Markle during their wedding ceremony at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Jonathan Brady/pool photo via AP)
Britain’s Prince Harry places the ring on Meghan Markle during their wedding ceremony at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Jonathan Brady/pool photo via AP)
In this frame from video, Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pray during their wedding ceremony at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (UK Pool/Sky News via AP)
Meghan Markle reacts as she rides in a carriage with her husband Britain’s Prince Harry after their wedding ceremony at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Jeff J Mitchell/pool photo via AP)
Meghan Markle waves from a carriage after the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, pool)
Britain’s Prince Harry, left, and Meghan Markle wave from a carriage after their wedding ceremony at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, pool)
