Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Photo / Getty Images
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Photo / Getty Images
Stand By Me will be among the hymns in a modern order of service as Prince Harry ties the knot with Meghan Markle in today's long-awaited royal wedding.
The plans for the ceremony at St George's Chapel, Windsor, include modern wording of the marriage vows along with the hymn Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer which was played at Princess Diana's funeral. Diana's sister, Lady Jane Fellowes, will also give a reading.
The Duchess of Cambridge did not promise to 'obey' Prince William in 2011, and neither did Harry's mother the Princess of Wales in 1981 when she married the Prince of Wales.
In a nod to the transatlantic nature of the marriage, the Most Reverend Michael Curry, head of the Episcopal Church in the United States, will give the sermon.
However the order of service, a 22-page booklet, was produced before it became clear that Meghan's father, Thomas Markle, would be unable to attend, and still mentions his name.
The error, it seems, is simply a matter of timing.
"The Order of Service was produced before it became clear that Mr Thomas Markle would be unable to attend the wedding on medical advice," the palace said in a statement to People magazine.
Awkward. Prince Charles will now walk Meghan down the aisle. Photo / Supplied
"As a result, some aspects will be different to what has been printed. As previously announced, Ms Markle has asked The Prince of Wales to accompany her down the aisle of The Quire."
The decision for Prince Charles to walk Meghan down the aisle comes after her father, Mr Thomas Markle, 73, was forced to pull out of attending the wedding following a scandal involving staged paparazzi photographs and heart surgery.
It was announced yesterday that Prince Charles would take Mr Markle's position and walk Meghan down the aisle, although she will enter the chapel by herself.
Markle, who attended a Roman Catholic school, has been baptised into the Church of England, of which Queen Elizabeth II is supreme governor, as she prepares to join the royal family.
The ceremony is based on Common Worship — the most modern of several Church of England service options — and includes prayers and hymns, as well as readings and musical selections chosen by the couple and their family.
Kensington Palace said "like any couple getting married, Prince Harry and Ms. Markle have taken a great deal of care in selecting all elements for their service."
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Photo / Getty Images
Orchestral selections include works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Edward Elgar, Gabriel Faure and Franz Schubert.
The palace said it was "a collaborative effort" between the two, and they also consulted Harry's father Prince Charles about the orchestral music being played before the service begins.
The chapel choir will sing works including a motet by 16th-century English composer Thomas Tallis. A London-based gospel ensemble, the Kingdom Choir, will perform the Ben. E. King soul classic Stand By Me.
Jane Fellowes, the sister of Harry's late mother Princess Diana, will read from the biblical Song of Solomon, an ode to the power of love that contains the words "many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it."
The Church of England doesn't allow couples to write their own wedding vows — they have to stick to the script. Meghan and Harry will vow 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."
Welby, head of the global Anglican Communion will ask them to love, comfort, honour and protect one another — but not obey. That requirement of wives is now widely considered outdated by the Church of England.
In front of 600 wedding guests, Meghan and Harry will exchange rings before Welby declares them husband and wife with the words: "Those whom God has joined together let no one put asunder."
After guests sing God Save the Queen, Britain's national anthem, the newlyweds will leave the chapel to the strains of an allegro from Symphony No. 1 by 18th-century composer William Boyce, and the gospel sounds of Amen/This Little Light of Mine.
The Church of England doesn't allow couples to write their own wedding vows — so both Harry and Meghan will have to stick to the script in front of them.
According to the Order of Service, Prince Harry will say his vows first while standing in front of 600 guests within the chapel.
"I Harry, take you, Meghan, to be my wife," he will begin.
"To have and to hold from, this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part; according to God's holy law. In the presence of God I make this vow."
"I Meghan, take you, Harry, to be my husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part; according to God's holy law. In the presence of God I make this vow."
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby — who will officiate the ceremony — will then ask Harry and Meghan to exchange rings.
"Heavenly Father, by your blessing let these rings be to Harry and Meghan a symbol of unending love and faithfulness, to remind them of the vow and covenant which they have made this day, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen," Welby will read.
Holding the ring on Meghan's fourth finger on her left hand, Prince Harry will repeat the final part of his vows.
"Meghan, I give you this ring as a sign of our marriage," the Prince will say.
"With my body I honour you, all that I am I give to you, and all that I have I share with you, within the love of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit."
But when Meghan exchanges her rings to Prince Harry, she'll be following in the footsteps of Princess Diana and Kate Middleton by choosing to omit the traditional promise to "obey" her husband.
"Harry, I give you this ring as a sign of our marriage. With my body I honour you, all that I am I give to you, and all that I have I share with you, within the love of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit."
The decision to exclude the word doesn't come as a surprise: Meghan has long been a vocal feminist, working with organisations like One World Vision to learn about the challenges facing women and girls living in Dubai and Mumbai. Meghan also served as an ambassador for United Nations Women.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's order of service in full
Here is the order of service for Harry and Meghan's wedding in full:
The Marriage of His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales with Ms Meghan Markle at St George's Chapel Windsor Castle Saturday, 19 May, 2018 at 12 Noon.
The following Pastoral Introduction is taken from Common Worship:
A wedding is one of life's great moments, a time of solemn commitment as well as good wishes, feasting and joy. St John tells us how Jesus shared in such an occasion at Cana, and gave there a sign of new beginnings as he turned water into wine.
Marriage is intended by God to be a creative relationship, as his blessing enables husband and wife to love and support each other in good times and in bad, and to share in the care and upbringing of children. For Christians, marriage is also an invitation to share life together in the spirit of Jesus Christ.
It is based upon a solemn, public and life-long covenant between a man and a woman, declared and celebrated in the presence of God and before witnesses.
On this their wedding day the bride and bridegroom face each other, make their promises and receive God's blessing. You are witnesses of the marriage, and express your support by your presence and your prayers. Your support does not end today: the couple will value continued encouragement in the days and years ahead of them.
St George's Chapel
Set in the Lower Ward of Windsor Castle, St George's Chapel is a building of rare beauty, begun in 1475 by King Edward IV.
The Chapel, built in the striking English Perpendicular Gothic style of the period, was intended both to be a new and fitting home for the College of St George and the Order of the Garter (founded over a century previously in 1348), and to be a Royal Chapel in which the Sovereign and the Royal Family might worship God and to which they might come on various occasions-some solemn, and many, like today's wedding or the Garter Service next month, celebratory-to receive God's blessing and to hear prayer offered in God's presence.
Royal fans gather outside Windsor Castle. Photo / Getty Images
The Opus Dei, or daily round of prayer, is offered by the members of the College who live in the precincts of the Chapel and whose duty it is to pray morning and evening for the Sovereign and the Companions of the Order of the Garter.
There are twenty-three services each week, all of which are open to members of the public.
Perhaps the Chapel's most striking feature is the vaulted stone roof of very wide span, held up only by the light and graceful walls and the external flying buttresses.
Most of the coloured bosses on the roof of the Chapel bear the badges and arms of King Henry VII and those of his servants who helped to build part of the Chapel, finished in 1528.
The boss in the roof over the Organ Screen bears the arms of King Henry VIII, who is buried in a vault beneath the Quire of the Chapel.
The great coloured glass West Window is one of the finest in England and is said to be the third largest in the country; in seventy-five lights, the vast majority of which date from between 1503 and 1509, it depicts a host of warrior saints, archbishops and kings and, in the bottom right hand corner, with hammer in hand the likeness of William Vertue the mason and architect responsible for the building of the Nave and Quire Vault.
Those seated in the Quire of the Chapel are able to see one of the Chapel's greatest treasures, the carved oak stalls dating from between 1478 and 1485.
Each stall is a work of art and a triumph of craftsmanship, each unique in its detail.
Above each of the Companions' stalls hangs his or her banner and on the canopy of a Knight's stall is his helmet and crest and sword of knighthood, symbolically half-drawn from its scabbard to show his readiness to take up arms in defence of the Sovereign and the realm.
The Lady Companions do not bear arms. On the back of the stalls are nearly 800 plates which commemorate Knights of the Garter past and present.
On the High Altar is a jewelled Cross, given by Queen Victoria, and two silver gilt candlesticks dating from the reign of King Charles II. Also displayed are three gilt dishes of very great size, elaborately embossed; one was intended to have been the gift of Mary of Orange, sister of King Charles II, while the other two smaller dishes are the gift of Anne Hyde, Duchess of York, wife of the future King James II.
Looking down on the Quire from above is the wooden oriel window installed in the Chantry Chapel of King Edward IV by King Henry VIII so that his Queen, Katherine of Aragon, might watch the ceremonies of the Installation of Knights of the Garter in the Quire below.
The window bears the arms of Henry and Katherine and the intertwined Tudor Rose of England and the Pomegranate of Aragon.
It has frequently been used as a Royal Pew or watching chamber and it was from this vantage point that Queen Victoria watched the wedding in the Chapel below of her son, the Prince of Wales, to Princess Alexandra of Denmark on 10 March 1863. It was at this same wedding that the fine East Window, created by Messrs Clayton and Bell in commemoration of the late Prince Albert, was first seen.
Prayer
God of love, send your blessing upon Harry and Meghan, and all who are joined in marriage, that, rejoicing in your will and continuing under your protection, they may both live and grow in your love all their days, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
The service is led by The Right Reverend David Conner KCVO, Dean of Windsor.
The marriage is solemnised by The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury.
The service is sung by the choir of St George's Chapel, conducted by Mr James Vivian, Director of Music, St George's Chapel. The Organ is played by Mr Luke Bond, Assistant Director of Music, St George's Chapel, Windsor, and Mr Jason Richards, Organ Scholar, St George's Chapel.
The Cellist, Mr Sheku Kanneh-Mason is a British Cellist who won the 2016 BBC Young Musician of the Year award.
The Orchestra is made up of musicians drawn from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the English Chamber Orchestra and the Philharmonia, conducted by Mr Christopher Warren-Green.
For the Procession of the Bride, they are joined by:
Ms Elin Manahan Thomas (Soprano) and Mr David Blackadder (Trumpet). Ms Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir. The State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry.
Music before the service
From 10.35 am Mr Luke Bond, Assistant Director of Music, will play:
Marche Heroique - Sir Alfred Herbert Brewer (1865-1928) Prelude and Fugue in G Major, BWV 541 - Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Psalm-Prelude Set 1, No. 2 - Herbert Howells (1892-1983) Symphony No. 4, Andante Cantabile - Charles-Marie Widor (1844-1937) Prelude on Rhosymedre - Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
From 11.10 am the Orchestra will play:
Salut d'Amour - Sir Edward Elgar (1857-1934) St Paul's Suite, movement 4 - Gustav Holst (1874-1934) Lady Radnor's Suite movements 2, 3 & 5 - Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry (1848-1914) Capriol Suite, movements 2, 3, & 5 - Peter Warlock (1894-1930) Fantasia on Greensleeves - Ralph Vaughan Williams Serenade for Strings, movement 1 - Sir Edward Elgar Chanson de Matin - Sir Edward Elgar, arr. Benjamin Woodgates (b. 1986)
At 11.25 am Members of the Royal Family arrive at the Galilee Porch and are received by the Dean of Windsor who presents the Canons of Windsor and the Archbishop of Canterbury. Those in the Quire stand as they are conducted to their places.
All sit.
At 11.40 am The Bridegroom and his Best Man arrive at the West Door and are received by the Dean of Windsor. All stand as the Bridegroom and his Best Man are conducted to the Bray Chantry Chapel.
At 11.42 am Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall arrive at the Galilee Porch and are received by the Vice-Dean who presents the Canons of Windsor and the Archbishop of Canterbury. Those in the Quire stand as they are conducted to their places.
At 11.45 am the Mother of the Bride, Ms Doria Ragland, arrives at the Galilee Porch and is received by the Dean of Windsor and is conducted to her seat in the Quire.
At 11.52 am Her Majesty The Queen arrives at the Galilee Porch and is received by the Dean of Windsor who presents the Canons of Windsor and the Archbishop of Canterbury. Those in the Quire stand as Her Majesty is conducted to her place in the Quire.
A fanfare will sound.
All stand as the Choir and Clergy move in procession to the Quire.
Sacristan
The Most Reverend Michael Bruce Curry. Photo / Getty Images
The Bride, having been greeted by the Dean of Windsor, moves in procession through the Nave where she is joined by her Father, Mr Thomas Markle, to the High Altar. The Bridegroom and his Best Man await.
In the presence of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we have come together to witness the marriage of HENRY CHARLES ALBERT DAVID and RACHEL MEGHAN, to pray for God's blessing on them, to share their joy and to celebrate their love.
Marriage is a gift of God in creation through which husband and wife may know the grace of God.
It is given that as man and woman grow together in love and trust, they shall be united with one another in heart, body and mind, as Christ is united with his bride, the Church.
The gift of marriage brings husband and wife together in the delight and tenderness of sexual union and joyful commitment to the end of their lives.
It is given as the foundation of family life in which children are born and nurtured and in which each member of the family, in good times and in bad, may find strength, companionship and comfort, and grow to maturity in love.
Marriage is a way of life made holy by God, and blessed by the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ with those celebrating a wedding at Cana in Galilee.
Marriage is a sign of unity and loyalty which all should uphold and honour. It enriches society and strengthens community.
No one should enter into it lightly or selfishly but reverently and responsibly in the sight of almighty God.
HARRY and MEGHAN are now to enter this way of life. They will each give their consent to the other and make solemn vows, and in token of this they will each give and receive a ring.
We pray with them that the Holy Spirit will guide and strengthen them, that they may fulfil God's purposes for the whole of their earthly life together.
Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy, Whose trust, ever child-like, no cares could destroy, Be there at our waking, and give us, we pray, Your bliss in our hearts, Lord, at the break of the day. Lord of all eagerness, Lord of all faith, Whose strong hands were skilled at the plane and the lathe, Be there at our labours, and give us, we pray, Your strength in our hearts, Lord, at the noon of the day. Lord of all kindliness, Lord of all grace, Your hands swift to welcome, your arms to embrace, Be there at our homing, and give us, we pray, Your love in our hearts, Lord, at the eve of the day.
Jan Struther (1901-53) 'Slane', Traditional Irish Melody
The declarations
All remain standing as the Archbishop leads the declarations:
First, I am required to ask anyone present who knows a reason why these persons may not lawfully marry, to declare it now.
The vows you are about to take are to be made in the presence of God, who is judge of all and knows all the secrets of our hearts; therefore if either of you knows a reason why you may not lawfully marry, you must declare it now.
The Archbishop says to the Bridegroom:
Harry, will you take MEGHAN to be your wife? Will you love her, comfort her, honour and protect her, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?
MEGHAN, will you take HARRY to be your husband? Will you love him, comfort him, honour and protect him, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?
She answers
I will.
The Archbishop says to the congregation:
Will you, the families and friends of HARRY and MEGHAN, support and uphold them in their marriage now and in the years to come?
The Archbishop invites the people to pray, silence is kept and he says
The collect
God our Father, from the beginning you have blessed creation with abundant life.
Pour out your blessings upon HARRY and MEGHAN, that they may be joined in mutual love and companionship, in holiness and commitment to each other.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
From the Song of Solomon, read by The Lady Jane Fellowes from the Nave:
My beloved speaks and says to me: 'Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtle-dove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.' Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a raging flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If one offered for love all the wealth of one's house, it would be utterly scorned.
Motet
All remain seated while the Choir of St George's Chapel sing the motet
IF ye love me, keep my commandments, and I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another comforter, that he may 'bide with you forever, e'en the spirit of truth.
Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir will sing 'Stand by me' from the West End of The Chapel.
WHEN the night has come, And the land is dark, And the moon is the only light we see. No, I won't be afraid. Oh, I won't be afraid, Just as long as you stand, stand by me. So darling, darling, stand by me, Oh, stand by me. Oh stand, stand by me. Stand by me. If the sky that we look upon, Should tumble and fall, Or the mountain should crumble to the sea. I won't cry, I won't cry. No, I won't shed a tear. Just as long as you stand, stand by me, Darling, darling, stand by me... Whenever you're in trouble, Won't you stand by me, oh stand by me. Oh stand, stand by me. Stand by me.
Jerry Leiber (1933-2011) Ben E. King (1938-2015) and Mike Stroller (b. 1933)
All remain seated as the Archbishop leads the vows
HARRY and MEGHAN, I now invite you to join hands and make your vows, in the presence of God and his people.
The Bride and Bridegroom face each other and join hands. The Bridegroom says:
I HARRY, take you, MEGHAN, to be my wife, to have and to hold from, this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part; according to God's holy law. In the presence of God I make this vow.
The Bride says:
I MEGHAN, take you, HARRY, to be my husband, to have and to hold , from this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part; according to God's holy law. In the presence of God I make this vow.
HEAVENLY Father, by your blessing let these rings be to HARRY and MEGHAN a symbol of unending love and faithfulness, to remind them of the vow and covenant which they have made this day, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Bridegroom places the ring on the fourth finger of the Bride's left hand and, holding it there, says
MEGHAN, I give you this ring as a sign of our marriage. With my body I honour you, all that I am I give to you, and all that I have I share with you, within the love of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
They loose hands and the Bride places a ring on the fourth finger of the Bridegroom's left hand and, holding it there, says
HARRY, I give you this ring as a sign of our marriage. With my body I honour you, all that I am I give to you, and all that I have I share with you, within the love of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
All remain seated.
The proclamation
The Archbishop addresses the people:
IN the presence of God, and before this congregation, HARRY and MEGHAN have given their consent and made their marriage vows to each other. They have declared their marriage by the joining of hands and by the giving and receiving of rings. I therefore proclaim that they are husband and wife.
The Archbishop joins their right hands together and says:
Those whom God has joined together let no-one put asunder.
The anthem
All remain seated while the Choir of St George's Chapel sing the anthem.
The Lord bless you and keep you
THE Lord bless you and keep you: The Lord make his face to shine upon you, to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you, and give you peace. Amen.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, for you have created joy and gladness, pleasure and delight, love, peace and fellowship. Pour out the abundance of your blessing upon HARRY and MEGHAN in their new life together. Let their love for each other be a seal upon their hearts and a crown upon their heads. Bless them in their work and in their companionship; awake and asleep, in joy and in sorrow, in life and in death. Finally, in your mercy, bring them to that banquet where your saints feast for ever in your heavenly home. We ask this through Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, bless, preserve and keep you; the Lord mercifully grant you the riches of his grace, that you may please him both in body and soul, and, living together in faith and love, may receive the blessings of eternal life. Amen.
The prayers led by Archbishop Angaelos and The Reverend Prebendary Rose Hudson-Wilkin from the Nave.
Faithful God, holy and eternal, source of life and spring of love, we thank and praise you for bringing HARRY and MEGHAN to this day, and we pray for them.
Lord of life and love: hear our prayer.
May their marriage be life-giving and life-long, enriched by your presence and strengthened by your grace; may they bring comfort and confidence to each other in faithfulness and trust.
May the hospitality of their home bring refreshment and joy to all around them; may their love overflow to neighbours in need and embrace those in distress.
Lord of life and love: hear our prayer.
May they discern in your word order and purpose for their lives; and may the power of your Holy Spirit lead them in truth and defend them in adversity.
Lord of life and love: hear our prayer.
May they nurture their family with devotion, see their children grow in body, mind and spirit and come at last to the end of their lives with hearts content and in joyful anticipation of heaven.
Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us
Oour Father in heaven, hallowed be your name; your kingdom come, your will be done; on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
All stand.
Hymn
Guide me, O thou great Redeemer, Pilgrim through this barren land; I am weak, but thou art mighty, Hold me with thy powerful hand: Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more. Open now the crystal fountain Whence the healing stream doth flow; Let the fire and cloudy pillar Lead me all my journey through: Strong deliverer, Be thou still my strength and shield. When I tread the verge of Jordan, Bid my anxious fears subside; Death of death, and hell's Destruction Land me safe on Canaan's side: Songs of praises I will ever give to thee.
William Williams (1717-91) 'Cwm Rhondda', John Hughes (1873-1932)
All remain standing as the Dean of Windsor says the blessing.
God the Holy Trinity make you strong in faith and love, defend you on every side, and guide you in truth and peace; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.
All remain standing.
The organ plays as those who are signing the registers move from the Quire to the North Quire Aisle.
During the Signing of the Register the following is played by Mr Sheku Kanneh-Mason and the Orchestra:
Sicilienne - Maria Theresia von Paradis (1759-1824) arr. Chris Hazell (b.1948) Apres un reve - Gabriel Faure (1845-1924) arr. Chris Hazell Ave Maria - Franz Schubert (1797-1828) arr. Chris Hazell
All stand as the Bride and Bridegroom return to the Quire.
National Anthem
God save our gracious Queen, Long live our noble Queen, God save The Queen! Send her victorious, Happy and glorious, Long to reign over us, God save The Queen!
Symphony no. 1 in B-flat - Allegro William Boyce (1711-1779) Amen/This little light of mine - Etta James Jester Hairston (1901-2000) and Harry Dixon Loes (1892-1965)
All remain standing during the Procession of the Bride and Bridegroom, until members of their families have left the Chapel.
All remain standing as the Ecclesiastical Procession leaves by way of the Organ Screen and the North Quire Aisle.
Thereafter please leave the Chapel as directed by the Lay Stewards.
