Meghan Markle has been baptized by the Archbishop of Canterbury using holy water from the River Jordan in a secret ceremony at the Chapel Royal with Prince Harry by her side
Meghan Markle has been
baptized into the Church of England in a secret ceremony with Prince Harry at her side.
The intimate 45-minute service was conducted by the
Archbishop of Canterbury at the Chapel Royal on Tuesday evening.
They were joined by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, but neither Prince William nor the Queen were present.
Miss Markle’s baptism, which formally introduces her into the Anglican faith ahead of her wedding to Harry in two months, marks an important step on her transformation from divorced American actress to future granddaughter-in-law to the Queen.
The ceremony was a closely guarded secret with only a handful of royal aides involved.
Miss Markle’s baptism, which formally introduces her into the Anglican faith ahead of her wedding to Harry in two months, marks an important step on her transformation from divorced American actress to future granddaughter-in-law to the Queen.
The ceremony was a closely guarded secret with only a handful of royal aides involved.
Miss Markle, 36, had asked the 62-year-old Archbishop, Justin Welby, to lead the
service after forming a close bond with him in recent weeks as he instructed her
on the rites and sacraments of theChurch.
Her baptism was followed immediately by her
confirmation, which means she will be able to join Harry, 33, at Holy
Communion.
Miss Markle did not need to become an Anglican in
order to marry Harry in church, but at the time of their engagement last
November she made clear she had chosen to be baptised and confirmed out of
respect for the Queen’s role as the head of the Church of England.
Insiders also said it was fitting that the Prince of Wales, who will be the next
head of the Church, attended the service.
Miss Markle and Harry will marry on May 19 at St
George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. The marriage service will be conducted by the
Dean of Windsor, David Connor, with the Archbishop presiding as the couple make
their vows.
Tuesday’s service observed the full ritual of the
Church with holy water from the River Jordan from the private Royal Family font
poured on Miss Markle’s head.
The Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace is
particularly significant in Harry’s life as well as the history of the Royal
Family.
It is where Princess Diana’s body lay for a week
before her funeral in 1997 and where King Charles I received the Holy Sacrament
before his execution in 1649.
Source: Daily Mail
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