Royals

Royal Wedding Preacher: Who is Pastor Michael Curry?

His impassioned speech proved a little bit too much for a nation whose catchphrase is keep calm and carry on!
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are officially man and wife, and after months of sitting on the edge of our seats in anticipation of their big day we can finally sit back and digest the events that were — the dress! the jewels! the carriage! that kiss!

But there’s another rather unexpected aspect of the royal wedding that’s left royal watchers — and, it seems, the royals themselves — talking. The wedding’s noteworthy speech by Pastor Michael Curry.

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Curry delivered the address shortly before Harry and Meghan — now the Duke and Duchess of Sussex — said their vows. And as America’s first African-American leader of the Episcopal Church and an avid campaigner for social justice and racial equality, the speech stood in stark contrast to the somewhat solemn offerings we’ve seen in previous royal weddings.

The bishop — who wrote the bestselling book Crazy Christians: A Call to Follow Jesus — used his time up at the altar to discuss how “love has the power to heal the world” and used down-to-earth language address relatable for the hundreds of guests in attendance and millions watching live across the globe.

He quoted Martin Luther King at different points, telling the guests they must believe in the “redemptive power of love” and even referred to “patterns of exclusion across a lot of different lines – race, gender, class.”

“God didn’t make anyone to be a second-class citizen … He says, ‘Come unto me all of you.’ He didn’t limit love. The dude, he got it,” he told the congregation.

Pastor Michael Curry delivered an impassioned speech at the royal wedding.

The powerful, entertaining and we’ll say it… lengthy address left some members of the congregation shifting nervously in their chairs — not least Harry and Meghan, who struggled to suppress their laughter (you can watch the duo the player above).

The hilarious expressions were, of course, quickly picked apart on social media with many paying particular attention to Duchess Catherine and Zara Tindall.

Take a peek at a few of the reactions for yourself:

https://twitter.com/0nyourtoes/status/997806384463802370?tfw_site=EsquireUK&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.esquire.com%2Fuk%2Flatest-news%2Fa20754383%2Fpreacher-royal-wedding-reactions-tweets-funny%2F
https://twitter.com/MelanieSarah8/status/997801092485435392?tfw_site=people&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fpeople.com%2Froyals%2Froyal-wedding-prince-harry-meghan-markle-preacher%2F
https://twitter.com/irina_o_/status/997805270217777152?tfw_site=EsquireUK&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.esquire.com%2Fuk%2Flatest-news%2Fa20754383%2Fpreacher-royal-wedding-reactions-tweets-funny%2F

On Saturday, May 19th the couple finally said “I do” in front of 600 friends and family packed into the pews of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle and billions tuning in from around the world.

Meghan Markle looked nothing short of a princess bride in a show-stopping, bespoke creation which features long sleeves, a high neck and a dramatic train.

Keeping things timeless and chic, Meghan’s dark brunette locks were swept into a stylish up do.

Upon seeing his bride for the first day, an awe-struck Harry remarked: “You look amazing. I missed you!”

Congratulations again to the newlyweds!

Be sure to get the special edition of Woman’s Day on sale Monday- relive the magical day with 16 pages of the most precious moments from Harry and Meghan’s wedding. Plus look out for our dedicated souvenir issue on sale nationally on Thursday with the complete picture album!

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