However, there has been a mystery about how the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church was chosen to deliver this address -
Until now.
A recording has emerged of Harry & Meghan's wedding preparations with the Archbishop in Lambeth Palace. The following is a partial transcript of that recording.
The scene is a drawing room in Lambeth Palace.
Prince Harry & Meghan Markle sit wth the Archbishop of Canterbury, sipping tea & discussing plans for their upcoming ceremony.
Prince Harry: We’d like some advice about the wedding, archbishop.
Archbishop of Canterbury: Yes, of course.
PH: Obviously, it would be good to have a mix of things.
AoC: Obviously.
Meghan Markle: Being, you know -
AoC: Mixed race.
PH: A royal wedding.
AoC: Well, precisely.
PH: Papa has given us some classical type tunes and things, and they seem OK...
MM: We’ve never heard of them
AoC: (pause as he looks down list) Nor has anyone else. Good Lord.
MM: Yeah, right, so we thought something a bit more popular would be good.
AoC: Something that Suits you - as it were! (AoC laughs at his own joke)
MM: Sorry?
AoC: Apologies. (sounding embarrassed) Now actually, I ‘m very good at this popular music thing.
PH: Really?
AoC: Yes - there’s that young black person who’s in the album charts at the moment…
PH: Er… That doesn’t really narrow it down.
AoC: Plays the cello.
MM: That narrows it down. Maybe not quite what we were thinking.
AoC: Oh, Ok. Well we can always put him in the signing of the register then.
PH: And what will we do while that happens. ?
AoC: (audibly surprised at the question) Stand by me, of course.
MM: You know, I really don’t think we should perform; couldn’t we get a choir to do that?
AoC: No no no no no - I mean you’ll stand by me to sign the register.
Though now you mention it…that's not the worst idea.
PH: And then we need to think of someone to give the address.
AoC: (A smile creeping into his voice) Well, thank you, I rather thought -
MM: (interrupting) Apparently there’ll be two billion people watching.
AoC: (instantly businesslike) - it shouldn’t be me. No. Definitely not.
PH: And Grandmother said not anyone from Alpha or the Archbishop of York.
AoC: Ah. I see. Anyone you’d like?
PH: Don’t really know many preachers. Better on rugby players. Army types.
MM: Actors.
PH: The Beckhams.
PH & MM: Elton John.
AoC: Well, who would your Grandmother like?
PH: Oh, God knows. Don’t try to curry favour - just give her something Anglican, something that makes her laugh, or a horse.
MM: But not the Archbishop of York.
AoC: (As if a light has just gone on) Well… “curry favour”… I think I may have just the right person for you…
