Meghan Markle Officially Baptised into The Church of England During Secret Ceremony
Meghan Markle has been baptised into the Church of England in a secret ceremony ahead of her May 19 wedding to Prince Harry.
Miss Meghan Markle’s baptism, which formally introduces her into the Anglican faith, marks an important step on her transformation from a divorced American actress to future granddaughter-in-law to the Queen.
The intimate 45-minute service was conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury at the Chapel Royal on Tuesday evening. Prince Harry was by his fiancee, Meghan Markle’s side.
They were joined by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, but neither Prince William nor the Queen were present.
Holy water from the River Jordan from the private Royal Family font was poured on Meghan’s head in the ceremony and The Chapel Royal choir of six Gentlemen-in-Ordinary and ten Children of the Chapel performed throughout the service, reports say.
A source close to the couple had previously said the former actress had asked the archbishop Justin Welby to conduct the service “as she has formed a close bond with him”.
Meghan, 36, and Harry, 33, who are set to marry on May 19 at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, are said to have been doing wedding preparation with Welby but the service will be conducted by the Dean of Windsor, David Connor.
According to reports, there were 18 guests who attended the ceremony on Tuesday – but it is not believed Meghan’s divorced parents Doria Ragland and Thomas Markle were among them.
Crown Jeweller Mark Appleby was said to have brought royal silverware, including a silver font, basin and flask of holy oil, Richard Key reports in The Daily Mail.
Meghan also reportedly had two sponsors – one of which was believed to be a close friend – to support her getting baptised.
Her baptism was followed immediately by her confirmation before guests reportedly enjoyed a dinner at Clarence House, hosted by Charles and Camilla, it was claimed.
The Chapel Royal, in the heart of London’s City of Westminster holds a huge significance for the Royal Family.
It is where Princess Diana’s body lay for a week before her funeral in 1997 and it is also where Prince George was christened in 2013.
Chapel Royal in St James’s Palace
Meghan is partly following in the footsteps of future sister-in-law the Duchess of Cambridge who also had a private confirmation after her engagement to Prince William.
While Meghan did not need to become an Anglican in order to marry Harry in church she is understood to have chosen to be baptised and confirmed out of respect to the Queen’s role as head of the Church of England.
Meghan attended a Roman Catholic School in her youth and was previously married to Trevor Engelseon, a Jewish film producer.
