The world has yet another reason to stan Meghan Markle, the brand-new Royal Highness the Duchess of Sussex, following her Saturday nuptials to Prince Harry.
Being the first American, biracial divorcee was an obvious way to break tradition in the British Monarchy, but the couple’s finalized wedding details—from the speakers to the music—rocked the world (and the Church of England.)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made it clear: Royal tradition is important, but this wedding was theirs alone. And they chose to make it a moment full of messages that represent their union, but also the world at large. The idea of inclusivity within a centuries-old institution is clearly shifting, and that was reflected throughout the ceremony.
The Sermon:
First up: the couple’s choice of Bishop Michael Curry of Chicago, the first African American head of the Episcopal Church in the U.S., to speak at their wedding. What appeared to be an intentional move to ground Markle’s identity in her marriage became even more clear in the rousing sermon. Curry shook the Royal Wedding address by not merely his American presence (it’s customary that speeches are given by British priests), but also by shifting the mood from rigidly exclusive to engaging and inviting.
Invoking Martin Luther King Jr. with words on the revolutionary act of love, humanity and even slavery, Curry’s address was a departure from a typical Church Of England speech and an introduction of a new and nuanced narrative that will now be a part of the monarchy’s history—one that speaks to Markle’s Protestant upbringing and her ties to Black culture. And obviously, Twitter lost their minds:
“Dr. King was right: ‘We must discover the power of love, the redemptive power of love,’” Curry preached in the call-and-response cadence of Black pastors. “‘And when we discover that, we will be able to make of this old world a new world. Love is the only way.’”
The Choir:
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex continued the tradition of Black church by inviting Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir to sing during the ceremony. Not only was this a first for the Church of England, but the swaying sea of Black women and men in pastel pinks, purples and champagne was a visual reminder of Markle’s identity and Prince Harry’s commitment to affirming it—an intentional practice the groom has enacted since he and Markle began dating.
Amplifying that message, the gospel choir broke out into a cover of “Stand By Me,” the 1961 hit by American singer-songwriter Ben E. King.
This also was too much for Twitter to handle:
Later, as the newly married couple descended the steps of St. George’s Chapel, the choir sang “This Little Light Of Mine” and “Amen,” staples of the Civil Rights movement and a visceral reminder to attendees and viewers of the African American spirit threaded throughout.
The Cellist:
Twitter nearly broke when a young, black cellist masterfully plucked away at the end of the ceremony, a first in Royal Wedding history.
Turns out, 19-year-old British musician Sheku Kanneh-Mason is a favorite of the couple’s and indicates yet another way the newlyweds made sure the ceremony felt like a representation of their relationship.
According to the LA Times, Prince Harry and Markle caught Kanneh-Mason performing in London last year. They were so impressed, they personally requested him for Saturday’s wedding.
“I was bowled over when Ms. Markle called me to ask if I would play during the ceremony, and of course I immediately said yes,” the Royal Academy of Music student said in a statement released by Kensington Palace. “What a privilege to be able to play the cello at such a wonderful event. I can’t wait!”
This isn’t the first time Kanneh-Mason has made history. In 2016, the young cellist won the BBC Young Musician of the Year Award, making him the first black musician to do so.
A Solo Walk:
With much speculation about who would walk Markle down the aisle amid familial drama that caught her father in a paparazzo scandal, the bride leaned on her feminist roots (she’s an outspoken advocate of gender equality) and took most of the journey down by herself. Prince Charles then joined her, stepping back as she approached Prince Harry, who remarked “Thanks Pa.”
The move wasn’t a surprising one, but it was bold. Markle’s numerous declarative statements about feminism and equality trumped tradition in this way and quite possibly set the tone for her role as a new member of the British Monarchy.
And in a fashion-forward nod to that equality, the bride wore British designer Clare Waight Keller, who last year became the first female Artistic Director of Givenchy.
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