The Archbishop of Canterbury, who will marry Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in May, has given a touching interview about the royal couple – and about the actress’ recent secret baptism.
In the chat with ITV News, the Archbishop, Justin Welby spoke for the first time about baptising Meghan, 36, although he joked he was allowed to tell the interviewer, Julie Etchingham, “almost nothing at all!”
The Archbishop performed the ceremony on 6th March, in the Chapel Royal.
He said of the intimate service: “It was very special. It was beautiful, sincere and very moving. It was a great privilege.”
Reports said Prince Harry stayed by his fianceé’s side throughout the ceremony, while Harry’s father Prince Charles and step-mother the Duchess of Cornwall attended as guests.
Mr Welby also spoke about preparing for the royal wedding itself, which is all set for Saturday, 19 May at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
He joked: “Unlike recent weddings, I must not drop the ring, and I must not forget to get the vows in the right order, as I did at the rehearsal for one of my children’s wedding.”
More seriously, he added that he is preparing much like he does with any other engaged couple, saying: “You talk about what they want in the wedding, discuss it with the Dean of Windsor, it’s what you do for weddings, it’s just on an infinitely larger scale.”
The senior cleric has met the former Suits star a number of times since her engagement to the prince.
He added: “You just focus on the couple. It’s their day.
“At the heart of it, is two people who have fallen in love with each other. Who are committing their lives to each other with the most beautiful words and profound thoughts. Who do it in the presence of God, through Jesus Christ.
“You pray for them to have the strength to fulfil their vows. And you seek to do it in a way that respects their integrity and honours their commitment.”
Read more: The Queen releases statement on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s marriage
It comes just days after the Queen gave her formal consent for Prince Harry to marry his fiancée.
In a letter released by her Privy Council, The Queen described Harry as “my most dearly beloved grandson”.
It read: “Her Majesty in Council was this day pleased to make the following declaration: ‘My Lords, I declare my consent to a contract of matrimony between my most dearly beloved grandson, Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales and Rachel Meghan Markle, which consent I am causing to be signified under the Great Seal and to be entered into the books of the Privy Council.'”
Prince Harry, 33, proposed to the American actress in November, getting down on one knee at his home, Nottingham Cottage, at Kensington Palace.
He later told BBC News: “The fact that I fell in love with Meghan so incredibly quickly was confirmation to me that all the stars were aligned.
“This beautiful woman just tripped and fell into my life, I fell into her life. I know that she will be unbelievably good at the job part of it as well.”
Don’t miss out: Three steps to ensure you see all ED!’s latest news on Facebook
Are you excited about the royal wedding? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!