Harry and Meghan: Wedding Suggestions and Musings

[Cocoasneeze]

Some families are not functional, and Meghan took her distance from her family years ago. I think she's happy and content with it, and isn't missing her family. She has built her own family of people she can trust.

And it's been made clear, that no one is giving her away. Charles is just walking with her some part of the aisle.

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by M. Payton

From all that I have read and seen of Meghan, it seems to me that she makes strong decisions in her life to do what is best for her. I really don't think this woman would feel that she needs to be *given away* as she is a very independent intelligent woman who can do things her way and now with Harry they make the decisions together on how to proceed with *their* wedding.... no woman I know of today feels like she is so insecure that she has to be given away in her wedding.....this is about their decisions only

I do not think either that the she needs to be given away, but, as long as being “ given away” is part of the Anglican liturgy, the meaning of being “ given away” should be taken into account, Clearly it was not with the decision that Prince Charles would do it.

BTW, we have seen royal weddings celebrated in different Christian traditions lately ( e.g. Roman Catholic in Belgium, Spain and Luxembourg; Lutheran in the Scandinavian countries; Reformed in the Netherlands). None of those weddings included “giving away”, which, I insist, is not the same as being walked down the aisle by your father. “ Giving away” seems to be then. a peculiar CoE anachronism that symbolizes leaving one family ( the Ragland-Markle family in this case) to enter another ( the Mountbatten-Windsors). It should have been done then by a Ragland or a Markle, not by a Mountbatten-Windsor.

[sarahedwards2]

What about the question “Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?”

[Tatiana Maria]

Originally Posted by wbenson

"Ms. Meghan Markle has asked His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to accompany her down the aisle of the Quire of St George's Chapel on her Wedding Day. The Prince of Wales is pleased to be able to welcome Ms. Markle to The Royal Family in this way."

Originally Posted by wbenson

https://twitter.com/emynash/status/997403740280967168

"I’m told Meghan will walk to the quire with her bridesmaids and page boys and the Dean of Windsor, which was always her intention. And for clarity, Charles will NOT “give her away” - he’s accompanying her down the aisle. "

That seems appropriate; it would not have been logical if the Prince of Wales "gave her away" as opposed to "accompanying her down the aisle" given that she is not leaving Charles's family, but joining it.

I join in the hope that it was Doria's choice not to accompany her daughter down the aisle and that the option was not omitted based on gender. After all, even Queen Victoria walked two of her daughters down the aisle, as was mentioned earlier.

Originally Posted by sarahedwards2

What about the question “Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?”

It is included in the alternative liturgy used in previous British royal weddings, but not the default marriage liturgy of the Church of England.

https://www.churchofengland.org/pray...rship/marriage
https://www.churchofengland.org/pray...tion-matrimony

[W.Y.CII]

I don't find it not make sense, there is a tradition that father walks his daughter down the aisle but not every bride has to do so. Olav escorted Sonja and even IIRC Charles himself escorted his friend's daughter too (I don't remember her name). It's not about does it make sense to us but does it make sense to them.
(But yes I still hope Doria will be the one escort Meghan. But Charles is a wise choice)

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by Cocoasneeze

Some families are not functional, and Meghan took her distance from her family years ago. I think she's happy and content with it, and isn't missing her family. She has built her own family of people she can trust.

And it's been made clear, that no one is giving her away. Charles is just walking with her some part of the aisle.

Has it been made clear ? I was watching CNN USA now and their correspondent said Prince Charles “ would give her away”. Maybe the American press simply misunderstood it.

If there is no actual “ giving away”, I.e if they change the liturgy ( which would be unprecedented, I think, for the Royal Family), then I am OK with it.

[Osipi]

This might actually be a way of doing things for a woman going into her second marriage. She is having her mother escort her from her hotel to Windsor Castle where Doria will go ahead and take her place in the congregation. Meghan, along with her little bridesmaids and page boys will enter the Chapel and proceed up the aisle to the quire as a single woman, on her own and freely coming into this marriage. She meets Charles at this point where he, as a representative of the House of Windsor and father of the groom welcomes her and escorts her towards his son whom *he* is giving in marriage to Meghan as its his son's first marriage and has the blessing of his family.

I think its a touching and symbolic way to work everything of importance into this ceremony. I'm sure that if the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Church of England had any objections to the way this is being done, it wouldn't be done this way at all and quashed right quick. It takes into account that this is Meghan's second marriage and that no one is "giving her away" but yet brings a ceremony into the 21st century where the father of the groom is also playing an important part in this union.

I absolutely love it.

[Curbside]

Looks like the words are "Who brings this woman?"

[wyevale]

then I am OK with it.

They will all be SO relieved...

[Dman]

I hoped The Prince of Wales would walk Meghan down the aisle. Very touching!

I had no doubt that Prince Philip would be there. He would’ve been there with two broken legs and a rubber crutch.

[Osipi]

Originally Posted by M. Payton

I also wondered about all those children for I hope someone is going to corral them into not running wild ......I can see it now, cute, gorgeous children all dressed in their finery seeing all the decorations, the lights, the people and off they go....are there enough adults in the wedding to catch each child before they run out the door..........

The way I envision it, the kids will follow behind Meghan as she enters the chapel and makes her way up the aisle. Once she meets Charles, the kids will be whisked away elsewhere during the ceremony and rejoin the bridal party for the recessional. If I'm not mistaken, none of the children sat through William and Kate's entire wedding ceremony.

[O-H Anglophile]

Originally Posted by RoyalNight

Not a fan of the arrangement. If anyone it should be her mother walking Meghan down the isle.
IMO Meghan should walk alone or with Harry. She's in her late 30s, on her second marriage, out of the house for many years and already living with Harry. She doesn't need anyone to give her away.

Charles is not "giving her away." He is accompanying her. Big difference. He will be a good supportive companion.

Edit to add: Even if they left in the "Who giveth this woman"question, I have been at a wedding where the bride was escorted by an uncle but when that question was asked the bride's mother stood up and said "I do"

[rominet09]

I am quite delighted ! I have always appreciated Prince Charles !

[leticia.h]

Doesn't Meghan have any male family members to give her away? This is so weird

[ACO]

https://edition.cnn.com/2018/05/18/e..._source=twCNNi

Apparently her dad was going to do exactly what Prince Charles is doing. So Doria was never going to walk her the entire time anyways. Also Doria might not have wanted that spotlight. No doubt she gave her blessing.

Personally I like this. And what a treat for Charles.

[Zaira]

IMO, I think this is very convoluted. It is (hopefully) Meghan's decision but it just strikes me as strange.

All well.

[DuchessMia]

Excellent news! Very happy for both of them!

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by O-H Anglophile

Charles is not "giving her away." He is accompanying her. Big difference. He will be a good supportive companion.

Edit to add: Even if they left in the "Who giveth this woman"question, I have been at a wedding where the bride was escorted by an uncle but when that question was asked the bride's mother stood up and said "I do"

It is not clear if there will be a “ giving away” or who will do it, The BBC is not saying anything about it, just that Charles would walk her down the aisle. The CNN correspondent on the other hand said half an hour ago in their morning show that Prince Charles would walk her down the aisle and give her away, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the American press is wrong, as that has become a norm lately ( and not only in Royal matters) .

EDIT; I noticed now that the CNN.com site is confirming there will be no “give away”. , but I will wait for official confirmation in the order of the service.

[Osipi]

Let's face it. Its generally accepted that when one hears "walking the bride down the aisle", it is equated with "giving her away" as has been done for a very long time.

I'm going to stick with the official announcement that "Ms. Meghan Markle has asked His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to accompany her down the aisle of the Quire of St George's Chapel on her Wedding Day." Nothing about giving away or anything to that effect.

[O-H Anglophile]

Originally Posted by JuliannaVictoria

I think her mom probably felt uncomfortable in the spotlight. While for months many speculated that it would be her mother who walks her down the aisle, I don't think that was the case inside KP. I think it was always supposed to be the dad, however, I think the pressure got to him.

I agree with this entire assessment. And as much as there is a strong loving bond between Meghan and her mother, this is not an ordinary wedding. Being the focus of that much attention during the walk down the aisle with Meghan might be uncomfortable for Doria, it would be for me.