Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be serenaded by Ben E King love song Stand By Me at wedding
THE SERVICE at Windsor Castle promises to be a modern affair, with Ben E. King’s classic Stand By Me due to be sung by a choir.
The couple have also chosen not to “obey” each other in their marriage vows — and instead will “honour and protect”.
They will also say “you” instead of “thee”, and Most Reverend Michael Curry, head of the Episcopal Church in the United States, will give the sermon, in a nod to her US roots.
Their Order of Service reveals the soul classic Stand By Me by Ben E King will echo around the 15th-century chapel, performed by Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir.
The gospel choir will perform Etta James’ uplifting version of Amen/This Little Light of Mine — a favourite in African-American churches — as the newlyweds leave the chapel.
However, the posh Order of Service, revealed to the public last night, was printed too late to omit Meghan’s father, Thomas Markle – who is too ill to attend.
Royal bride-to-be Meghan Markle arrived at her wedding hotel yesterday with beloved mum Doria to spend her final night as a single woman.
She said she felt “wonderful” despite a tumultuous week which saw her dad Thomas, 73, pull out of the big day through illness.
Her new father-in-law Prince Charles, 69, will instead walk her down the aisle today before she ties the knot with Prince Harry.
The Duke of Edinburgh, 96, is well enough to attend today, it emerged, but will be on crutches.
Meghan, 36, beamed with happiness last night as she arrived at Cliveden House hotel with mum Doria Ragland, 61.
Social worker Doria has been a “constant source of support” to her daughter since she flew in from LA on Wednesday.
She met the Queen and Prince Philip earlier yesterday for tea along with her daughter and Harry, 33. Sources said the meeting at Windsor Castle went “very well”.
Asked how she was feeling last night, Meghan, in a £1,350 navy Roland Mouret Barwick dress, said: “Wonderful, thank you.”
However Meghan — like Prince Harry — was said to be suffering the “normal nerves” of any couple getting married.
A royal source said: “They are both ready. The last couple of days all their friends have been arriving.
“Everything has started to feel very real after a long time planning. All weddings are complicated to plan, and something on this scale is completely different. They have made every decision.”
Meghan’s dad Thomas pulled out of the big day so late that the order of service — revealed today — still says he will be walking his daughter down the aisle.
Sources said Charles offered to step in instead — despite official claims that Meghan asked him.
Kensington Palace said in a statement yesterday: “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.”
Doria had been tipped to perform the role but Charles is vastly experienced at appearing in large-scale public events amid intense security.
He also performed the duty for Alexandra Knatchbull, daughter of his friend Lord Brabourne in 2016.
It is understood Harry was also involved in the discussions.
Meghan and her “glam squad” of best girlfriends, including stylist Jessica Mulroney and TV producer Lindsay Roth, have taken over an entire wing of the luxury Cliveden House hotel.
There is a white tunnel in place which will be rolled out this morning as Meghan leaves in her dress — ensuring no one sees it before she arrives at St George’s Chapel.
Meghan will walk up the Nave of the chapel — the first part of the church — on her own in front of a global TV audience.
She will be followed by six bridesmaids and four pageboys including Prince George, four, and Princess Charlotte, three.
Meghan will then be joined by Charles through the Quire, which begins in the middle of the Chapel.
Buckingham Palace yesterday confirmed the Duke of Edinburgh — who has been recovering from a hip operation — would be attending the wedding.
Meghan and Harry have brought a modern touch to their marriage ceremony — fusing the old and the new.
Harry will also wear a ring. Meghan will not promise to obey her husband and the wording of the service is more contemporary than traditional.
The service will also feature English Baroque composer William Boyce’s Symphony No 1 in B Flat.
It will use the words from the Marriage Service from Common Worship, printed in 2000, which features modern language, such as “you” rather than “thee” or “thou”.
The prince and his former actress bride will pledge themselves to one another “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part”. In the Declarations part of the service, they will also promise to love, comfort, honour, and protect one another and be faithful to one another for the rest of their lives.
Read the Royal Wedding Order of Service in full here.
The 600-strong congregation will also be asked by the Archbishop of Canterbury: “Will you, the families and friends of Harry and Meghan, support and uphold them in their marriage now and in the years to come?” The guests will then answer: “We will.”
Harry’s mum Princess Diana will also be remembered by the hymn Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer, which was sung at her funeral in 1997 and also at William and Kate’s wedding in 2011.
Harry and Meghan wanted the family of the prince’s late mother to play a role on the day.
Diana’s sister Lady Jane Fellowes will deliver the only reading, from the Song of Solomon, which stresses the strength and power of love.
Kensington Palace said the couple had thought carefully about the music, hymns and other parts of the ceremony, while also turning to Charles for help.
It said: “Like any couple getting married, Prince Harry and Ms Markle have taken a great deal of care in selecting all elements for their service.
“This has been a collaborative effort led by Prince Harry and Ms Markle. They have also sought the advice of the Prince of Wales for the orchestral music before the Service begins.”
Music before the service includes Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Greensleeves and Elgar’s Chanson de Matin.
In keeping with royal wedding tradition, the National Anthem will be played at the end.
Yesterday started early for Meghan and Harry, with both making final wedding-day preparations at their London home of Kensington Palace.
Then they were driven to Windsor Castle in Berkshire for the final rehearsal involving the bridesmaids and pageboys.
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A source told the Sun: “It was pretty chaotic as the kids were quite excited.
“It will be a little like herding a flock of geese but everyone will see the funny side and they are all adorably cute.”
Meghan’s dad Thomas is said to be recovering from heart surgery in the US. She said in a statement on Thursday: “Sadly, my father will not be attending our wedding. I have always cared for my father and hope he can be given the space he needs to focus on his health.”
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