The commentary in the lead up to the nuptials between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was right, it wasn't going to be your typical royal wedding.
However, at SBS Life, we weren't really prepared for how into the wedding we would be. This wasn't the expected stuffy Church of England affair. From the guests, to the sermons, to the song choices, this wedding showed something is changing in the British monarchy. But for all its subtle political statements, the wedding was ultimately all about love.
Here are our favourite moments:
1. Doria Ragland representing Markle's family with style and grace.
No, Ragland did not end up walking Markle down the aisle, but arriving at the wedding alone was a big statement. Like many single parents, Ragland turned up for her daughter, and seeing the genuine emotion on her face as her daughter got married was beautiful to watch. As one Twitter user wrote, "Beautifully dressed Doria sitting alone in such a beautiful historial moment shows strength, & grace that must be an inspiration to Meghan. This is the reality of many single parents."
Plus, the pairing of Ragland's Oscar de la Renta dress and coat with her nose ring and twisted hair, reinforces how she is unabashedly comfortable being herself.
2. Bishop Michael Curry's sermon
Chicago native Reverend Michael Curry, , certainly took his moment at the royal wedding, and we were all there for it. He referenced Martin Luther King, the civil rights movement and slaves in the Antebellum South to talk about the power of love, shaking up the traditionally unemotional Church of England service. "Two young people fell in love, and we all showed up. But it's not just for and about a young couple who we rejoice with. It's more than that," he said to the seemingly bemused crowd.
Speaking of the power of love, while referencing slavery and civil rights to a room of people who have largely benefited from generations of systemic oppression was a bold move from Reverend Curry, but a very intentional one. Like many parts of the wedding, it's a reminder that the world is changing.
3. Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason
What a performance to add to your CV. Kanneh-Mason, 19, was the first black cellist to win the BBC's Young Musician of the Year award, and is from a family of once described by Simon Cowell as "The Most Talented Family in the World."
He was asked by Markle personally to play at the 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,” Kanneh-Mason said in a statement from Kensington Palace ahead of the wedding. “What a privilege to be able to play the cello at such a wonderful event. I can't wait!” He was clearly enjoying his moment.
4. The song selection
If Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir singing Stand By Me didn't make you well up with emotion, what is wrong with you? One of the most recorded songs (and a very popular wedding choice) it was also adopted as a during the civil rights movement in America.
5. The wedding flowers were turned into bouquets for hospice patients
Along with the wedding's 'no gift policy', the couple sent some of the flowers from the wedding to St. Joseph's Hospital in London. The hospice posted a thank you message on their social media profiles.
Markle's bouquet had special significance—the flowers were picked by Prince Harry from the couple's private garden, and included forget-me-nots, the favourite flower of the late Princess Diana. (No, we're not crying—you are).
6. Serena Williams' social media updates
The G.O.A.T. was not about to let the Royal Wedding steal her thunder, quietly tweeting "Ready for my friend's wedding." We also loved this subtle retweet, calling out double standards when it comes to African-American hair: "If an employer/school ever makes a comment about your twits, braids, or cornrows reply with, "if it's good enough for a #RoyalWedding, it's good enough for you."
She kept the relatable content going during the wedding reception at Frogmore House in Windsor Castle, rocking sneakers with Valentino gown.
