Boy meets Girl, Boy and Girl fall in love, Boy asks, Girl says yes. Castles, kings, queens, princes, princesses, dukes, and duchesses oh my! All the makings of a great fantasy romance that children, especially young girls, the world over dream of.
In the case of a boy named Harry and a girl named Meghan that fantasy became reality in the hallowed realm of Windsor, St George’s Chapel to be precise, May 19, 2018.
Since saying “I Do”, they have become perhaps one of the most widely publicized and discussed royal couples of the last several decades. While much is hearsay and, dare it be said, gossip, we know they’ve had a very eventful five years of marriage.
In looking back though, how has faith guided them and played a role in their lives? How does it today? Will it be impactful in the future?
FACTS
Prince Harry was born Henry Charles Albert David on September 15, 1984, and baptized into the Church of England, an Anglican faith, on December 21, 1984.
Meghan Markle was born Rachel Meghan Markle on August 4, 1981, and, while evidence of baptism is not public, was raised Protestant. Choosing to join her husband-to-be she was baptized into the Church of England in March of 2018.
The Church of England is the official church of the royal family and has been since 1534 when King Henry VIII broke from papal connections and created the then-new institution.
Harry and Meghan became one, husband and wife, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, two months later as mentioned before at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, the very place Prince Harry was christened 34 years earlier.
While they were young, not much is known about their personal beliefs. We know Prince Harry attended church and from his own words that Prince Charles (now King Charles III), his father, was deeply religious and prayed nightly. We also know that Meghan, as a young woman was brave enough to bring her faith and her prayer life into her life as an actress.
Once they relocated to the United States of America and had their children, things become hazy and it is unknown if they attend church and, if so, where, mostly for their safety and privacy.
We do know Prince Archie, the couple’s first child, continued the royal tradition, with a christening as Church of England, July 6, 2019. However, with their daughter, child two, they seemed to move back to a part of Meghan’s roots, having her baptized through the Episcopal church at a ceremony in their home on the 3rd of March, 2023.
While the seemingly back-and-forth choices and overall ambiguity as to their practicing faith can be frustrating to those that want to know, one thing that has remained constant in their lives is their commitment to doing the Lord’s work – caring for those in need.
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” {Matthew 25:40 NIV}
Having traveled the world and donated millions to continue awareness for the plight of HIV/AIDS-impacted communities, feed the hungry, support military families shattered by loss, and provide focus on mental health needs for those around the world in these chaotic times, they “do for the least of these” and fulfill one of Jesus’ greatest commandments.
PERSPECTIVE
While the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are attempting to serve as a light to the world via their foundation, Archewell, among other avenues, it is important to keep the royal family and indeed all celebrities in perspective.
Everyone has a public story that others know and a private story that very few do.
We are all sinners and we all fall short of the glory of God. Our mission is to submit to our Lord as savior and then endeavor to follow in his divine footsteps and serve as emissaries of the truth of salvation, the light of hope, and sharers of the all-encompassing love and mercy that those who profess Jesus are gifted.
Among Christians, it can be tempting to draw lines of separation based on worldly things like status, income, etc., as well as religious things such as denomination, ceremonial clothing, practices, and many other facets of the spiritual lives we lead. There is a time and place for such discussions, especially where it could impact someone’s true salvation, but where it doesn’t – what we need to focus on instead are drawing circles – circles of community among our brothers and sisters to truly be a light to this scared and hurting world.
Let’s keep our hands working diligently, our eyes turned upward in hope, and join in prayer that the royal family continues to do the same.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In