Harry and Meghan

Yes, I was up at 5:00 a.m. to watch the royal wedding of Harry and Meghan. In Thursday’s Wausau Daily Herald, Sarah Razner wrote about why Americans continue to be interested in all things British. Sarah and I corresponded over the last month and she included some of my thoughts in her piece. I compared the royals to cousins, distant family whom we still admire. (Here is a link to the e-edition. You will have to hover over the top of the page and choose Thursday May 17, 2018:)

http://wausaudailyherald.wi.newsmemory.com/?token=18c828c0fb0fcd4f42c8eefab2f51603&cnum=2984797&fod=1111111STD&selDate=20180519&licenseType=paid_subscriber&

The wedding ceremony did not disappoint. Meghan’s dress was simple and elegant. No doubt three-quarter sleeves and boat necks will become the latest rage. Harry looked handsome and sweetly nervous. Most impressively, Meghan, who is open about being bi-racial, brought a diversity never seen before to St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. Bishop Michael Curry of the American Episcopal Church, who happens to be black, quoted Martin Luther King and nineteen-year-old black cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason soloed with a lovely "Ave Maria." A gospel choir from South East London, the Kingdom Choir, sang “Stand by Me.” Doesn’t a gospel choir from London seem like an oxymoron?

That kept everyone awake, even Prince Phillip the Duke of Edinburgh. I could imagine him muttering to the Queen, “Blimey!”

Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, looked lovely, a shorter, browner version of Meghan’s beauty.

Over the years, the royals have won hearts with their emphasis on service to others. Harry and Meghan are set to have duties representing the Queen throughout the Commonwealth. They are perfectly matched to show the world we are all one family. I look forward to their future and, just for today, our planet feels more hopeful.