Meghan Markle to be baptized at palace ahead of wedding to Prince Harry
Meghan Markle is changing her religion ahead of her May wedding to Prince Harry.
The Protestant-raised actress is reportedly converting to the Anglican faith and will be baptized by the Archbishop of Canterbury at Kensington Palace.
The baptism could occur as early as next week at the palace’s 19th-century chapel, according to The Times.
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Meghan Markle’s mother, Doria Ragland, is expected to attend the ceremony along with her father who reportedly has never Prince Harry in person.
A fairytale wedding
Markle’s change of faith comes just two months before she weds Prince Harry in a much-anticipated ceremony.
The wedding, which will take place at St. George’s Chapel and will start at 12 p.m. U.K. time, or 7 a.m. EST/4 a.m. PST, with a romantic carriage ride through the streets set to take place an hour after that.
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“They hope this short journey will provide an opportunity for more people to come together around Windsor and to enjoy the atmosphere of this special day,” the Kensington Palace statement said of the planned carriage ride.
After the carriage procession, a reception will be held at St. George’s Hall, a state room in the castle. A more private evening reception will be held later by Harry’s father, Prince Charles.
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Special guests
The world is on watch as the May wedding date for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle approaches.
And the royal couple are reportedly extending an invitation to 2,640 members of the public, according to the NY Daily News.
Kensington Palace released a statement announcing that the public will be chosen “from every corner of the United Kingdom,” whether school children, community leaders, non-profit workers, and more.
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“Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle will invite 2,640 members of the public to Windsor Castle on their wedding day to watch the arrivals of the Bride and Groom and their guests and the carriage procession as it departs from the castle,” reads their official Kensington Royal Twitter page.
So, how does one get invited? Well, first, you have to live in the United Kingdom. So, if you’re in the United States, call all your distant cousins and relatives and just maybe you can snag a plus one.
Secondly, they’re choosing up to 1,200 people from a group of nominated persons. The announcement revealed that they have a preference for “young people who have shown strong leadership and those who have served their communities.”
An additional 200 charity workers and 100 school children will also receive an invite.
Heightened security
The guests at the royal wedding will likely face a gauntlet of tight security due to a recent terror scare targeting Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
A letter addressed to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle prompted a terror scare last month in London after it was found to contain white powder.
The letter, which was addressed to both Harry and Meghan at Kensington Palace, was intercepted by security and never made it to either of them. However, they were both informed about the letter and its contents.
The white powder was found to be harmless after experts examined it. London’s Evening Standard reported that police are now investigating the matter.
“Police are investigating after a package containing a substance was delivered to St James’s Palace on Monday, 12 February. The substance was tested and confirmed as non suspicious,” a spokesman for Scotland Yard said.
Police are also reportedly looking into the letter itself, which allegedly contained a racist message.
“Officers are also investigating an allegation of malicious communications which relates to the same package. No arrests; inquiries continue,” the Scotland Yard spokesman said.
