On May 19, 2018, the world watched as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tied the knot in a wedding that felt both traditional and refreshingly modern. As we celebrate their royal anniversary, it’s a great time to look back at the deeper meaning of that special day, beyond the glitz and glamour. Their marriage was a powerful symbol of unity and inclusivity, and there are some important takeaways that we shouldn’t forget.

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Bishop Curry’s Powerful Sermon: A Message for Everyone

One of the standout moments from the royal wedding was Bishop Michael Curry’s sermon. He spoke with such grace and dignity, paying tribute to Meghan Markle’s African American roots. His words may not have resonated with all the elite, mainly white guests at the ceremony, but they struck a chord with many people around the world.

Imagine our homes and families when this way of love is the way. Imagine our neighborhoods and communities when love is the way. Imagine our governments and countries when love is the way. Imagine business and commerce when this love is the way. Imagine our world when love is the way.

Bishop Curry

Bernice King, the daughter of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., praised Bishop Curry’s sermon for its powerful message of love and unity. It was a reminder of the importance of inclusivity and understanding, lessons that some in the royal circle could learn from. Meanwile in the UK, royal biographer Angela Levin expressed discomfort with the African American preacher’s sermon right after the couple’s wedding, calling Meghan a “mega-watt attention grabber.” Levin has continued her online harassment and racist commentary against Meghan to this day.

Meghan Markle’s Veil: A Symbol of Global Unity

Meghan Markle’s wedding veil was more than just a beautiful piece of fabric. Embroidered with the national flowers from a diverse array of countries—19 from Africa, 7 from Asia, 13 from the Caribbean and the Americas, 3 from Europe, and 11 from the Pacific—her veil was a symbolic embrace of the Commonwealth’s rich diversity. This thoughtful detail symbolized Meghan’s connection to billions of people of color and highlighted the couple’s commitment to embracing diversity.

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In places like Brixton, a multicultural area in south London with a large Afro-Caribbean community, this gesture was especially meaningful. Meghan had visited Brixton before the wedding, showing her genuine interest in and respect for the community. Her veil was a beautiful symbol of bringing the world together.

Learning Respect and Sensitivity

The royal family has had its share of racial insensitivity. A year before the wedding, the then-Prince Charles and Camilla were seen laughing during a traditional Inuit throat-singing performance in Canada. This was seen as disrespectful, especially given the Crown’s history with Indigenous communities.

In contrast, Harry and Meghan’s wedding showed how important it is to respect and honor different cultures. Their approach to inclusivity and respect set a positive example that everyone can learn from.

Celebrations Amid Racial Realities

While Harry and Meghan’s wedding was a joyous occasion, it also took place during a time when Britain was facing some serious issues. A UN report released around the same time highlighted rising racism and intolerance in the UK, partly fueled by the Brexit vote. Hate crimes were on the rise, and black and Muslim communities were feeling increasingly targeted.

The harsh reality is race, ethnicity, religion gender, disability status and related categories all continue to determine the life chances and wellbeing of people in Britain in ways that are unacceptable and in many cases unlawful,”

Achiume, UN’s special rapporteur

Despite the hopeful message of the royal wedding, these issues showed that Britain still had a long way to go in addressing racial inequality. Since Harry and Meghan stepped down as working royals in 2020, due to relentless racism and harassment from both the royal family and the media, many Commonwealth nations have re-evaluated their relationship with the British crown. For instance, there have been increasing calls for Jamaica to cut ties with the monarchy and become fully independent. Despite being a Commonwealth country with the UK monarch as head of state, Jamaicans still face difficulties when traveling to the UK. Many feel it’s time for Jamaica to get rid of the monarchy, as it no longer serves a meaningful purpose.

As we celebrate Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding anniversary, let’s remember the important messages from that day. Their wedding was not just a royal event, but a celebration of unity, inclusivity, and respect for all cultures. These lessons are just as important today and remind us all to strive for a more inclusive and understanding world.

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