Meghan Markle is set to be baptised as an Anglican by the Archbishop of Canterbury this month, a report claims.
Prince Harry’s bride-to-be – who was raised a Protestant, went to a Catholic school and married a Jewish man – will be welcomed into the church at a service in Kensington Palace.
Among the people expected to attend the private event are Meghan’s father, Thomas, and her mother, Doria Ragland.
Prince Harry’s bride-to-be – who was raised a Protestant, went to a Catholic school and married a Jewish man – will be welcomed into the church at a service in Kensington Palace
Meghan has reportedly asked for Justin Welby (pictured), the Archbishop of Canterbury, to perform the ceremony because she has ‘formed a close bond with him’
Thomas (right) – who was Episcopalian (an American branch of Anglicanism) when Meghan was born – will travel from Mexico, while Doria (left) – who was a Protestant – will come from California
Thomas – who was Episcopalian (an American branch of Anglicanism) when Meghan was born – will travel from Mexico, while Doria – who was a Protestant – will come from California, according to The Sunday Times.
Meghan has reportedly asked for Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, to perform the ceremony because she has ‘formed a close bond with him’.
A source told The Sunday Times: ‘She and Harry have been doing wedding prep with [the archbishop].’
Meghan went to Catholic Immaculate Heart high school as a teenager and later married Trevor Engelson, who is Jewish.
While she did not take his faith, their wedding – in Jamaica in 2011 – was conducted with many Jewish traditions, with the couple being lifted on chairs.
Why Protestantism reigns in England
Meghan’s decision to be baptised is not strictly necessary for her to be married in the Church of England, but is believed to desire it out of respect to the Queen’s strong faith
King Henry VIII’s reign saw England turn in favour of Protestantism and split from the Catholic Church.
The split came about after the Pope refused to annul the King’s first marriage to Catherine of Aragon, which he wanted because she could not give him a male heir.
The King in turn declared himself head of the Church of England.
From then on, only Protestant worship was permitted and Roman Catholics were ousted.
He also started to close down monasteries, taking their land and money.
Britain swayed between Protestantism and Catholicism during the tenures of Henry’s successors, Edward and Mary, but Protestantism was ultimately victorious with the elevation of William III to the throne.
In 1701, the Act of Settlement barred Catholics from the throne.
Meghan’s decision to be baptised is not strictly necessary for her to be married in the Church of England, but is believed to desire it out of respect to the Queen’s strong faith and the traditions of Protestantism in the monarchy.
They divorced two years later.
Meghan was not required to formally become an Anglican to marry Harry, but it is thought she wanted to do so out of respect for the Queen, who is the head of the Church of England.
While many people brought up in the faith are baptised as children, adults can undergo the religious ceremony too.
‘You are never too old to take this step, and being baptised as an adult is a wonderful experience,’ the church’s website states.
During the ceremony water is usually either poured on the person’s head at the font or they may be fully immersed in a special pool within the church.
The service of confirmation can only take place if a person has been baptised, and is about confirming the promises about their faith that were made at the baptism.
Meghan could be baptised and confirmed in the same ceremony.
Meghan and Harry will be married at Windsor Castle on May 19.