Virginia’s plans for a chill Saturday cleaning out stuff went askew, hijacked by the Royal Wedding. You know, the one today @ Windsor Castle with British Prince Harry & American actress Meghan Markle, now the Duke and Duchess of Sussex?

Hadn’t planned to watch, but last night my brother asked to record it (history and all that) so I set our DVR to capture it in the wee hours. Checking in on network coverage after breakfast, suddenly all the chattering highlights intrigued me into a look-see.

But first, watching a royal wedding ‘tis best done in style (even @ home.) On went the kettle, out came my finest china cup from England (a gift overseas 20+years ago), whisk went a tablecloth on the TV table, and out came an English serving tray from the depths of the tray cupboard (another treasured gift.)

Stymied by the tea selection for such an important viewing, it didn’t take (too) long: Jane’s Garden Tea by Harney & Sons (a favorite green tea made with roses.) Fortified with cuppas from the first (of three) pots of tea, tuned into the wedding service.

Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow!

Royal British pomp & circumstance met Gospel traditions and American liveliness, with Love (note the capital ‘L’) the connecting factor.

So many lovely details – Meghan’s dress, elegantly classic (& gorgeous), the way Prince Charles accompanied her down the aisle (after she walked part-way herself), Meghan’s mother (classy, classy lady!), ethereal music, but loveliest, how Prince Harry’s eyes lit up when he saw his beloved.

When the Most Reverend Michael Curry, leader of the Episcopal church in America, began his message, Virginia geeked out with her notebook. He brought his A-game (& God’s, too, methinks) with a fiery message about LOVE.

He began by quoting Martin Luther King, Jr, “We must discover the power of love, the redemptive power of love. And, when we do that, we will make of this old world a new world. For love, love is the only way.”

He went on, “There is power in love, not just in its romantic forms, but any shape, any form of love because ultimately the source of Love is God. There is power in Love to help and heal when nothing else can. There is power in Love to lift up and liberate when nothing else will. There is power in Love to show us the way to live. Jesus said to love your neighbor as yourself… if we do that (& love ourselves, too) there’s real power, power to change the world.”

Bishop Curry said so much more, so eloquently, but his basic message: There is power in Love, especially God’s love that knows no boundaries or division, and we need to love each other, more.

The Kingdom Gospel Choir sang a rousing ‘Stand by Me’ that moved hearts there & across the globe, then later sent off the happy couple with a thoroughly uplifting Gospel ‘Amen’ interspersed with ‘This Little Light of Mine.’  Truly glorious! Truly groundbreaking @ a royal wedding!

What got Virginia teary-eyed? When 19-year old cellist, Sheku Kanneh-Mason launched into Franz Shubert’s Ave Maria, and when commentators shared afterward that Prince Harry had picked flowers for Meghan’s bouquet, including Princess Diana’s favorite forget-me-nots.

Learning more about Meghan Markle, now the Duchess of Sussex, her life journey and how she has served as an advocate helping others all around the globe is truly inspiring. She reminds me of Princess Diana – her work with landmine awareness, HIV/AIDS, and many other issues. Surely, Princess Di would be pleased for her son, for England, America and the world.

Three pots of celebratory tea (all for me) later: Jane’s Garden Tea, then Empress Grey (a loose leaf favorite from Stash), followed by a Darjeeling (the champagne of teas.)

Once when I forgot to pour my brother his cup of tea, he said, “I need to get in touch with my inner feelings, but it’s hard to do without my Darjeeling!” (A creative way to get a cup of tea – and he got his!)

Inner feelings? Today, unexpectedly overwhelmed watching this slice of history. Martin Luther King, Jr. quoted in a royal wedding? Love with a capital ‘L’ messaged for the world to hear? Gospel choirs mingling with choral meisters? People from all walks of life rubbing elbows and hearts to celebrate a joyous occasion:

Two young people in love creating bridges of love, possibilities of what can be.

grace, peace & Love (!!)

Virginia : )

“Some day, after we have mastered the winds, the waves, the tides and gravity, we will harness for God the energies of Love and then for the second time in the history of the world man will have discovered fire.”  Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

(p.s. All wedding photos taken of CBS coverage on our TV.  : )