Meghan Markle baptised in secret Church of England ceremony to honor Queen Elizabeth

Meghan Markle has been baptised by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby ahead of her May wedding with Prince Harry.

A report has surfaced that Markle was already baptised using holy water from the River Jordan in a secret ceremony held at the Chapel Royal with Prince Harry by her side. The 45-minute service was also witnessed by Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.

Markle did not need to be baptised as an Anglican in order to marry Prince Harry, but she allegedly decided to commit herself to the baptism to honor Harry's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, because of her role as head of the Church of England.

Earlier, Welby said that his conversations with Prince Harry have proven that the couple is keen to do things properly because they want to honor God in their relationship. "I am very, very sure after conversations that this is no tick-box exercise of 'We ought to get married in church,'" he told Today. "There is a profound sense of commitment, of seriousness both about faith and about their lives together which is quite inspirational."

Markle's father is a Presbyterian while her mother is a Protestant. On the other hand, Prince Harry was baptised as an Anglican shortly after he was born.

Welby has said that the Royal wedding will no doubt be a "beautiful moment" that will be witnessed by millions all over the globe.

"Of course it's important because people will look at it and they'll see a model of how two people commit their lives to one another before God, in the presence of millions of people," Welby said. "That's going to be wonderful, it's always a beautiful moment. Every wedding is profoundly beautiful."

related articles
Archbishop of Canterbury says Church of England has 'dealt with' Meghan Markle's divorce

Archbishop of Canterbury says Church of England has 'dealt with' Meghan Markle's divorce

Royal Wedding: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle invite 2,640 members of the public

Royal Wedding: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle invite 2,640 members of the public

Meghan Markle to be baptised this month 'out of respect for the Queen'

Meghan Markle to be baptised this month 'out of respect for the Queen'

News
All Nations Christian College to sell campus and move courses online
All Nations Christian College to sell campus and move courses online

The college campus has connections with the 19th century abolitionist movement.

What is the biblical basis of Ash Wednesday?
What is the biblical basis of Ash Wednesday?

18 February 2026 is Ash Wednesday, which traditionally starts the season of Lent. This is the story …

Lent for the weary: rethinking the season as rest, not religious hustle
Lent for the weary: rethinking the season as rest, not religious hustle

Has Lent just become another self-improvement project with a spiritual label?

Bible Society stands by 'Quiet Revival' research
Bible Society stands by 'Quiet Revival' research

Questions about the study have been raised.