Royal wedding: Church of England releases prayer for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

The Church of England has released a prayer for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's upcoming wedding.

The Church asks for God's blessing on the couple and prays that 'they may both live and grow in your love all their days, through Jesus Christ our Lord'.

The Royal wedding will take place in St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle on May 19. The archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, will officiate at the service after forming a close bond with the couple.

Welby also presided over the baptism and confirmation of Ms Markle into the Church of England at a secret ceremony which he described as 'beautiful' and 'very special'.

The archbishop previously said the couple's decision to marry 'before God' in a church was based on a 'seriousness both about faith and about their lives together'.

'I have met Prince Harry on a number of occasions and have always been struck by his commitment and passion for his charities, and his immense love for his family,' he said in a statement from Lambeth Palace.

'Marriage is a special and joyous commitment, one that Jesus celebrated together with friends at the wedding in Cana. I am so happy that Prince Harry and Ms Markle have chosen to make their vows before God.

'I am very, very sure after conversations that this is no tick-box exercise,' he later told the BBC's Today programme.

'There is a profound sense of commitment, seriousness both about faith and about their lives together which is quite inspirational.'

He added: 'It is important because people look at it and they will see a model of how two people commit their lives to one another before God and in the presence of millions of people.'

The prayer reads:

God of love,
send your blessing upon Harry and Meghan,
and all who are joined in marriage,
that, rejoicing in your will
and continuing under your protection,
they may both live and grow in your love
all their days,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen