The 19th of May was an unconscionably warm day ~seriously~ I didn’t just wear a sun hat to get into the wedding spirit, I needed it. I firmly believe that this was a pathetic fallacy, the sun-baked streets reflecting the excitement of the crowds parading outside Windsor.

Not only did the wedding produce one of the funniest meme pages of the last year (@garyjenetti) it gave people a chance to celebrate, in the most light-hearted and exciting way.

Regardless of whether you’re a royalist, the wedding of Megan and Harry should be paid attention to, not just because of Rev. Michael Curry.

Quoting Martin Luther King, Jr and discussing slavery, the bishop’s speech was both memorable and politically rife. He stood in front of the English monarchy and discussed slavery. England, once the most atrocious imperial powers in history was listening to him and if you don’t think that this is important, you really should watch his address: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p065ffm0/the-royal-wedding-prince-harry-and-meghan-markle-2-live-coverage

The ceremony was a celebration not only of Megan of Harry but of how having a welcoming and diverse country is something to strive toward, Curry proclaiming the redemptive power of love without consequence: ‘imagine this tired old world where love is this way.’ In short, the speech was a welcome light through the bleak Brexit tunnel.

It should also be noted that Megan walked alone up to the quire, where she was joined by Prince Charles. Not only was this moment a subtle nod to the absence of her father, but a firm, if an indirect, reminder of Megan’s independence. Megan has a career; she’s an incredible actress and philanthropist in her own right; like many other women is also divorced. Historically, divorce has been so frowned upon by the monarchy that Edward VIII caused an abdication crisis marrying Wallis Simpson (a divorcée.)

What I’m trying to say is that Megan had a life before Harry and if, for any reason, they divorce she’d have a remarkable life after him too. That’s why their marriage should be celebrated because it was not only a recognition of their love but one of change and new beginnings- as Curry said, ‘two young people fell in love, and we all showed up,’ as we should continue to do, not only for the royals, but for each other.

P.S. Just look at them! They look like they just came off of the set of a Bond film.

-Shola

Instagram: @sholalee

Email: shola.lee@hss16.qmul.ac.uk

Photo credits: Katie Berrington, ‘Royal Wedding in Pictures’, http://www.vogue.co.uk/gallery/royal-wedding-pictures [accessed 29/05/18]