Archbishop of Canterbury: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's church wedding is based on genuine faith

The Archbishop of Canterbury has insisted Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to marry in church is based on their genuine faith and commitment.

Justin Welby is thought to be favourite to take the service at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle next May but the details have yet to be announced.

The Archbishop refused to be pressed on whether he would officiate at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in Windsor next May but said their decision to marry in church was based on a commitment to faith.

'I am very, very sure after conversations that this is no tick-box exercise,' he told the BBC's Today programme which was broadcast from Lambeth Palace on Thursday.

'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.'

Asked whether he would take the wedding Welby said 'that is up to them' but said it would a 'wonderful' occasion.

Welby was teased by the BBC's Nick Robinson after he dropped the rings while officiating at the wedding of his head of communications Ailsa Anderson but said he didn't think that had ruled him out from taking the service.

The Church of England's guidance for remarrying divorcees suggests the priest ask the couple a series of probing questions to check they have thought it through. If Welby did take the service he would be expected to ask Meghan Markle a number of questions including 'what have you learned from your previous marriage?' and 'has there been healing of past hurts?' 

Markle, 36, is a Protestant Christian and went to a Catholic high school. She will be baptised before the service and also intends to become a British citizen. 

In a wide-ranging interview with the BBC's Today programme the archbishop also called for a 'ceasefire' on insults and personal attacks over Brexit

News
British court rejects Ukrainian extradition for Church supporter
British court rejects Ukrainian extradition for Church supporter

A British court has rejected an extradition request by the Ukrainian government for a supporter of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

BBC ignorant of religion, says Archbishop of York
BBC ignorant of religion, says Archbishop of York

The BBC suffers from an “appalling lack of religious literacy”, the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, has said.

Iranian Bishop of Chelmsford denounces 'unjust and illegal' war
Iranian Bishop of Chelmsford denounces 'unjust and illegal' war

The Bishop of Chelmsford, who fled from Iran as a teenager, has denounced the US-Israeli attack on the country as “unjust and illegal”.

The calling of Christians in these solemn days
The calling of Christians in these solemn days

In such an hour, the church must neither panic nor grow silent. We are called to pray and to proclaim.