Fiery US bishop brings American flair to royal wedding

WINDSOR, England (AP):

Nothing captured the transatlantic nature of yesterday's royal wedding as much as the guest preacher, whose sermon brought American fire and flair to a very English church service.

The Most Reverend Michael Bruce Curry, the first black leader of the Episcopal Church in the United States, was hand-picked by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to address their 600 wedding guests.

The bishop's passionate sermon on the theme of love, studded with quotes from the bible, Martin Luther King Jr and African-American spirituals, was a contrast to the more solemn and muted Anglican style the royal family is used to.

Many observers were surprised and delighted. BBC broadcaster Jeremy Vine tweeted: "The preacher is doing 50 in a 30 zone and it's brilliant."

Quoting civil rights icon King on the "redemptive power of love", Curry told the bride and groom "it's not just for, and about, a young couple who we rejoice with, it's more than that".

Curry, who like Markle's mother has African ancestors who were slaves in the US, said that even during their time of bondage, love helped those in captivity persevere.

"When love is the way, we actually treat each other, well, like we are actual family," he said in a sermon that touched on poverty, inequality and the healing power of love.

Harry and Markle exchanged a quick glance at one point as Curry drifted from his prepared remarks and ad-libbed. Camilla and Kate the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge traded sidelong glances.

Queen Elizabeth II, who as monarch holds the title of Supreme Governor of the Church of England, did not show any sign of discomfort and looked as stoic as she had through the entire ceremony.