African-American bishop Michael Curry electrified the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with a barnstorming sermon on the power of love that won smiles in the ancient British chapel and praise across the internet.

Curry, the first black head of the Episcopal Church in the United States, started by quoting civil rights hero Dr Martin Luther King and powered on citing spirituals, medieval poetry and the experiences of slaves in the American south.

“There’s power in love. Don’t underestimate it. Don’t even over-sentimentalise it … If you don’t believe me, think about a time when you first fell in love,” he said at the start of an address that jolted the congregation after a long period of serene choral music and ceremony.

By the end, he was referring to Harry and Meghan as “my brother, my sister,” and telling them “God love you, God bless you” before the opening notes of the soul standard “Stand By Me” started up.

Meghan smiled throughout as Harry looked on intently.

“It was a moment for African-Americans. It was like we were at church. It was the word that love conquers all,” said Karen Long from Houston, Texas, who came to Windsor with her sister and friend, all dressed as bridesmaids.

“It was a perfect blend between her culture and the royal culture. As an African-American woman, it was made in heaven,” she said.

The reaction online was overwhelmingly positive.

“Quoting Dr. Martin Luther King from the altar of a British royal wedding. This sermon by Rev Michael Bruce Curry is very American, very boisterous, very passionate. Love it,”…

With a gospel choir, black cellist and bishop, Oprah, Serena and Idris Elba in the audience and an African-American mother-of-the-bride, Saturday’s wedding of Prince Harry to American actress Meghan Markle was a blend of the solemn and the soulful.

Guess who’s coming to Windsor?

The ceremony married the pomp and circumstance of Britain’s most sacred institution with elements of black culture, drawing viewers not normally drawn to the spectacle of the monarchy.

“This was black history,” said Joy Widgeon, who attended a house party in Burlington, New Jersey, with her 6- and 8-year-old daughters in tow. “African-Americans were front and center at the royal wedding. This was the first time, and hopefully it won’t be the last. I am here for it.”

Race has loomed over the couple’s relationship from the beginning. After the pair went public in 2016, Harry lashed out in a public statement at what he described as “racial undertones” in media coverage and overt racism toward his then-girlfriend, who has lamented such views. At the announcement of their engagement last fall, many black women around the world cheered the news as a fairytale that doesn’t always include them.

Markle, 36, became the first black member of the British royal family in modern history. Her mother, Doria Ragland, is black.

A diverse group of about 20 — mostly black women — gathered before dawn on the rainy Saturday at a house party in Burlington, New Jersey. They were among the scores of African-Americans and British Americans participating in the global event in person, at home and…

Meghan Markle has launched her own mini-revolution as she married Prince Harry today in a multi-cultural and US-influenced wedding the likes of which Britain’s royals and the millions watching have never seen before.

The newlyweds shared tears, laughter and a passionate kiss in front of their hundreds of VIP guests dominated by Holywood stars including the Clooneys, the Beckhams, Idris Elba, Oprah Winfrey, Tom Hardy and James Corden.

Elton John, who sang at Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997, performed at the lunchtime reception in a nod to Harry’s tragic past.

All the senior British royals were also there to support them including the Queen, Prince Philip, Harry’s best man Prince William and his wife Kate, who brought George and Charlotte but left baby Louis with the nanny.

Today Meghan became the first mixed-race member of the royal family in an extraordinary journey for a girl born in LA to a white father and African-American mother who before she met her prince fought her way through the tough world of showbusiness to land a plum role in the TV series Suits.

Harry and Meghan’s big day couldn’t have been more different than royal weddings of the past, especially because the prince was visibly emotional throughout – and guests suggested it was the most diverse major event in the Queen’s 66-year reign.

The prince had looked tearful when he saw his bride for the first time, grabbing her hand telling her: ‘You look amazing – I missed you’ before tenderly lifting her veil.

The new Duke of Sussex also said ‘thank you, pa’ after his father Prince…

Meghan Markle’s mother Doria Ragland proudly stood with senior members of the Royal Family on the steps of St George’s Chapel today after watching her daughter marry Prince Harry.

Miss Ragland, who flew over from Los Angeles for the wedding in Windsor, stood with Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

Earlier, the Queen was flanked by her husband Prince Philip, just six weeks after his hip operation, as she waved to the crowds at Windsor Castle upon her arrival for her grandson Harry’s wedding to Meghan.

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Source: Daily Mail

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Two people have been killed in a shooting at a Starbucks cafe near the German city of Saarbruecken.

The Saarbruecker Zeitung newspaper reported Saturday that police have a suspect in custody.

The newspaper reports the shooting was in the Fechingen area, southeast of the city.

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Source: Daily Mail

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A team of archaeologists at Pompeii has uncovered an alleyway of grand houses, with balconies left mostly intact and still in their original hues.

Archaeologists excavating an unexplored part of Italy’s volcanic ash-covered city of Pompeii have discovered a street of houses with intact balconies that were buried when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD.

Some of the balconies even had amphorae – the conical-shaped terra cotta vases that were used to hold wine and oil in ancient Roman times.

The discovery has been hailed as a ‘complete novelty’ – and the Italian Culture Ministry hopes they can be restored and opened to the public.

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Source: Daily Mail

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This is the dramatic moment passers-by rescued two children from a sinking car – after the driver forgot to put the handbrake on.

The kids’ father Raymon Cosio had parked the SUV next to the harbour in Cebu, Philippines, on Wednesday afternoon, and was about to board a ferry.

He then allegedly walked outside with another passenger, Reymund Gascon, leaving the two youngsters in the back seats.

Moments later the car rolled back from the concrete docking area and plunged into the choppy sea.

Onlookers dived into the water and pulled the two youngsters from the silver vehicle before it sank to the sea bed.

Officers said the children were ‘traumatised’ but were not seriously injured after the accident in the town of Cordova.

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Source: Daily Mail

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A US bishop stole the show with his fiery address at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s wedding.

The Most Reverend Michael Curry has been praised for his passionate speech which touched upon slavery, the Old Testament and even quoted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Many of social media were delighted to see the American reverend ‘shake up’ the traditional royal proceedings.

The preacher also provoked a few chuckles in the chapel – and even Harry and Meghan couldn’t help but giggle at one point.

Meanwhile Prince William seemed to be desperately trying to hold back a fit of laughter as Rev. Curry talked about how ‘fire made it possible to text and tweet’.

Camilla and Kate shared a look of bemusement as the reverend continued his sermon.

‘We must discover the power of love, the redemptive power of love, and when we do that, we will make of this old world, a new world,’ he quoted Dr. King.

‘Don’t under estimate it,’ he announced.

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Source: Daily Mail

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