Meghan Markle has been baptised into the Church of England in a secret ceremony with Prince Harry at her side.
The intimate 45-minute service was conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury at the Chapel Royal on Tuesday evening, the Daily Mail reports.
The couple were joined by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, but neither Prince William nor the Queen were present.
Miss Markle’s baptism, which formally introduces her into the Anglican faith ahead of her wedding to Harry in two months, marks an important step on her transformation from divorced
American actress to future granddaughter-in-law to the Queen.
The ceremony was a closely-guarded secret with only a handful of royal aides involved.
Miss Markle, 36, had asked the 62-year-old Archbishop, Justin Welby, to lead the service after forming a close bond with him in recent weeks as he instructed her on the rites and sacraments of the Church.
Her baptism was followed immediately by her confirmation, which means she will be able to join Harry, 33, at Holy Communion.
Miss Markle did not need to become an Anglican in order to marry Harry in church, but at the time of their engagement last November she made clear she had chosen to be baptised and confirmed out of respect for the Queen’s role as the head of the Church of England.
Insiders also said it was fitting that the Prince of Wales, who will be the next head of the Church, attended the service.
Miss Markle and Harry will marry on May 19 at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. The marriage service will be conducted by the Dean of Windsor, David Connor, with the Archbishop presiding as the couple make their vows.
Tuesday’s service observed the full ritual of the Church with holy water from the River Jordan from the private Royal Family font poured on Miss Markle’s head.
The Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace is particularly significant in Harry’s life as well as the history of the Royal Family.
It is where Princess Diana’s body lay for a week before her funeral in 1997 and where King Charles I received the Holy Sacrament before his execution in 1649.
The chapel also hosted Prince George’s christening in 2013.
