The Jewish Royal Wedding

On 29th April 2011, the world watched as Prince William married his long term girlfriend Kate Middleton. What was the Jewish representation here?

Well firstly, Prince William and Kate Middleton received an unusual wedding gift – a Jewish-style marriage contract – a Ketubah. Michael Horton, a British-born Israeli, designed the intricately illustrated Ketubah. The custom-made contract in Hebrew and English combines traditional language with egalitarian themes. The Ketubah is of course common for Jewish couples getting married.

There was no circling of the groom, breaking of the glass or Chuppah at the wedding. However, Jewish attendees included the Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks and Reform movement president Rabbi Tony Bayfield as well as Rabbi Alan Plancey. David Beckham of course attended. Allegedly he has been quoted as saying he is ‘“half Jewish” from his mother’s side.

British Jewry has great respect for the Royal family and demonstrating the effective integration of the Jewish population – is that every Shabbat in Synagogues across the country a prayer is said for the health and well being of the Royal Family.

Meanwhile in Hyde Park, MIB were the band chosen to entertain the 300,000 guests that flocked to Hyde Park to watch the festivities. This is quite an honour for the very popular function band who are more used to Jewish weddings.

MIB have become increasingly popular over the past few years, performing all over the UK (and the world) to corporate events, private parties, and weddings (of course including plenty of Jewish Weddings).

MIB are part of MIB Music, a company that runs and manages some of the UK’s top acts. ‘Quite often for Jewish Weddings, clients will ask us to arrange the whole day’s worth of entertainment, and we love to get as involved as possible,’ says Sera. ‘Performing for the Royal Wedding Party at Hyde Park was quite different to a Jewish Wedding – but of course a great honour and the crowd really enjoyed themselves”.

You can contact MIB here

shareShare on Facebook0Tweet about this on Twitter0Share on Google+0Share on LinkedIn0