Relaxed Sarah plays organ

Press, 22 July 1986, Page 1

Relaxed Sarah plays organ

NZPA London Sarah Ferguson was so relaxed in preparations at Westminster Abbey for her wedding to Prince Andrew that once she kicked off her shoes and played over a piece of music on the Abbey organ, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. Robert Runcie, said in an interview with the Press Association.

He paid tribute to the reverence of the couple in their approach to marriage, but also told of the laughter he had shared with them.

“They are blessed with

an unusual mixture of exhilaration and steadiness,” he said.

“It should stand them in good'stead in their marriage as well as in their public life together.” Speaking of the time he had spent preparing the couple for the wedding which he will conduct tomorrow, the Archbishop said: “Any priest will vouch for the seriousness with which couples usually approach their marriage and their determination to give of their best. “Prince Andrew and Sarah are, certainly no exception,” he added. “I

have been greatly impressed by the attention and indeed reverence that they have given to the content of the service itself.

“They have really thought about, and planned, all the details in a way which would blend dignity and sincerity to their central naj* «n “Thev have listened to Sen Scked off her shoes and played over a Piece on the Abbey organ.

“Of course, they both have a fine sense of humour and are quick to

see the funny side of things. So we have laughed quite a lot together over the things we hope won’t happen.” Archbishop Runcie said his first personal prayer for the couple was that the wedding service itself would be a memorable and happy occasion. “I don’t just mean that all will go well .on the day but that it will prove an inspiration to them and a source of strength and encouragement in the years ahead.”

Further reports, pages 10, 14 and 41