A RETIRED senior Winchester churchman has chided the American archbishop who preached at the Royal wedding.

The Very Rev Trevor Beeson, 91, who served as Dean of Winchester from 1987-96, has written a letter to The Times criticising the flamboyant address which Mr Beeson said was a mistake.

The letter, published on Tuesday, said: “The sermon delivered by the Most Rev Michael Curry was, I believe, seriously misjudged and distorted what was otherwise a delightful and moving occasion.

“A wedding sermon should be addressed primarily to the bride and bridegroom, who are themselves ministers of the marriage sacrament, and overheard by the congregation. It should certainly not seek to harangue the world at large. It should illuminate the significance of marriage, mention some of its joys and sorrows and the opportunities and demands that it brings and indicate the religious resources available to meet these lifelong guides to happiness.

“All of which can be achieved in five to seven minutes. This will not bring the preacher world fame but it may well contribute something important to a marriage service, whether in a royal chapel or a village church.”

The Very Rev Trevor Beeson,

Dean Emeritus of Winchester

  • Scroll through the gallery above for photos from Winchester's royal wedding parties.