[Church in Wales] Although the world’s media were kept at bay, a vicar from Neath had a ringside seat at singer Katherine Jenkins’ wedding.

For Canon Stephen Ryan from Katherine’s hometown parish church of St David’s was not only invited to attend the wedding at Hampton Court Palace on Saturday but also helped with the wedding blessing.

Details of the Neath-born mezzo-soprano’s marriage to American film director and artist Andrew Levitas had been kept closely under wraps, with just close family and friends invited.

That small group included Canon Ryan as it was at St David’s Church in Neath that the classical star first learnt to sing and it is the church that she still attends when she returns to Wales to visit family and friends.

“It was a great pleasure to be present at the wedding of Miss Katherine Jenkins, OBE, and Mr Andrew Levitas at Hampton Court Palace,” said Canon Ryan.

“Katherine and her family have always been faithful members of St David’s Church in Neath and for many years sang in the church choir. Katherine attends the church when she is home visiting family and friends.

“The wedding ceremony was a wonderful occasion in the historic royal palace at Hampton Court and it was enjoyed by everyone present. There were many Welsh touches to the service and the reception including the Welsh flag flying from the palace tower. It was lovely to meet Andrew’s family who had travelled from New York to be present.

“Everyone at St David’s and the Parish of Neath send their very best wishes to Katherine and Andrew and it was important to them both that their wedding was blessed by the priest from her home parish in Wales.”

The couple had to be given permission from Buckingham Palace to fly the Welsh dragon at their wedding venue.

Last May Katherine held an intimate concert at St David’s Church to launch the St David’s Church Tower Restoration Appeal which aims to raise £500,000 to secure the future of the iconic Neath landmark.