Westminster Abbey has confirmed the identity of the nuns who sat next to William and Kate: neither of whom, I am informed, are available for interview. So we shall never be able to ask them how it felt to wear grey habits and Reeboks next to a Duchess’s Sarah Burton.
My thanks to Rosemary, a regular contributor to the Shrewsday comments section, who found evidence of their identity at the Abbey website, having spotted them at another high profile occasion: the visit last year of Pope Benedict XVI.
Here starteth the response from the Press Office at Wabbey:
“The Sisters seen in the Sacrarium of Westminster Abbey at the Marriage of Prince William and Catherine Middleton are members of the Anglican Community of the Sisters of the Church, founded in London in 1870 by the daughter of an Anglican vicar, Emily Ayckbowm.
Sister Annaliese and Sister Judith seen at the service are Chaplains at Westminster Abbey, the former for the past year for a day a week, the latter since September 2007 for several days a week.
Dean and Chapter of Westminster as well as the Abbey community are very affirming of them, first as a praying presence and then in their pastoral role and concern towards the staff (of which there are over 200) and the many people who visit the Abbey. Judith also takes her turn preaching at the main Eucharist on Sundays and in leading choir offices.
They both find it a wonderful place to be.”
Do you know: what with our sisters in Reeboks, and Ben the cartwheeling verger who thought the cameras had been turned off: I rather think it must be.
Kate Shrewsday 
I’m so pleased you got to the bottom of this. It has been – here comes that word I overuse on your blog again – fascinating.
Did the Abbey reply to you, or did you get this somewhere else?
They replied to me, Tilly. I regret throwing a queenie fit now. Their press office seems every bit as lovely as their front of house.
If a trifle tardy.
Well, they had a lot of cleaning up to do, plus two bank holidays. You do know it’s only Tuesday, don’t you? 😉
It’s been a very long weekend, Tilly 😀
The virger, virgin on the ridiculous?
Not at all ;-D Westminster Abbey’s twitter? Ben the verger will not be disciplined. He was reflecting the Abbey’s exuberance at a very successful Royal Wedding.
It was but a play on words, Kate! I love a bit of ridiculocity myself!
Have you seen Isobel’s comments?
I haven’t, and I know your sense of humour by now, Pseu-just wanted a chance to shoehorn the Twitter comment in 😀
http://isobelandcat.wordpress.com/2011/04/30/munchkin-afloat/
Brilliant!
Terrific post!
Joyful and Joy-filled . . . the way all churches should be!
Thanks, Kate.
Lovely, isn’t it? You’re welcome, Nancy…
Amen.
Thanks for bringing this ’round and letting us know about this two holy sisters, Kate.
Pleasure, Penny 🙂
One day, I would like to meet Sr Judith, though. There is something akin to a bee in my bonnet about her now 🙂
I’m so glad, but sorry they’re not available for interviews, you must persist!
Love Ben 🙂
I shall keep my ear to the ground, Nancy 😀
Oh, well done, Rosemary and Kate – perhaps a visit to the abbey on the right duty day will get you an informal personal interview…
Oooooh BB, project!
Delightful! Does anyone know why they were accorded such a place of honor, and by whom? Are they known to either or both the bride and Groom?
how nice to know that the PTB approve of exuberance
Isn’t it? They seem a very grounded bunch.
Can’t fault the Reeboks, Sisters – and way to go, Ben, the cartwheeling verger…LOVE it!!!
It has been an eventful wedding 🙂
Lovely and I think they deserve those two seats mind you!