Queen Elizabeth II allowed her grandson Harry to marry Ms Meghan Markle, in the official document the monarch used their real names – Prince Henry” and “Rachel Meghan Markle”.
Queen’s declaration, given at a meeting of the Privy Council on Wednesday, reads that her “most dearly beloved grandson Prince Henry” and “Rachel Meghan Markle” got the formal consent from the Queen. After that, they can tie a knot.
The formal declaration is a must when it is about the marriage in the royal family. The monarch did the same for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Queen will have signed an Instrument of Consent, issued under the Great Seal of the Realm.
That tradition – a monarch’s permission – has been sought for those in the line of succession since the 18th century.
Formal approval under Royal Marriages Act is a must since 1772
The British monarchy has special Royal Marriages Act 1772, which regulates the marriages. According to it, all descendants of George II had to obtain the sovereign’s agreement before they wed, otherwise the marriage was invalid.
The first six people in the line of succession must have the Queen’s consent before they can marry on May 19, as set out by the Succession to the Crown Act 2013.
In case if Prince Harry or anyone from the first six people in the line of succession has married without the monarch’s approval, he and his descendants would be banned from ever ascending to the throne. The act’s introduction saw sex removed as a determining factor in the line of succession, meaning Prince Harry is fifth-in-line behind Princess Charlotte.
After getting the official consent from Queen, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will keep on preparations for the wedding ceremony, which takes place at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, on 19 May.
