It's been nearly four months since the world learned of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's engagement, and now the big day is finally getting the royal stamp of approval. Buckingham Palace recently released a letter from Queen Elizabeth herself, giving her official consent to the highly anticipated royal wedding set for May 19. This formal approval is a crucial step, and with the Queen's nod, everything is officially on track for the big day.
Just like with any major royal event, every detail of the Queen's letter has been scrutinized with a fine-tooth comb. Some particularly eagle-eyed royal enthusiasts have noticed what might be a subtle jab at Meghan in the wording of the declaration. While it's all about formality and tradition, the language used can sometimes speak volumes. So, let's dive into the details and see what everyone's talking about.
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
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Breaking Down the Royal Declaration
Here's the official wording from the Queen's letter: "My Lords, I declare My Consent to a Contract of Matrimony between My Most Dearly Beloved Grandson Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales and Rachel Meghan Markle, which Consent I am causing to be signified under the Great Seal and to be entered in the Books of the Privy Council." Let's break this down, shall we?
First off, take a moment to appreciate all those middle names Prince Harry has. He's referred to as "my most dearly beloved grandson," which is about as warm and fuzzy as royal language gets. On the other hand, Meghan is simply listed as "Rachel Meghan Markle." Now, it's worth noting that Meghan dropped the "Rachel" when she pursued her acting career, so this might just be a nod to her full legal name. But still, there's something about the contrast that has people talking.
Comparing Meghan's Letter to Kate's
Let's rewind to 2011 when Prince William and Kate Middleton got their royal blessing. Back then, William was also called "most dearly beloved," but Kate was referred to as "our Trusty and Well-Beloved Catherine Elizabeth Middleton." Notice the difference? Some are interpreting the lack of "trusty and well-beloved" for Meghan as a sign of cooler relations. But let's not jump to conclusions too quickly.
It's important to remember that the letter we're seeing is just a typed memo from the palace, not the official document that gets recorded in the books. There's a good chance Meghan will be given the same warm title once the official paperwork is finalized. Plus, recent reports suggest that Queen Elizabeth, Harry, and Meghan had a cozy lunch together at Windsor Castle on Mother's Day in the UK, so it seems like they're all on good terms.
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
Why Does Harry Need the Queen's Permission?
Here's where things get a little more formal. According to the Royal Marriages Act, the first six people in line for the throne must get the reigning monarch's permission before tying the knot. Harry is currently fifth in line, after Prince Charles, Prince William, and his nephew and niece, Prince George and Princess Charlotte. So, this rule definitely applies to him.
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Now, the Queen has never officially denied a request, but if Harry had gone ahead and gotten married without her approval, both he and any future children would be banned from the throne. So, you can see why this step is so important. It's all about maintaining tradition and ensuring a smooth line of succession.
This story was written by Katie Rosseinsky and originally appeared on our sister site, Grazia Daily.
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