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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are now allowed to have a royal wedding, thanks to a law change

Photo credit: Imaxtree
Photo credit: Imaxtree

From Harpers Bazaar UK

Following in the footsteps of the Queen and Prince Philip, Princess Diana and Prince Charles, and Prince William and Kate Middleton, it has now been confirmed Prince Harry is allowed to marry his divorcee girlfriend, Meghan Markle, if he decides to propose.

According to the Express, a spokesman for Westminster Abbey has said: 'The Abbey follows the General Synod Ruling of 2002. Since then it has been possible for divorced people to be married in the Church of England.'

The spokesman also confirmed that the Suits actress' Jewish background would not prevent her from having an 'interfaith' marriage to the 32-year-old royal.

However, if the pair do decide to get married, they would reportedly first have to receive permission from the Queen and, it is widely believed, a special license from the Archbishop of Canterbury given the fact that Markle married US film and TV producer, Trevor Engelson, in a Jewish ceremony in 2011.

While there is no legal barrier that prevents members of the Royal Family from marrying someone from another faith – be it Jewish, Buddhist or Muslim faith – or of no faith, under the Act of Settlement of 1701, no one in the direct line of succession was allowed to marry a Catholic and keep their right to the throne.

Fortunately, amendments to the act made in 2015 meant Royal Family members are now able to marry a Catholic, however, a Roman Catholic is still unable to become the monarch, because he/she must be the head of the Church of England.

Despite changes to the General Synod's (the legislative body of the Church of England) 2002 guidance, Prince Charles chose to marry Camilla Parker-Bowles in a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall in 2005, rather than in a church.

The idea that Harry would be able to marry divorcee Markle will appease Royal Family fans, especially when they recall the heartbreaking decision made my Princess Margaret in 1955, when she broke off her relationship with divorced Captain, Peter Townsend, in the name of duty.

'Mindful of the Church's teaching that Christian marriage is indissoluble, and conscious of my duty to the Commonwealth, I have resolved to put these considerations before any others,' read her official statement on the issue.

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