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The Queen Officially Approves Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Marriage

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It’s official — Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are getting married with the Queen’s royal consent! Though Harry, 33, and Meghan, 36, became engaged in November 2017 and are now planning their royal wedding for Saturday, May 19, the couple had to receive formal permission to marry under the Succession to the Crown Act from Queen Elizabeth before tying the knot. And, the monarch just gave them her blessing!

According to documents obtained by People, on Thursday, March 15, the 91-year-old Queen officially granted her grandson Harry permission to marry Meghan in a letter released by Buckingham Palace.

“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,” Queen Elizabeth wrote in the notice.

Prince Harry & Meghan Markle Engagement Photo Getty Images

(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Though it has always been assumed the Queen supported Harry’s decision to marry Meghan, this is the first time Elizabeth has publicly stated that she approves of their union. In the past, Harry and Meghan’s relationship may not have been accepted by the monarch because Meghan is a divorcée. The Suits star was previously hitched to Hollywood producer Trevor Engelson for two years from 2011 to 2013.

In fact, Queen Elizabeth did once prevent her late younger sister, Princess Margaret, from exchanging vows with her true love, Peter Townsend, because the air force officer was divorced. Margaret went on to marry photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones in May 1960, but it has been reported that Margaret never completely forgave her sister (or the crown) for not allowing her to marry Peter.

Margaret’s marriage to Antony did not work out and the pair later divorced in 1978. It has since been said that Margaret paved the way for acceptance of divorce within the British royal family. In fact, three of the Queen and Prince Philip‘s four children — Prince Charles, Princess Anne, and Prince Andrew — have gone through subsequent royal divorces in the public eye. We’re so glad Queen Elizabeth approves of Harry and Meghan’s union and can’t wait for their wedding!

This post originally appeared on our sister site, Closer Weekly.

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