Grace Thompson
The marriage of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in 2018 sparked interest in the protocols behind royal marriages. Markle's divorce and Catholic ties were seen as potential obstacles, echoing the abdication of King Edward VIII in 1936 due to his marriage to Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee. While British law previously banned monarchs from marrying Catholics, changes in 2015 allowed senior royals to wed Catholics, though Catholic royals still cannot become the monarch. The focus on Meghan and Harry's marriage reflects the public's fascination with royal weddings, which are seen as important occasions of state, attracting significant attention.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of search | 25 June 2023 |
| Royal couple in question | Prince Harry and Meghan Markle |
| Date of their engagement | 27 November 2017 |
| Markle's religion | Catholic ties |
| Previous laws regarding marriage and religion | Monarchs were banned from marrying Catholics |
| Changes to the law | In 2015, the law changed to allow members of the Royal Family to marry a Roman Catholic |
| In 2019, Prime Minister David Cameron announced further planned changes to the laws | |
| In 2019, a Catholic priest in the UK stated that the Anglican Church had changed its doctrine to allow divorcees to remarry in church |
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What You'll Learn
Harry and Meghan's marriage
The marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has been the subject of much media interest and speculation. The couple first began dating in 2016, with their engagement announced in November 2017, alongside plans to marry the following year.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding took place on Saturday 19 May 2018, at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in the United Kingdom. The ceremony was conducted by Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, using the standard Anglican church service for Holy Matrimony. The wedding was noted for its inclusion of African-American cultural elements and its departure from traditional royal customs.
Prior to the wedding, there was speculation about whether Markle's divorce would be an impediment, but the Anglican Church has permitted marriage to divorced persons with a living former spouse since 2002. Markle also began the process of becoming a British citizen, retaining her US citizenship, which was expected to create tax complications.
The wedding was not declared a bank holiday, as was the case with the marriage of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. It also broke with the tradition of holding royal weddings on weekdays, instead taking place on a Saturday, which clashed with the FA Cup Final, an event normally attended by Prince Harry's brother, William.
The marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has continued to attract media attention, with the couple stepping away from royal duties and residing in the US with their two children, Archie and Princess Lilibet. They have since launched various projects, including a Netflix deal and a self-titled series, Harry & Meghan.
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Catholic ties
British law has prohibited monarchs from marrying Catholics for over 300 years. This law is rooted in the fact that the monarch is also the Head of the Church of England, a Protestant Anglican church. The last Catholic monarch was Mary Tudor, also known as "Bloody Mary" for her executions of Protestants.
In 2015, new rules on royal succession were enacted, removing discrimination against Roman Catholics. Under these rules, members of the Royal Family can marry a Roman Catholic and still become king or queen. However, a Roman Catholic royal still cannot become the monarch, and if the children of an heir are raised Catholic, they cannot inherit the throne.
The engagement of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle brought attention to the protocol behind royal marriages. Markle has Catholic ties, as she attended the private Immaculate Heart Convent school in LA. However, changes to the law meant that their marriage no longer required Prince Harry to abdicate his place in the line of succession, as it might have done a few years prior.
Historically, royal marriages have been subject to the rules of the Anglican Church. In 1936, King Edward VIII abdicated the throne in order to marry Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee, in a civil ceremony. At the time, the Church of England did not allow divorced persons to remarry if their first spouse was still alive.
Today, the views of the Royal Family and the Anglican Church on marriage and divorce have evolved. In 2002, a synod of Anglican bishops officially changed Anglican doctrine regarding divorce, declaring that while marriage should be a lifelong commitment, there are exceptional circumstances in which a divorced person may be married in church during the lifetime of a former spouse.
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Royal protocol
The British royal family has a long history of strict protocols and traditions that have, in some cases, evolved over time. One such example is the royal protocol surrounding marriage, specifically in regard to divorce and religious affiliation.
In the past, the royal family has been known to disapprove of divorce. For instance, King Edward VIII abdicated the throne in order to marry Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee, in the 1930s. Similarly, Princess Diana's divorce from Prince Charles in the late 1990s caused some initial controversy, though eventually, he remarried in 2005 to Camilla, who was also divorced. More recently, Meghan Markle's divorce was raised as a possible issue when she became engaged to Prince Harry in 2018, though it did not ultimately prevent their marriage.
Another significant aspect of royal marriage protocol is the religious affiliation of the spouse. British law has prohibited monarchs from marrying Catholics for over 300 years, dating back to King Henry VIII's break with the Catholic Church. This law was changed in 2013 with the Succession to the Crown Act, which allows heirs to the throne to marry Catholics. However, the law still prohibits a Catholic from becoming the monarch, as the sovereign must be in communion with the Church of England, of which the monarch is the head.
In addition to these considerations, there are also specific rules regarding royal consent for marriages. In 2015, the rules were changed so that only the first six in line to the throne must ask the monarch for permission to marry. Prior to this, more distant royal relations who were descendants of George II were also required to seek consent. For example, Princess Eugenie, who is seventh in line to the throne, no longer needs her grandmother's permission, whereas Princess Beatrice, who was sixth in line before the birth of William and Kate's second child, did require the Queen's consent.
Overall, while some aspects of royal protocol regarding marriage have evolved, such as the acceptance of divorce, other rules, like the prohibition on Catholic monarchs, remain in place, shaping the dynamics of royal relationships and the British monarchy as a whole.
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British law changes
British law has undergone significant changes regarding the marriage of members of the royal family, specifically in terms of their religion and the requirement for consent.
The Royal Marriages Act of 1772, enacted by the Parliament of Great Britain, was a pivotal piece of legislation that governed the conditions under which royal family members could legally marry. The Act aimed to safeguard the prestige of the royal house by granting the sovereign the right to veto marriages deemed unsuitable. This Act applied to all descendants of King George II, including those marrying into foreign families, and its scope extended beyond the immediate royal family to more distant relatives of the monarch. Notably, princesses and their descendants who married into foreign families were exempt from this consent requirement. The Act also made it a crime to perform or participate in an illegal royal marriage, with the Criminal Law Act of 1967 eventually repealing this provision.
The Royal Marriages Act of 1772 faced criticism and attempts at repeal due to its broad reach and the severe restrictions it imposed. In the 1950s, Charles d'Olivier Farran, a constitutional law lecturer, argued that the Act might no longer apply to any living descendants of George II due to exemptions and the passage of time. Clive Parry, a Fellow of Downing College, Cambridge, also challenged Farran's interpretation, complicating the theory with citizenship considerations.
In 2011, the Perth Agreement was reached, leading to the repeal of the Royal Marriages Act in 2015. This repeal signalled a shift towards more modern perspectives on royal marriages. The Succession to the Crown Act of 2013, which replaced the previous legislation, mandates that only the first six people in the line of succession need permission to marry to maintain their place in the line of succession. This change reduced the number of individuals required to seek consent compared to the previous legislation.
In addition to the evolving consent requirements, British law has also witnessed a significant change regarding the religion of royal spouses. Historically, monarchs were prohibited from marrying Catholics, a restriction dating back more than 300 years. However, in 2019, Prime Minister David Cameron announced planned changes to this law during a summit of Commonwealth heads of government. He deemed it "simply wrong" that monarchs should be denied the chance to marry a Catholic when they are free to marry individuals of other faiths. While the monarch must remain in communion with the Church of England as its head, the law now allows for greater religious inclusivity in royal marriages.
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Religious upbringing of children
The religious upbringing of children in the royal family has been a topic of interest for many. While there is no definitive answer, it is safe to assume that the children of the royal couple are exposed to and influenced by both Anglican and Catholic traditions.
In 2019, British Prime Minister David Cameron announced planned changes to the laws governing royal succession. These changes allowed a monarch's oldest child to succeed to the throne, regardless of gender. This amendment also enabled senior members of the royal family to marry Catholics. However, the monarch must remain in communion with the Church of England as they are the head of that church, which is Britain's established church.
The religious upbringing of an Anglican-Catholic royal couple's children poses unique questions. While there is no official statement on how these children are raised religiously, it is likely that they receive exposure to both faiths. The children of the royal couple, such as Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, are already members of the royal family and are entitled to be known as princes or princesses. As such, their parents, Prince William and Kate Middleton, aim to provide them with as normal an upbringing as possible while instilling important values to make them well-rounded community members.
Prince William and Kate Middleton have expressed their desire to give their children a normal childhood, emphasizing the importance of spending time together as a family. They enrolled their eldest son, Prince George, in the Westacre Montessori School, which embraces individuality and creativity. Prince George has thrived academically, showing an interest in various subjects, including math, English, French, science, history, geography, and religious studies. He also takes part in extracurricular activities like ballet, guitar, and charity work.
The religious education of Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis is likely to be comprehensive and inclusive, reflecting the modern values of the royal family. While their specific religious practices are not publicly known, it is safe to assume that their parents aim to provide them with a well-rounded understanding of different faiths while prioritizing their privacy and well-being.
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Frequently asked questions
It is unclear which royal couple you are referring to, but if you are referencing Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, then no, they did not get married in the Catholic Church.
Yes, since 2015, the rules have been changed to permit senior members of the royal family to wed a Catholic. However, a Roman Catholic royal still cannot become a monarch.
Yes, a member of the royal family can marry a divorced person. Prince Charles, heir to the throne, married divorced Camilla in 2005.
No, a Roman Catholic royal cannot become a monarch. The monarch is also the Head of the Church of England, which is a Protestant Anglican church.
