Ethan Walker
The royal wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in 2018 sparked discussions about the role of the Catholic Church in royal marriages. Markle, who attended Catholic school, was previously divorced, and her marriage to Prince Harry was not performed in a Catholic Church. Historically, the Church of England has been the backdrop for royal weddings, with St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle and Westminster Abbey being popular venues. While the Succession to the Crown Act 2013 changed the rules to allow monarchs to marry Catholics, the religious upbringing of heirs remains a complex issue. The question of whether a royal wedding can take place in a Catholic church involves navigating the relationship between the Church of England and the Catholic Church, as well as the personal choices of the royal couple.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Royal weddings in Catholic churches | Rare |
| Reason | The monarch must be in communion with the Church of England because they are the head of that church |
| Catholic monarch | Not allowed |
| Catholic marrying monarch | Allowed since 2013 |
| Catholic heir to the throne | Not allowed |
| Catholic marrying heir to the throne | Allowed since 2015 |
| Example of a royal wedding in a Catholic church | Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in 2018 |
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What You'll Learn
- Meghan Markle had to be baptised and confirmed within the Church of England before her wedding to Prince Harry
- The English monarchy was Catholic, then Church of England, then Catholic again, and has been Church of England for 500 years
- The Act of Settlement of 1701 banned Catholics from succession to the throne
- Royals marry at St. Paul's Cathedral, an abbey, or a cathedral
- Royals are expected to be Anglican, but King Charles may be a defender of faiths
Meghan Markle had to be baptised and confirmed within the Church of England before her wedding to Prince Harry
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took place on Saturday, 19 May 2018, at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in the United Kingdom. The groom, Prince Harry, is a member of the British royal family and a confirmed Anglican. The bride, Meghan Markle, is American and was previously an actress, blogger, charity ambassador, and advocate.
Although Meghan Markle was not required to be baptised to marry Prince Harry, she chose to be baptised and confirmed within the Church of England before the wedding. Markle was baptised and confirmed on 6 March 2018 by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, at St. James's Palace. Markle studied the rites and sacraments of the Church of England for several weeks under the tutelage of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Markle's decision to convert was out of love for Prince Harry and his family, and as a sign of respect for the Queen, who is the head of the Church of England. By converting, Markle demonstrated her commitment to Prince Harry's faith and her regard for the Queen and her role as a Church leader. Additionally, by being confirmed, Markle could take communion in church alongside her future husband.
It is worth noting that the fact that Meghan Markle is divorced did not stand in the way of her marrying Prince Harry. However, it is important to understand that while members of the British royal family have been allowed to marry Catholics since 2015, a Catholic cannot be a monarch.
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The English monarchy was Catholic, then Church of England, then Catholic again, and has been Church of England for 500 years
The religious affiliation of the English monarchy has indeed shifted over the centuries, with the monarchy being Catholic, then converting to the Church of England, reverting to Catholicism, and finally returning to the Church of England, where it has remained for about 500 years.
This evolution reflects the complex religious history of England. Initially, the English monarchy was Catholic, as evidenced by royal weddings taking place in Catholic churches like the marriage of Prince Arthur, the eldest son of King Henry VII, to Princess Catherine at Old St. Paul's in 1501.
However, a significant shift occurred during the reign of King Henry VIII. In 1534, Henry VIII renounced the Catholic Church, leading to his proclamation as the 'supreme head on earth' of the newly established Church of England. This marked the start of the English monarchy's association with the Church of England.
Subsequently, there was a brief period where the monarchy reverted to Catholicism under Queen Mary I. However, this was short-lived as her successor, Queen Elizabeth I, was proclaimed 'Supreme Governor' of the Church of England, firmly re-establishing the monarchy's affiliation with the Anglican faith.
Since then, the English monarchy has remained firmly tied to the Church of England for about 500 years. This is exemplified by the numerous royal weddings that have taken place in Anglican churches, such as the marriages of the Duke of York (later King George VI) in 1923, Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) in 1947, and Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011.
While the monarchy has shown flexibility in allowing members to marry individuals of other faiths, there is still a notable exception for Catholicism. Until 2013, those in the direct line of succession were prohibited from marrying Catholics. Even now, while a monarch can marry a Catholic, they cannot become Catholic themselves, nor can their children be raised Catholic. This restriction highlights the enduring sensitivity around the historical conflict between the English monarchy and the Catholic Church.
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The Act of Settlement of 1701 banned Catholics from succession to the throne
The Act of Settlement of 1701, an act of the Parliament of England, settled the succession to the English and Irish crowns to only Protestants. This act disqualified anyone who became a Roman Catholic or married one from inheriting the throne. This law was passed in the political turmoil that followed the so-called glorious revolution of 1688, during which the last Catholic king, James II, fled the country. The Act aimed to safeguard the Protestant succession and constitutional parliamentary settlement from what was regarded as a foreign despotism. This law had the effect of deposing the remaining descendants of Charles I, except his Protestant granddaughter Anne, as the next Protestant in line to the throne was Sophia of Hanover. Sophia's son succeeded to the throne as King George I, starting the Hanoverian dynasty in Britain.
The Act of Settlement of 1701 has been a source of contention, with several attempts made to abolish this discriminatory law. Critics have pointed out the need to remove the unjustifiable barrier on a Catholic becoming a monarch. In recent years, there have been increasing demands for the law to be abolished, with Britain's Catholic cardinals calling for its abolition. However, attempts at reform or removal have faced challenges due to a lack of parliamentary time, inclination, or urgency. Opponents of abolition argue that changing the law would lead to the unravelling of the whole constitutional settlement, including the established status of the Church of England.
The disqualification arising from marriage to a Roman Catholic was removed by the Succession to the Crown Act 2013. Additionally, in 2019, a change in British law allowed monarchs to marry Catholics. However, the religious upbringing of any heir to the throne in an Anglican environment remains a concern, as the monarch is the supreme governor of the Church of England.
While the Act of Settlement of 1701 banned Catholics from succession to the throne, it is important to note that royal weddings have been held in various churches, including abbeys, cathedrals, and chapels. The choice of venue may depend on factors such as personal preference, historical significance, or family tradition.
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Royals marry at St. Paul's Cathedral, an abbey, or a cathedral
Royal weddings in the UK have taken place in several churches and cathedrals over the years. St. Paul's Cathedral is one of the most well-known venues for royal weddings, with Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer's wedding in 1981 being the most recent one. The cathedral has a rich history and has witnessed two royal weddings, the other being in 1501 when Prince Arthur, the eldest son of King Henry VII, married Princess Catherine.
Westminster Abbey is another popular choice for royal weddings, with a long history dating back to 1100 when Henry I married Princess Matilda of Scotland. In more recent times, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (now The Prince and Princess of Wales) were married at Westminster Abbey in April 2011, following a long line of British royal weddings. The Abbey has hosted 16 royal weddings in total, with the tradition becoming more prevalent in 1919.
Other royal weddings have taken place in various cathedrals across the UK, such as the wedding of Edward III and Philippa of Hainault in 1328, which took place at the Minster. In 1961, the Duke of Kent married Katharine Worsley at the same location, attracting 20,000 spectators who came to witness the "White Rose Wedding". Winchester Cathedral, with its rich history as the ancient royal seat, has hosted two lavish royal weddings: Henry IV and Joan of Navarre in 1403, and Mary Tudor and Philip II of Spain in 1554. Lincoln Cathedral has also been the site of royal weddings, such as the marriage of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, to his long-time lover Katherine Swynford, Duchess of Lancaster, in 1396.
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Royals are expected to be Anglican, but King Charles may be a defender of faiths
The British monarch is the head of the Church of England and is expected to be Anglican. The title "Defender of the Faith" was bestowed upon King Henry VIII by Pope Leo X in the 16th century, recognizing his defense of Catholicism. However, when Henry broke with the Catholic Church, he retained the title, redirecting his defense towards Anglicanism.
Upon the death of Queen Elizabeth II, her son, King Charles III, ascended the throne. Charles has long been an advocate for environmental causes, with a passion that has been described as "eco-spiritual." In his book "Harmony", published in 2010, he called for a "sustainability revolution" to address environmental threats, which he partly attributed to the neglect of spirituality in the modern era.
King Charles has indicated that he may take a more inclusive approach to faith. In 1994, he stated his desire to be a "defender of faith" rather than just "Defender of the Faith," reflecting Britain's religious diversity. While this sparked controversy, he later clarified that he also supports the freedom to worship and the protection of all faiths in the country. This stance was echoed by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who reached out to non-Christian faith groups and emphasized the importance of interfaith harmony.
Zara Mohammed, head of the Muslim Council of Britain, expressed confidence in King Charles, viewing him as an "admirer of Islam and a friend of British Muslims." Charles's appreciation for the diversity of faiths and communities in the UK has been noted, suggesting that he may be a defender of faiths rather than exclusively defending Anglicanism.
While the royal family is expected to be Anglican, there have been changes in recent years regarding royal marriages. Initially, monarchs were prohibited from marrying Catholics, but this restriction has been eased. While a Catholic marrying into the royal family is now permissible, the monarch must still be in communion with the Church of England as its head. This has raised questions about the religious upbringing of heirs, as Catholic canon law requires adherents to ensure their children are baptized and raised in the Catholic faith.
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