Many Texas residents have an affinity for all things related to the British royal family. Their interest is likely focused on the marriage between Prince Harry and the American actress Meghan Markle. The union is noteworthy not only because royal weddings are relatively rare but also due to the fact that Markle has been through a previous divorce. Not so long ago, she would never have been considered an appropriate partner to someone in line for the throne.
Remarriage after divorce is not something the British monarchy traditionally supports. After King Henry VIII abused his power to facilitate a string of wives, later monarchs have taken a very strict approach to the topic of remarriage after a divorce. While divorce itself has long been accepted, tying the knot a second time has not.
That position has shifted in recent decades. Many recall the 1996 divorce between Prince Charles and Diana and the subsequent remarriage between Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles. The Church of England has allowed divorced persons to remarry since 2002, but only under certain circumstances. According to authorities, Harry and Meghan have completed the steps required to move forward with marriage.
That paved the way for Prince Harry to marry Meghan Markle, an event expected to receive widespread media attention around the world. Their union may go a long way toward normalizing love and marriage after a divorce, which is still not allowed in some areas of the world. For those in Texas who view the event, understanding the history of British views on divorce helps underscore how remarkable this union truly is.
Source: history.com, “Why the Royal Family Used to Forbid Marriage After Divorce“, Erin Blakemore, May 3, 2018
