“Let’s not forget that Prince Charles is a divorcee as well. The royals can’t really stand on ceremony any longer, can they?”
I was always astonished that the Church of England had that rule. Let’s not forget that Henry VIII founded the Church of England specifically so that he could divorce Catherine of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn.
All the drama regarding Meghan’s Dad not walking her down the aisle seems way overblown. Now that he is unable to make it to the wedding due to his health the press is frothing at the mouth about who will take his place. Meghan is 36 years old, divorced and not close to her family. Why does anyone have to walk her down the aisle and “give her away?” Such an archaic and patriarchal custom. It seems Meghan has reinvented herself and that reinvention does not include her family on either side. No one mentions that not one member of her Mother’s family is attending either. It’s all about the Markles. Due to Meghan’s age and past marriage this wedding should have been much more low key.
Charles was widowed in the eyes of the church when he remarried. Churches have a way of just ignoring facts they don’t like.
Henry VIII had a way of ‘adjusting’ facts too. An annulment here, a chopped of head there…
Lady Stoya Pepper of Sheridan
Ugh.
“I was always astonished that the Church of England had that rule. Let’s not forget that Henry VIII founded the Church of England specifically so that he could divorce Catherine of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn.”
Yeah, before that you had to have your spouse knocked off when they became tiresome. The Catholic church has allowed annulment, though, and if your pockets were deep, it was easier to obtain.
I wasn’t too interested in what her wedding dress would be but now knowing it is her second time I am more curious what she will wear. Maybe something more sophisticated in a soft color?
You are conflating two different items. The Church of England has allowed remarriage of divorcées/divorcés for years under special circumstances (whatever those happen to be). Retaining one’s title and/or place in line of the throne is determined by the Government, not the Church.
But Camilla was not. Regardless, they were not married in the Church; it was a civil ceremony albeit followed by a blessing in St. George’s Chapel.
Nowadays, one doesn’t need to reserve white dresses for the message one is a virginal bride. I like other colors, but feel relegating her to other colors just because she’s been married before is kinda patronizing. Off white is a possibility- but very popular, regardless.
I read a bit about her activism and her comments on how she and her mother were treated for MM being bi-racial. I’m glad there is no (apparent) palace muss and fuss over her details. It seems she is acepted as what she is, the relationship she and Harry have.
I think this feels important to people who watched Harry as a young boy deal with the grief of his mom’s death. Regardless of what you thought of Diana, it was a tragedy for him. Then he was a fairly wild young man, and it was unclear when (or if) he would mature into a decent adult. To see him this happy, stepping forward in the past couple of years on charitable causes and issues like mental health, and finding someone he clearly loves this much feels really good to a lot of people.
Oh I am sure it will be really something unique befitting her age and second go round. Her age alone puts her in a different category than a twenty something so I always wondered what the dress would be. When I wake up on Saturday I will certainly be interested in what she chose. Guys and royal guys especially have it easy in terms of what to wear.
Actually, there has been a lot of debate whether Harry will wear his military uniform or not.
This seems appropriate. 
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/annals-of-appearances/we-are-all-thomas-markle
I’m making scones tomorrow so I have them at 4 am on Saturday!
“Why does anyone have to walk her down the aisle and “give her away?” Such an archaic and patriarchal custom.”
Well, this is a British royal wedding. “Archaic and patriarchal” is the very definition of British royal customs…
I hope either her mother walks her or she walks herself.
I don’t care who walks her down the aisle, but I do find it a bit sad that Harry & Meghan haven’t managed her family situation in a more proactive way. If I understand correctly, he is just now meeting her mother this week and hasn’t met her father. Maybe that’s the way Meghan preferred, but a little investment of attention from Harry & Meghan might have averted some of this drama.
I wish I had $1 for every comment I have read in the Parent Cafe over the years about problematic in-laws. When we enter into relationships with people, we get their family as part of the bargain, good or bad. Sometimes you need to establish distance from dysfunctional family, but maybe not without having made any sort of effort to get to know them.
D just got married. Mega - lots a - late night TV movie level -drama. Neither of groom’s parents attended.
Four reprints of the seating cards.
A restraining order…
Feeling rather royal…
In the Crown miniseries there is a lot of information on why Queen Elizabeth could not approve her sister’s marriage to a divorcee. The Queen is the official head of the Church of England. Royals in line for the throne under a certain age cannot marry without the Queen’s official approval (note the official approval paper for Harry). Since her sister Margaret was under the age, and wanted to marry a divorced man, and the Prime Minister and govt disapproved, Elizabeth asked her to wait several years.
When Margaret wanted to marry after the year separation, her sister, head of the church, informed her she would have to relinquish her place in line for the throne. I believe she was 3rd or 4th in line at that point. Margaret chose to stay a royal.
Harry has met Meghan’s mother several times, even in public at the Toronto Invictus Games. Reports say he called her Mother prior to asking Meghan to marry him. Father has been out of the picture for a long time.
Sorry, @dietz199 for your D & SIL. Wishing them a calm & happy future. Your wedding situation sounds way worse than Harry & Meghan’s family drama.
Thanks for the update on Harry meeting Meghan’s mom, @coralbrook. I have clearly consumed some “fake news” on that tidbit. I’m glad to be set straight:)