Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their engagement last November, but, because Harry is a royal, simply wanting to get married was not enough—the couple also needed the official approval of Queen Elizabeth II before they could tie the knot.
Now, less than a week before their wedding, the finally have all the royal paperwork in place. This weekend, Buckingham Palace shared an image of the Instrument of Consent, the hand-written document which records The Queen's official approval of the marriage.
The Instrument of Consent is drafted by the Crown Office. It's hand-written by an artist who is on retainer with the Crown Office (they actually have a panel of them to choose from).
What is the Instrument of Consent?
The Instrument of Consent is the official, physical document that grants permission for royals to get married. Prince William and Kate Middleton needed on before their wedding in 2011, too.
Why does the Instrument of Consent matter?
The royal family has a lot of traditions, but this one is actually the law. According to the Royal Marriages Act 1772, the Queen must sign this official notice to recognize the marriage of any descendants of George II. The Royal Marriages Act was overturned by the Succession to the Crown Act 2013, but even under the new law, the first six people in line for the throne need the monarch's consent to marry (Harry is currently sixth in line, just making the cut).
Is the Instrument of Consent always the same?
No. They're customized for the couple. Harry and Meghan's, for example, includes a red dragon, which is the heraldic symbol of Wales, as well as the UK's floral emblems–the rose, thistle, and shamrock—and Prince Harry's Label. It also features a rose (the official flower of the United States) and four golden poppies, the state flower of California, where Meghan was born.
-
Blake Lively Pays Tribute to Her Own Met Gala LookThe first Monday in May came early this year.
-
Hailey Bieber Dives Into a Rare-for-Her Color TrendThe Rhode founder ditched her trusty neutrals while accepting a major award.
-
Why Would I Splurge on Beauty Products When These Under-$50 Sephora Finds Exist?How an editor really shops.
-
Staff Had "Never Seen Queen Elizabeth as Angry" as When Royal Visitor "From Hell" Brought a Dangerous Surprise GuestThe unwanted visitor caused an international incident.
-
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Make Poignant NYC Appearance to Highlight "Heartbreak" No Parent Should FaceThe Duke and Duchess of Sussex unveiled a powerful memorial to children lost too soon.
-
Prince Harry Gave Nephew Prince Louis an Extremely Rare Five-Figure Gift for His ChristeningUncle Harry for the gifting win.
-
Meghan Markle Means Business in a $5,000 Ralph Lauren Linen Suit and Princess Diana's Tennis BraceletThe Duchess of Sussex delivered spring workwear inspo at the 'TIME'100 Summit.
-
Queen Elizabeth Gave the Perfect Response When Pope Francis Presented Her With Priceless Gifts for Prince GeorgeThe late pope spared no expense when it came to treating the infant prince in 2014.
-
Queen Elizabeth's Two-Ingredient Lunch Supposedly Helped Her Stay Healthy and Look YoungerThe late monarch was "not a foodie," but kept her meals simple and fresh.
-
Meghan Markle's Boxed Hair Dye Disaster During the Pandemic Left Her Looking "Elvira-Esque""I thought, ‘I'm gonna look just like she does on the box.'"
-
Meghan Markle's White Easter Shirt Dress Is the Ultimate Spring StapleThe Duchess of Sussex wore a breezy button-down style to celebrate the holiday.
