Why the Queen might not attend Harry’s wedding

Most of us wait in anticipation for the day we get to see our beloved grandchildren say their vows and begin married life with their true love, but that’s one luxury the Queen may have to forgo.

Prince Harry has been dating American actress Meghan Markle for about a year now and the couple made their bond ‘royally official’ last month when Markle attended a polo match with the prince and accompanied him to Pippa Middleton’s wedding reception.

While there is plenty of media speculation about when Harry will get down on one knee, it’s what happens before and after that that is most interesting.

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According to British law, Harry must ask the Queen’s permission before proposing to his future wife.

The monarch has the power to veto the marriage of a member of their family, as happened with the Queen’s sister Princess Margaret and her former love Peter Townsend.

While the rules have relaxed since the 1950s, the Queen must still give her nod of approval before Harry makes a move.

If Harry and Markle do decide to wed, the Queen may not be allowed to attend their wedding though because of the restrictions placed on her as head of the Church of England.

As the technical leader of the Church, the Queen cannot endorse a marriage to a divorcee.

Markle was previously married for two years, but divorced in 2013.

Under Church rules, Harry’s grandmother would have to skip the ceremony and only attend the wedding reception.

Of course it wouldn’t be the first time the Queen has had to miss out.

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She skipped the ceremony for Prince Charles’ wedding to Camilla, who was a divorced woman, and gave them her best wishes at the reception instead.

Do you think it’s sad the Queen might have to miss Harry’s future wedding? Will you be happy to Harry settle down with the woman of his choice one day?