Eyes have been on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for almost a year. The 32-year-old prince and the 35-year-old actress have gotten very close, and there is much speculation that they will become engaged very soon. Over the year, steps have been put in place so that when Prince Harry pops the question, it will be done according to royal protocol.
Queen's permission
It has been reported that Queen Elizabeth has already approved of the relationship and has given her grandson permission to marry Meghan.
Not getting the approval from his grandmother would have been a stumbling block for the couple because Meghan is divorced. In 2005, Queen Elizabeth gave Prince Charles permission to marry Camilla Parker Bowles even though she had been divorced.
The ceremony
As Meghan is divorced, there has been some question as to whether or not Harry would be allowed to marry her in Westminster Abbey. It was recently confirmed that a divorced person can get married in the Church of England. This was not the case when Prince Charles married Camilla. They married in a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall, and Queen Elizabeth did not attend the ceremony.
The reception
Prince Harry and Meghan have plenty of choices when it comes to a place for their Wedding reception. They could choose a castle or a palace to entertain their guests after the wedding ceremony. It could very well be at Buckingham Palace or at any one of the other venues.
Even though Prince Harry is different from his brother Prince William, some of the same things could take place with his wedding and reception. Prince William's wedding was seen by billions of people around the world, and Prince Harry's wedding could be just as big and still be different.
Differences
People have already tried to compare William and Kate to Harry and Meghan even though their relationships have been quite different.
Prince William dated Kate Middleton on and off for ten years before they got engaged and married. That is not likely to be as long for Prince Harry and Meghan. Their engagement is expected to happen very soon after they have been dating for almost one year.
They have spent a lot of time with each other in spite of the distance. They have managed to be together for holidays, vacations, and other special occasions. They have attended two weddings together, and perhaps the next one will be their own.
Prince Harry doesn't seem to mind that Meghan is three years older than he is and that Meghan is bi-racial with a white father and a black mother. They seem to be very much in love and that's all that matters.