Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle have been dating since the summer. They have been spending a lot of time together. In fact, the "Suits" actress has been staying at Kensington Palace since the beginning of the year. They seem to be very much in love. However, there is one major thing that might stand in their way if they decide they want to get married.
Royal Marriages Act
Prince Harry cannot marry Markle or anyone else without Queen Elizabeth's permission. Usually in the United States, it is a custom that the bride's father gives permission for his daughter to marry.
However, in this case it's the groom's grandmother who must give her approval. That's because she is the Queen of England, and there is a United Kingdom's Royal Marriages Act of 1772 that must be enforced.
The law was passed by King George III after he disapproved of his brothers' marriages. Queen Elizabeth has never denied a marriage request of family members. She has not met Meghan yet, but she has heard about her. Kate Middleton had dated Prince William four years before she was introduced to Queen Elizabeth.
Rumors are out that the 32-year-old royal intends to marry the 35-year-old biracial actress. They can marry only if Queen Elizabeth puts her stamp of approval on the nuptials. It is not just Prince Harry, but the Queen has the power to veto the marriage of any royal family member.
It applies especially to the first six in line to the throne. Prince Harry is fifth in line following Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
Pre-nuptial agreement
It might be a rumor, but it has been reported that the couple has discussed marriage and have drafted a pre-nup. Meghan is worth $7 million, and Prince Harry is worth $52 million.
He was left $19 million after his mother, Princess Diana, was killed in a car crash in Paris in 1997. In 2002, he received an undisclosed amount of money when his great-grandmother, the Queen Mother, died in 2002.
When Prince William married Kate Middleton in 2011, he reportedly refused to sign a pre-nup. Prince Charles and Camilla do not have a pre-nuptial agreement. It wasn't Prince Harry but Meghan who suggested they sign a pre-nup.
