How the Church of England Has "Dealt With" Meghan Markle's Divorce

Photo credit: Getty
Photo credit: Getty

From Town & Country

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are hardly planning an average wedding, but one aspect of their engagement has proven to be fairly ordinary: how the Church of England is dealing with the bride-to-be's previous marriage.

When asked whether Markle's first marriage to Trevor Engelson was an issue, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who will officiate the vows at the upcoming royal wedding, replied, "It's not a problem." (Markle and Engelson divorced in 2013, citing "irreconcilable differences.")

"We went through that as anyone would who will officiate at a wedding where someone has been separated and a partner is still living," Welby continued, per Sky News.

According to the Church of England's website, "In certain circumstances the Church of England accepts that a divorced person may marry again in church and this has been the case since 2002."

 

The process requires filling out a form and giving it to your priest along with proof that the divorce is "absolute." The website also indicates that "it is likely" the priest may ask for multiple interviews before agreeing to marry you.

Clearly, Markle and Prince Harry have their paperwork in order as Welby has said he is "looking forward" to their nuptials.

"The wedding is going to be wonderful," he said.

 

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