What Will Meghan Markle's Title Be When She Marries Prince Harry?
File under: very important questions.
Meghan Markle is living the rom-com dream and dating a royal. The Suits star and Prince Harry are officially engaged after dating for over a year! (Do yourself a favor and check out her gorgeous ring immediately.) Which begs the question: what will Meghan Markle's official title be when she and Prince Harry tie the knot next spring? Here's what we know.
Well, yes, obviously. In 2017, this might seem like a ridiculous question—but Harry's royal status complicates things for two reasons: Markle is divorced and Catholic (according to People, she attended the private Immaculate Heart Convent school in L.A.).
Markle divorced producer Trevor Engelson in 2013, but this isn't a huge obstacle because there's already precedent for royals marrying divorcées. (Prince Charles and his wife Camilla Parker Bowles were both divorced before their marriage in 2005.)
Meanwhile, the concern about Markle's faith stems from an archaic rule set forth in George III's Royal Marriages Act of 1772, which prohibited senior members of the royal family from marrying Catholics. In 2015, new rules went into effect under the Succession to the Crown Act which allows members of the royal family to marry Catholics. Phew.
The Queen will absolutely have a say in the matter.
Even though the supposed obstacles to Markle and Harry's potential marriage are easily navigated from a legal standpoint, Queen Elizabeth will still have to sign off on the union or Harry could lose his place in the line of succession.
2015's Succession to the Crown Act placed limits on an old rule from the Royal Marriages Act of 1772, which gave the monarch the right to approve marriages of all distant royal relations. Under the new rules, only the first six in line for the throne require the monarch's consent to marry—Prince Harry is currently fifth in line, meaning he would need his grandmother's permission to marry Markle.
So, what will Markle's title be?
According to Royal Central, in the United Kingdom wives automatically take their husband's title, meaning Markle will be HRH Princess Henry of Wales (admittedly a little weird). However, she will not be Princess Meghan, since "princess" is a title that you have to be born into under the British monarchy (which is why Kate Middleton is Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge—not Princess Kate).
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Royal Historian Marlene Koenig explains that like William, Harry will likely be made a Duke—therefore his wife will be a Duchess.
"Most likely, he will be created a Duke. Sussex is available so [Markle] would be HRH the Duchess of Sussex. Her rank would be a princess by marriage of the United Kingdom, Great Britain, and Northern Ireland," Koenig said.
Welp, that settles that! Mark your calendar for spring 2018 and get ready for another royal wedding 😘.
Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with over 10 years of professional experience covering entertainment of all genres, from new movie and TV releases to nostalgia, and celebrity news. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
-
Taylor Swift Sweetly Dishes on Travis Kelce With a Young Swiftie at Children's Hospital
"I like Travis now," the fan shared.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
I Found the Most Luxe Beauty Stocking Stuffers Your Friends Actually Want
Beauty editor-tested and approved.
By Ariel Baker Published
-
32 Great TV Shows That Capture What We Love About Our Closest Friendships
Watch these with your bestie (or when you miss them).
By Katherine J. Igoe Published
-
Meghan Markle Masters Baby Shower Dressing in the Perfect Pink Posse Dress
Spring party inspo, delivered.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Every Time the Royal Family Broke Protocol in 2024, From Minor Rule Changes to Huge Mistakes
Meet the usual suspects: King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Kate Middleton.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Queen Camilla's Son Reveals He "Learned a Long Time Ago" to Stay Out of Prince William and Prince Harry's "World"
Tom Parker Bowles said "it was appalling what they went through."
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince William Is Allegedly Still "Very, Very Angry" About Royal Rift, But Kate Middleton Is Pushing For "Reconciliation"
"Never give up hope, there's always a chance."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince Harry's "Despair" at Online Trolls "Trying to Make Trouble" For His Family Is Understandable, Says Royal Expert
"He says he is happy. I believe him."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Meghan Markle Reveals Impressive Hidden Skill in New Netflix Documentary With Prince Harry
What can't she do?
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Princess Eugenie Could Spend Christmas With Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in California
"She has also been invited to Sandringham."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Meghan Markle's Fresh Manicure Says White Nails Aren't Just a Summer Trend
White nails—they're not just a summer manicure trend anymore.
By Hanna Lustig Published