Queen Elizabeth gives handwritten consent to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's marriage
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will be given the official seal of approval from Queen Elizabeth for the Royal Wedding which will take place on May 19.
The Buckingham Palace shared an image of the Consent which was a handwritten document which details the Queen's approval of her grandson's marriage to Meghan. The document will be presented to the newlyweds post the wedding. "NOW KNOW YE that We have consented and do by these Presents signify Our Consent to the contracting of Matrimony between Our Most Dearly Beloved Grandson Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales, K.C.V.O., and Rachel Meghan Markle."
The document, which will be presented to the couple after the wedding, is flanked with artwork representing the bride and groom.
Under British law, the first six people in the line of succession to the throne must obtain the queen's permission to wed. Harry was fifth in line when he and Markle got engaged. He was bumped to sixth with the birth of his Prince Louis, the son of Prince William and Kate Middleton, last month.
According to the Palace, "The Instrument of Consent is drafted by the Crown Office and is, in the case of Prince Harry's marriage, handwritten and illuminated on vellum by one of a panel of scrivener artists retained by the Crown Office. Vellum is used only for important State documents."
"The design to the left of the text incorporates a red dragon, the heraldic symbol of Wales, together with the UK's floral emblems – the rose, thistle, and shamrock. It also features Prince Harry’s Label, including three tiny red escallops from the Spencer family Arms."
The statement says, adding that the "design to the right of the text also includes the rose, as this is also the national flower of the United States. To either side of the rose are two golden poppies – this being the state flower of California, where Ms Markle was born. Between the flowers is the Welsh leek, together with Prince Harry’s Label. Beneath the Label are olive branches, adopted from the Great Seal of the United States."
The statement also features the coronet for Prince Harry and the Commonwealth symbol. It is sealed with the Great Seal of the Realm, which is attached to the foot of the document by woven cords sealed within the Great Seal itself.
The Queen's signature "Elizabeth R" can be seen right on top of the document.