The announcement that Prince Harry has picked Meghan Markle for his wife was met with mixed responses, mainly from the high-ranking side of the British community.
While Miss Markle may possess many qualities that make her a seemingly ideal fiancée and a great complement to the royal family, some aspects of her past have also raised some eyebrows.
Markle’s divorce has been thrown around particularly often as an argument against her marrying the prince, and many were worried that the implications for the family and the Church of England, would be dire. However, that does not seem to be the case, at least as far as church officials are concerned.
The Archbishop of Canterbury himself, Justin Welby, made a public statement expressing his complete acceptance of the fact that Prince Harry is about to marry someone who had gone through a divorce.
Welby said, “I wish them many years of love, happiness, and fulfillment and ask that God blesses them throughout their married life together.”
The archbishop went on to add: “I am so happy that Prince Harry and Ms. Markle have chosen to make their vows before God.”
And while many were focused on the direct implication of that statement — the lack of potential conflicts as the wedding draws closer — there is also a positive undertone to it. More specifically, it shows that the Church is moving away from its roots and is open to change in its traditions.
Whether or not the marriage will work out is, of course, impossible to tell, but the Suit actress does make a solid impression with her experience and credentials, including her contributions to the fight for women’s rights.
And in the end, the fact that the American activist divorced her former husband, Trevor Engelson, can actually be seen as a positive factor, as it could indicate that she has a much better understanding of what she wants from a long-term relationship now.