Engagement of Prince Harry of Wales and Meghan Markle: November 27, 2017

[US Royal Watcher]

I am very happy for the couple. Meghan is certainly a lovely woman and Harry seems happy.

I love the ring, although I think platinum looks better with diamonds. I tend to think Harry agrees because it struck me as defensive when he made a point of saying that yellow gold was her favorite. I love that Meghan's ring was designed for her but is especially intimate because it is also linked to Harry's mother. I don't want to offend anyone but I like Meghan's ring better than Katherine's. I suspect that Katherine wouldn't have picked that ring out herself, but she treasures it knowing that it means so much to William.

I also enjoyed the part of the interview when Harry inserted that people "think" that they know him. It was a great moment.

[mgrant]

Originally Posted by Pranter

If nothing else Harry will want Meghan to have her day...he's busting at the seams about marrying her. He wants to show her off.

I don't expect this to be a small wedding (relatively speaking) like Pippa and Zara had.


LaRae

Great! I will be sitting here waiting for the day! I am so excited!!! I love royal weddings!

[TRCRoyal]

Was Meghan married civilly only before? Because I'm wondering if they can have a normal church wedding!

[Pranter]

Yeah we need to savor this one....there won't be another BRF Wedding like this until George or Charlotte (or baby Cambridge) marry.


LaRae

Originally Posted by TheRoyalCouturier

Was Meghan married civilly only before? Because I'm wondering if they can have a normal church wedding!

She was married on a beach. I don't know if it was recognized by her husband (Jewish) faith or not. I'm not sure that she practices any faith at all...she may be very private about it.

The CoE has already stated she is free to marry in their Church. The comments today from the Archbishop of Canterbury indicate the same.



LaRae

[mgrant]

Originally Posted by US Royal Watcher

I am very happy for the couple. Meghan is certainly a lovely woman and Harry seems happy.

I love the ring, although I think platinum looks better with diamonds. I tend to think Harry agrees because it struck me as defensive when he made a point of saying that yellow gold was her favorite. I love that Meghan's ring was designed for her but is especially intimate because it is also linked to Harry's mother. I don't want to offend anyone but I like Meghan's ring better than Katherine's. I suspect that Katherine wouldn't have picked that ring out herself, but she treasures it knowing that it means so much to William.

I also enjoyed the part of the interview when Harry inserted that people "think" that they know him. It was a great moment.

I'm with you on the platinum with the diamonds. I'm not a lover of gold jewelry but the ring is very pretty and it means a lot to have the diamonds that belonged to his mom. A lot of love and thought went into that ring and Meghan knows it. She's one very lucky woman.

[Somebody]

Originally Posted by mgrant

Yeah, I had forgotten about Letizia. Thanks. I saw something else in Huffington Post that says the suspected female friend who matched Harry with Meghan was Michele Obama.

I am pretty sure that is more wishful thinking than anything else. Michelle Obama wasn't in London at the beginning of July while Meghan did visit London (and Spain) with two friends

[jacqui24]

Originally Posted by TheRoyalCouturier

Was Meghan married civilly only before? Because I'm wondering if they can have a normal church wedding!

They will have a church wedding. The archbishop’s statement made it obvious, and aides have confirmed to reporters it will be a church wedding. The CoE has allowed divorcees to marry in church since 2002, although they leave it to the local church. The Archbishop of Canterbury will be marrying them, and from my understanding he usual draw the line at if either party contributed to the failure of the previous marriage and if the children of the previous marriage have been provided for.

[Lady Nimue]

A very, very, very good interview. Love has made the man! I am impressed. I do think this marriage will stay the course (contrary to my previous concerns). I can see it. They have done their homework and I trust Meghan's judgement.

I am very happy for them both. They are going to be a seriously fun couple to watch.

NOTE: Did anyone else notice that there was a considerable edit that took place in the midst of the corgi conversation? No one has mentioned it but it was there. Has me so curious.

Also, I loved the little peeks we were given into the socializing of the RF behind the scenes: several teas and 'gatherings' at Charles' place, dinners at Will and Kate's, etc.

Originally Posted by Dman

Originally Posted by Abbigail

I watched the interview live (will have to watch again later ) and the thing that really stood out to me is how these two seem to possess all the necessary qualities for a lasting relationship. They really presented themselves as such a mature, fun-loving, warm and considerate couple. And really, I had no doubt that this would be the case. They both just have these great, outgoing personalities. It's quite easy to see why they are so drawn to each other and why Harry was smitten from the start.Love how he basically admitted that he was punching above his weight and had to immediately up his game. Great self awareness there Harry!

Agree 100% with your summation, Abbigail. And love the bolded comment! Yes, wasn't that adorable? He really has lucked out with her. I am very glad for his sake that she has fallen in love, too.

BTW there has not been much comment about it here (but there have been one or two comments), regarding the handholding and tactile elements: this is the cultural divide, with a born and bred Southern Californian. Meghan is exactly the kind of woman Harry would flourish with given how tactile his mother was. In some ways, Meghan may be like 'coming home' for Harry. Serendipity.

I also agree with this who have suggested Meghan will be at Sandringham for Christmas. Meghan is from out of the country, unlike Kate. I am certain (though it is a speculation on my part) that there will be every attempt made to make sure Meghan (and her family members) are participating in any way that is comfortable for all. Just a hunch.

Originally Posted by Empress Merel

Meghan and Harry geeking out over the husband title was really cute. My sour soul actually smiled.

A moment of real insight into their intimate dynamic.

[O-H Anglophile]

Originally Posted by TheRoyalCouturier

Was Meghan married civilly only before? Because I'm wondering if they can have a normal church wedding!

The Anglican Church has allowed divorced persons to marry in the church since 2002. Civil or church wedding previously, doesn't matter.

[jacqui24]

Originally Posted by Somebody

I am pretty sure that is more wishful thinking than anything else. Michelle Obama wasn't in London at the beginning of July while Meghan did visit London (and Spain) with two friends

I don’t they know Michelle and Meghan know each other. But it didn’t seem like that mutual friend was actually in London at that time. It sounded like they were put in touch with someone they both know and they just had drinks together. Although my suspicion is that it wasn’t Misha Nonoo either. She’d been too obvious for Meghan to purprosefully avoid letting the public know to protect her privacy. Although, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was Sophie Trudeau depending on how the Trudeaus get on with Harry on a personal friendship level.

[Cocoasneeze]

I think it's been established, that they can and will have a church wedding.

So much wrong info has her corrected. Meghan's religion has been speculated, that has been cleared up. She's got to know W&K, who have been extremely supportive. She's met the Queen, Harry's family from both sides, one of her dogs is in the UK.

Daily Fail REALLY had no info about anything, and as an avid hater of that publication, it warms my heart.

[Somebody]

Originally Posted by TheRoyalCouturier

Was Meghan married civilly only before? Because I'm wondering if they can have a normal church wedding!

Yes, they can as has been discussed several times. To the Anglican church it is completely irrelevant whether her first marriage was only civil or also religious; in either case: she was married and is now divorced.

However, the Church of England nowadays does marry divorced people unless the local vicar decides differently. As the Archbishop of Canterbury already declared his delight that Harry and Meghan 'have chosen to make their vows before God' (which is consistent with the same message that there wouldn't be any issue for the two of them to get married in the church as has been communicated several times) it is clear that their are not only no objection from the church but also that Harry and Meghan wish to be married in the church.

[mgrant]

Originally Posted by Pranter

Yeah we need to savor this one....there won't be another BRF Wedding like this until George or Charlotte (or baby Cambridge) marry.


LaRae

Indeed. That will be way in future with flying cars and living on Mars.
The other royal houses will have royal weddings but nobody does royal weddings like the British and those I really enjoy.

[texankitcat]

Originally Posted by Ish

There are many reasons why Meghan may chose to give up her American citizenship. One big one is that it will help create goodwill with the British people. In doing so she will be saying “yes I’m an American by birth, but I am embracing the UK as my new home.” Which would be a big deal, given as she is going to be representing the Royal Family for the rest of her life (or at least that is her intention).

The other big one is that giving up her US citizenship will make sense financially; she’s going to be obligated to pay US taxes if she remains a US citizen, and while she isn’t going to be a person on a salary like most of us, she’s very likely not going to want to pay US taxes while living and working in the UK, and there is a horrible optics thing to consider - seriously, if she keeps her US citizenship and pays US taxes how long do you think it’s going to take the UK public to start complaining about how their tax payer dollars are being spent towards Meghan’s
US taxes? Doesn’t matter if it’s not true, it’s a horrible optics.

There’s also the fact that if she retains her US citizenship, her children are automatically US citizens. Again, not great optics for the UK public.

Meghan has shown herself to be a smart woman who has a decent understanding of what she’s getting into. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if she chose to give up her citizenship, if only because it will make life a bit easier for her and be optically better to the UK public. Remember, it’s not her job to keep Americans happy, it’s now her job to keep Brits happy.

Why would anyone think that Meghan would have a choice of being able to keep her US citizenship when she is marrying into the Royal family? How would that be possible?

[Somebody]

Originally Posted by jacqui24

I don’t they know Michelle and Meghan know each other. But it didn’t seem like that mutual friend was actually in London at that time. It sounded like they were put in touch with someone they both know and they just had drinks together. Although my suspicion is that it wasn’t Misha Nonoo either. She’d been too obvious for Meghan to purprosefully avoid letting the public know to protect her privacy. Although, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was Sophie Trudeau depending on how the Trudeaus get on with Harry on a personal friendship level.

Unless they ever let it slip, we won't know for sure. That was probably the whole idea behind not sharing that bit of information. And it is indeed possible that the matchmaker was not in London with them at that time (but Michelle Obama seems too far-fetched). As Meghan said not to read the media about their relationship, it might be that she is not as aware that we would be able to decipher whom they might be talking about. As it was a mutual friend, I doubt that Sophie fits that category for Harry - they should have known each other well enough for both of them to accept that invitation.

Originally Posted by mgrant

Indeed. That will be way in future with flying cars and living on Mars.
The other royal houses will have royal weddings but nobody does royal weddings like the British and those I really enjoy.

Have you ever watched the Swedish royal weddings? There is way more for us royal watcher's to enjoy (especially when Victoria and Daniel got married) than the British ones that are limited to the service, a carriage ride and a balcony scene (if at the Abbey). After that it is all off-limits (which I fully understand but that's why the Victoria & Daniel trumps it for me).

[US Royal Watcher]

Originally Posted by Lady Nimue

NOTE: Did anyone else notice that there was a considerable edit that took place in the midst of the corgi conversation? No one has mentioned it but it was there. Has me so curious.

Also, I loved the little peeks we were given into the socializing of the RF behind the scenes: several teas and 'gatherings' at Charles' place, dinners at Will and Kate's, etc.

I noticed a break, but I thought that may have been the streaming. We'll probably find out if there was an issue, unlike Harry and Meghan's close friends, someone with the production will probably blab.

I am not surprised that William and Catherine have befriended Meghan. The brothers are obviously close and it is great that they get along. It's also very nice that Harry is still close to his mother's family and friends and I hope they play a part in the wedding.

One thing that did surprise me is that even though I know Charles is busy, Harry said that Meghan had only met him a "handful" of times. But it is a safe bet that they were at Highgrove when they took long walks together.

[O-H Anglophile]

I can see how Harry and Meghan would be more concerned about protecting the privacy of someone like Michelle Obama or Sophie Trudeau though than someone who was a "celebrity" This is intriguing.

[HRHHermione]

My guess about Christmas is that Meghan and Harry will stay with William and Kate at Amner Hall- that would probably be the most comfortable place for Megan to stay since she already knows them well and then she can join at whatever she and Harry want her to join/the Queen approves of and relax otherwise.

[Somebody]

Originally Posted by US Royal Watcher

One thing that did surprise me is that even though I know Charles is busy, Harry said that Meghan had only met him a "handful" of times. But it is a safe bet that they were at Highgrove when they took long walks together.

So far, Harry has not met her father at all... So, a handful of times is actually a lot better - although Charles is of course not only her future father-in-law but also her future boss.

[LadyGlendower]

Originally Posted by mgrant

Indeed. That will be way in future with flying cars and living on Mars.
The other royal houses will have royal weddings but nobody does royal weddings like the British and those I really enjoy.

Edward and Sophie need to start looking for a prospect for Lady Louise, STAT!

She most likely be the only drought-buster following the York princesses. Well...that's three minor weddings over the next 10-15 years and William/Kate/Harry/Meghan will be attending ALL of them. The glass is half full, my friends.