This is why Prince Harry needs The Queen’s permission to get married

No pressure, Meghan!

Prince Harry confirmed his relationship to Meghan Markle in November last year, releasing a statement from Kensington Palace, referring to her as ‘his girlfriend’ and asking for privacy.

Since then the couple has passed some pretty considerable relationship milestones, both reportedly meeting the ‘in-laws’. Meghan also met Prince William, Kate Middleton and Princess Charlotte during a trip to England, while it emerged that Harry had already met Meghan’s family in America, before their relationship even went public.

Meghan is yet to have an introduction with the Queen, however, and that could be quite an important one if she’s in it for the long haul.

It might seem antiquated but if Prince Harry did decide to propose to Meghan Markle (and the whole world is hoping that he will), he must, according to English law, ask the permission of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.

The Royal Marriages Act dates back to 1772, passed by King George III after he supposedly disapproved of his brothers’ marriages. The law states that the reigning monarch must grant permission to their direct descendents before they cant get married, and if the sovereign chooses to say no, the marriage in question will not go ahead.

The Queen has to sign a notice of approval, granting her formal consent to the marriage, and confirming her trust in their choice of spouse.

Although the act has changed over time, now only limited to the first six in line to the throne, Prince Harry (fifth in line) is still one of the people that it applies to, and must wait for his grandmother’s permission if the situation arises.

The Queen has never formally denied a marriage request though so we doubt they’re worried, but Meghan might still have to wait a while for an introduction with the sovereign, with Kate Middleton only being introduced after four years of dating Prince William.

Still, we've got our fingers crossed.