Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding invitations subtly acknowledge her divorce
Meghan Markle was previously married to film producer Trevor Engelson
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The Royal Wedding invitations sent out ahead of the upcoming union of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry subtly acknowledge Markle as a divorcee.
On the white gilded invitations printed by Barnard & Westwood, which feature American ink on English card, a certain wording when referring to Markle has caught the eye - as it references the fact that Meghan was previously married.
Rather than refer to Markle as “Miss” Meghan Markle on the invitations, it instead reads: “His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales KG KT requests the pleasure of the company of (name) at the marriage of His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales with Ms Meghan Markle at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on Saturday 19th May 2018 at 12 noon followed by a reception at Windsor Castle.”
The subtle variation is in contrast to the Duchess of Cambridge’s 2011 wedding invites, where she was referred to as Miss Catherine Middleton.
The use of “Ms” is a first for the royal family, but according to etiquette, it is the proper way to refer to a divorcee.
Regarding the title, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told The Independent: “The wording referring to Meghan on the wedding invitations is a first but this is a unique wedding. Ms is the correct way to refer to a divorced woman before either her birth name or married name.”
However, the title may also be a sign the royal family is accepting of the fact Markle is a modern woman and a divorcee.
Mr Fitzwilliams said: “It is also appropriate as Meghan is a feminist. The use of Ms is a contemporary way of avoiding using Mrs or Miss and I think it certain that this is also something Meghan would have approved of.”
“This is another sign of the royal family moving with the times,” Mr Fitzwilliams told us.
Markle was previously married to film producer Trevor Engelson, whom she married in 2011 after seven years of dating.
The couple later divorced in 2013, citing irreconcilable differences.
The wedding between Ms Markle and Prince Harry will take place on May 19 2018 at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, followed by a carriage procession around the Berkshire town.
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