It’s official; Prince Harry is marrying African-American actress Meghan Markle, aka Rachel Zane from Suits (she’s retiring from acting ala Princess Grace). She’ll be the first American to marry into the royal family since Wallis Simpson (who ended up taking her husband out of the royal family for all practical purposes). Also she’s divorced which might complicate getting married in the Church of England (it’s been allowable at the priest’s discretion since 2002, but Charles & Camilla still had to go the register office). No such issues with the Church of Scotland though, and it be really clever PR for the monarchy. It make it less awkward to introduce the groom’s father & stepmother too.
It’s going to be interesting seeing the happy couple and their biracial children on the Royal balcony with Charlie, Wills, Kate, Grandpa Phil, and Granny Lizabeth. 
Has a black person ever stood on that balcony in an official capacity?
Diversity is long overdue. IMHO
I hope Harry and Meg have a long and happy marriage. We need a champagne emoticon.
Make room for Meghan guys!!
I doubt that’ll cause problems. My understanding is that it’s routinely allowed in cases where the relationship started after the prior marriage(s) ended. (This was Charles and Camilla’s problem.) It’s not impossible that the Archbishop of Canterbury would refuse to be involved, but it would be easy to find someone willing to perform this marriage, and as it happens the archbishop explicitly congratulated them for “[choosing] to make their vows before God” which I doubt he’d do if he was opposed.
Why do you feel the need to bring race into this happy occasion?
What does that have to do with anything?
Until now I had no idea that her mom was black. You know why I didn’t know? Because it’s fucking irrelevant.
ETA: This was aimed at Acey.
Those two are going to have very cute puppies. Good luck to them.
Because it’s a big step forward for diversity.
It’s similar to when television began including black characters. I remember seeing the secretary on Mannix and shows like Good Times.
It’s wonderful to see the aristocracy embrace change.
It really ought not to be a big deal. But it is one nonetheless.
Aw, c’mon. It’s a salient part of her identity, part of who she is. It’s cool and interesting, as it would be if she were Asian or Indian (from India) or Jewish or a titled white Englishwoman or anything else. She’s a celebrity now, bigger than she ever dreamed and people want to know about her. Not a damn thing wrong with that.
William and Harry have brought happiness and normalcy to the Royal Family, which was plagued with misery for a long time. I wish all of them joy.
Very happy for both of them. Also happy this seems to be meeting without opposition or ill remarks on the British side.
For better or worse, she’s a black woman in America. Now she’s marrying a Prince and heir to the British Empire.
So yeah, big deal, right?
As of today, young black girls in America can honestly dream of growing up to be a British princess. With nothing bad happening, no one saying they can’t because they’re black, no one calling them names.
It’s especially significant when you consider Britain’s role in colonialism. India became independent in 1947. Only a few years before Elizabeth became Queen.
Her approval of this marriage was very important.
Unlike Simpson’s second husband, it is extremely unlikely that Harry will ever be king. That’s gotta make some difference.
Personally, it warms my heart to see a ginger land a beautiful fiancee.
What?
Meghan self-identifies as mixed race*, so probably best to use her preferred term. Hopefully she doesn’t lose herself in her new role. I imagine that despite all the luxury an shit, being constantly in the public glare can get very old very fast.
*I had never heard of her before today, so I read up a little about her. Otherwise, I would have never known what she is.
Most important question for the Royal Wedding. Who gets to ride in the Kids carriage? It was Harry at Williams wedding, Andrew at Charles and Edward at Andrew’s.
She IS Jewish, according to what I’ve read. That, to me, is as surprising as her race and her childhood background as lower middle class.
Where did you learn that she was Jewish? Her wikipedia entry doesn’t mention it.
According to this article:
Meghan Markle ‘Won’t Be Allowed to Be Black Princess’ by Royal Family, Experts Say
some experts on British royalty are suggesting that in order to fit in with the royal family, she will be required to downplay or even stay in the closet about her black or biracial heritage.
An absolute nonsense opinion by an idiot.
Meghan’s background has been researched by genealogists. I saw articles several months ago. I’m not sure how much her family cooperated in the research.