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British RoyalsThe Sussexes

Buckingham Palace shares an image of the Instrument of Consent for Harry & Meghan’s marriage

Buckingham Palace has shared a series of images showing the Instrument of Consent, which is the hand-written document which records the consent of Her Majesty The Queen to the marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

The photographs were taken in the 18th Century Room at Buckingham Palace.

PA

The Instrument of Consent is drafted by the Crown Office and is hand-written and illuminated on vellum by one of a panel of scrivener artists retained by the Crown Office.

The design to the left of the text of the Instrument of Consent incorporates a red dragon, which is the heraldic symbol of Wales and floral emblems of the United Kingdom – the rose, thistle and shamrock. It also features Prince Harry’s Label and three tiny red escallops from the Spencer family Arms.

PA

To the right of the text is a design that also includes a rose, as this is also the national flower of the United States. On either side of the rose are two golden poppies – which is the state flower of California, where Meghan Markle was born. Between the flowers is the Welsh leek, together with Prince Harry’s Label.

Beneath that are olive branches, which were adopted from the Great Seal of the United States. Underneath the main designs is the coronet for Prince Harry and on the lower right side is the Commonwealth symbol.

PA

The Instrument of Consent is sealed with the Great Seal of the Realm, which is attached by woven cords sealed within the Great Seal. Her Majesty The Queen’s signature can be seen at the top right. The document will be presented to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after the wedding.

PA

The Instrument of Consent reads: “NOW KNOW YE that We have consented and do by these Presents signify Our Consent to the contracting of Matrimony between Our Most Dearly Beloved Grandson Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales, K.C.V.O., and Rachel Meghan Markle.”

PA

Her Majesty The Queen formally gave her consent to the marriage by making her declaration at the meeting of the Privy Council on 14 March 2018 in accordance with the 2013 Succession to the Crown Act.