Can Meghan Markle, Prince Harry Tie The Knot After ‘Suits’ Actress’ Divorce?

Prince Harry and “Suits” star Meghan Markle are rumored to already be engaged even though the two have not yet made an announcement.

A source close to the couple recently told Us Weekly that the two are just holding off the news about their engagement. “I think it’s already happened, but they’re holding the news back until she has finished on ‘Suits.’ I’ve never seen them happier. It’s amazing,” the source said.

But some fans of the actress are curious on whether or not it’s possible for an American commoner to actually be married to a British royal. As of late, there are no rules preventing this type of union. However, there is something from Markle’s past that could require her wedding to go through a rigorous process.

Markle was previously married to film producer Trevor Engelson, and they filed for divorce in August 2013. There is also no rule about a divorcee marrying a royal, but there has been an instance where this type of marriage was denied.

Queen Elizabeth’s sister, Princess Margaret, decided to end her relationship with divorced British pilot Captain Peter Townsend after she decided to not go against the church’s wishes. Townsend passed away at the age of 80 in 1985, and the New York Times dubbed him as the princess’ “love.”

When Princess Margaret turned 25, it was widely expected that she will announce her engagement to Townsend. But after she was told that she would have to give up her royal rights and income, and leave England for at least five years, she decided to not push through with their wedding.

But in 2015, BBC reported that the rules about marrying a divorcee have already changed. The new rule stated that the first six people in life for the throne would have to ask the Queen’s permission to marry, and Prince Harry is sixth in line.

Prince Harry could eventually follow in his dad Prince Charles’ footsteps. He divorced Princess Diana before marrying his now-wife, Camilla Rosemary Mountbatten-Windsor. The Duchess or Cornwall was also previously divorced. She and Prince Charles waited for several years before tying the knot, and their ceremony did not take place in the church.