Prince Harry, Meghan Markle's Wedding Journey Is Easier Than King Edward VIII's

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding journey will be better compared to other royals who married a divorcee in the past like King Edward VIII.

Royals were previously forbidden from marrying divorcees, but this rule has changed over time and the public has become more understanding. Before Prince Harry and the "Suits" star and Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles, there was King Edward VIII, who married divorcee Wallis Simpson.

Simpson was an American. She was opinionated and divorced twice, but the king fell in love with her. Despite her wit and beauty, Simpson was treated with disdain, News.com.au reported. Britons and the press apparently saw Simpson as an "evil temptress." When King Edward VIII became king after his father's death, he expressed his interest in marrying Simpson. But the government of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth raised a number of religious and moral arguments against their union. They did not want to accept Simpson as his consort.

King Edward VIII and Simpson's relationship made headlines worldwide. In fact, Simpson was named the 1936 Woman of the Year. But the church was still not willing to accept their relationship.

On Dec. 1, 1936, Alfred Blunt, Bishop of Bradford, had King Edward VIII chose between the throne and his love. On Dec. 10 of the same year, King Edward VIII gave up the throne and abdicated. In a broadcast, he told listeners that he could not fulfill the job of a king "as I would have wished" without the support of "the woman I love." The following day, King Edward, who was then introduced as "His Royal Highness Prince Edward," and Simpson sailed into exile to Australia.

The publication noted that things are easier for Prince Harry and Markle today because the public's attitude towards divorce has changed. The groom-to-be has also steadily dropped down the line of succession due to Prince William and Kate Middleton's children. Prince Harry has a slim chance of being crowned as the next king.

Despite the changing perspective of the British towards divorce, royal experts still believe that one's marital status matters. Before Prince Harry and Markle announced their engagement, a number of royal insiders said that Markle being a divorcee would be a factor in the location and lavishness of the next royal wedding.

"Meghan Markle has already been married, so I believe they would have a service of blessing," Hugo Vickers said.

"You wouldn't necessarily have a big grand ceremony, and it would be more like Charles and Camilla," Scott Peterson explained.

"Meghan is, after all, a divorcee, so it would probably be a registry office ceremony with a church blessing afterwards," royal biographer Penny Junor said.

Do you believe that the public and media's treatment of Prince Harry and Markle's engagement is better than that of King Edward VIII and Simpson in the past? Drop a comment below.