(no subject)

Date: 2011-03-01 02:55 (UTC)
starlady: Raven on a MacBook (Default)
From: [personal profile] starlady
Well, the specific issue at the Balmoral party was a protocol issue--the invitation had been issued in the King's name, so the King was obliged to greet guests, not his companion. It was essentially the same protocol issues that made it impossible for them to marry and him to remain King, too; like someone said in the movie, no divorced person could be received at Court. The 'skills' thing didn't seem worth mentioning. Afaik there was no need for a dispensation for Bertie to marry Elizabeth, since she was of aristocratic rank and not previously married. It was protocol of this sort that was the stated reason for Prince Charles to marry Princess Diana, too--Diana was an unmarried aristocrat, whereas Camilla was a commoner, and possibly already married at that point? I'm not sure.

My take on Edward VIII is that he was fundamentally somewhat selfish, but he did love Wallis, despite the fact that she apparently continued to cheat on him while they were married. But it does speak well of him both that he wanted to marry her rather than just keep her around as his mistress and that he was willing to give up his office for her--Elizabeth II's sister Margaret faced a similar choice in the 1950s when she wanted to marry a divorcée officer, and when the Queen refused to allow Margaret to keep her rank and marry him, Margaret gave up the man rather than that.

But yes, given the circumstances in which the CoE was created, the "no divorce" rule in the royal family does seem rather ridiculous.
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