Royal romances: Tolerant view of divorce marks new era

LONDON (AP) — Divorce has bedeviled Britain’s royal family for centuries.

It has created problems not only when Prince Charles and Princess Diana ended their marriage in the most bitter fashion in 1996, but also when other royals — Princess Margaret — fell in love with people who had been divorced and could not marry them for that reason.

The British monarch also serves as Supreme Governor of the Church of England, which historically refused to bless the unions of anyone with a living ex-spouse.

In 1936, drama over a divorced American woman led King Edward VIII to abdicate the throne because of his determination to marry her.

In contrast, in 2018, Prince Harry’s plan to marry divorced American actress Meghan Markle is being met with ... a shrug.

EPA An undated photo released by the British Royal Mail shows the First Class stamp, one of a set of stamps issued by the Royal Mail to celebrate the forthcoming wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.