The Queen's sweet gesture to Meghan Markle ahead of royal wedding
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have cleared the final hurdle ahead of their wedding on Saturday, with the Queen giving her written approval of the marriage.
The document, which was signed by the Queen, is called the Instrument of Consent and it will be given to the couple following the ceremony.
Buckingham Palace have released the first image of the document which states the Queen has formally given her consent that the couple wed.
As Prince Harry is sixth in line to the throne, he requires formal permission from the monarch to marry under the Succession to the Crown Act.
The document states: "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.”
The document includes an elaborate design of a red dragon with a rose, a thistle and a shamrock – a heraldic symbol of Wales combined with the floral emblems of the UK.
Prince Harry's emblem includes three tiny red escallops from the Spencer family arms, representing his late mother Princess Diana.
On the right side there is a floral design of a rose with two golden poppies, which represents the union of Harry and Meghan. The rose is the national flower of the US and poppies the state flower of Meghan's home state of California. Under the rose is a Welsh leek next to Prince Harry's label.
The Queen's signature is on the top right corner of the document and it is sealed with the red Great Seal of the Realm.
The Instrument of Consent will be presented to the couple after their wedding.