Why was Prince Charles permitted to marry a divorced woman???

Question

Divorce is not permitted for those persons in line to the British throne, nor are they permitted to marry someone who is divorced.

Prince Charles was divorced from Diana at the time of her death. Although she's dead, there is a divorce on record. He is NOT a widower. Camilla Parker-Bowles IS in fact a divorced woman.

I need to ask...how is it Charles was permitted to marry her???

Did the law change to accomodate him????? The Church of England does not recognize divorce, and the heir to the throne must never marry a divorced person. What's up with this??

Answer 1

Will considering his auntie Margo was divorced.   His child bride's parents were divorced.   Sarah Ferguson's parents were divorced.  Since his 2nd cousin Prince Michael divorced and married a divorced Catholic (who's father had n**i ties) and a lot of other nasty bits of trivia,  and the fact that it was the modern 1990's - yes, he could get a divorce and married a divorcee himself!   Get over it!  Do you think he should have stayed to Dianna and lived a lie - both were clearly miserable and not to mention the effect it was having on their two sons?   Yes, he could and he did remarry - so what?  Gonna harbour a grudge for the rest of your life - and who's life is it anyway?

Answer 2

Because he is Prince Charles

Answer 3

because he's royalty and he can change the laws!

Answer 4

Charles is a widower.  Diana's death was convenient in that.  The church absolutely does NOT say someone who has had a divorce can't get married.  It says it does not recognise divorce.  Divorced people cannot get married because they are still married to their previous spouse!  If the previous spouse is dead, that problem no longer exists.

You can go back at least 500 years for examples of this.  There was an uproar about Henry VIII marrying Anne Boleyn because people saw him as still be married to Catherine of Aragon (which he was divorced from).  There was no issue at all with him marrying Jane Seymour because by that time both Anne and Catherine were dead.

Please cite a law that states that the heir cannot marry a divorced person.

Answer 5

According to Biblical meaning, Charles was married to Diana until she died, therefore he was a widower.  If a divorce is not acknowledged, then the marriage was in tact, therefore, he was a widower.  

Camilla was clearly divorced.  Most churches have relaxed this restriction, and clearly the Church of England has.

Answer 6

the royals always seem to get their own way and it goes to show how corrupt the church of England is

Answer 7

I believe Prince Charles had a civil marriage to Camilla rather than a church marriage. Afterwards they were blessed by the Archbishop of Canterbury.  This is a sort of compromise that has been reached by the C of E for divorcees who wish to remarry. I think everyone was anxious to avoid another Abdication Crisis, which is why the marraige was allowed to take place.

Answer 8

It was added to the 'Blue Book',which has all of Britain's secrets...

Answer 9

Why do you think the Church of Scotland married Charles and Camilla?

Because the Church of England refused it.

May I also add there is more blue blood running through the vains of William and Harry than Charles.  Princess Diana was indeed more blue blooded than the Winstors.

Answer 10

no there is no law saying he cant marry a divorced person, as future head of the church of England he will have problems, which is why he married in a civil ceremony

he only requires permission, he is not excluded from marrying a divorced person

Answer 11

Because he is HRH Prince Of Wales...He could do what he wants.

I agree with JanJan

-SS (:-Smiling Star-:)

Answer 12

Up until 2002, the Church of England did not permit the re-marriage of divorced people with living ex-spouses. However, that law was uplifted since then, therefore, that is why Prince Charles could marry Camila. However, the marriage remained elusive, with two main issues requiring resolution and acceptance. As future Supreme Governor of the Church of England, the prospect of his marrying Camilla, with whom he had had a relationship while both were married, was seen as controversial by some. Both the Prince and Camilla had divorced their spouses, but as her former husband was still alive (although re-married to his long-time mistress), her remarriage was likely to be problematic. Over time, opinion — both public and within the Church — shifted somewhat to a point where a civil marriage would be acceptable.

Answer 13

Times have changed and divorce is quite common,even among the royal family! Divorced royals,as long as they aren't serial divorcees,can stay in line of succession to the throne.I don't think that Charles can ever divorce Camilla,though...I think that one divorce is all that is unofficially allowed for a royal;there still are some standards.

And keep this in mind: The Church of England was started by Henry VIII so he could DIVORCE his first wife and marry number two!!!