British monarch Queen Elizabeth II has officially given her grandson Prince William her blessing to wed fiancee Kate Middleton by signing a formal declaration of consent.
- April 22, 2011
AceShowbiz - The young couple, Prince William and Kate Middleton announced its engagement in November and is set to exchange vows at London's Westminster Abbey on April 29.
But members of the royal family are required by law to gain the approval of the monarch under the Royal Marriages Act of 1772, and the notice of approval, known as the Instrument of Consent, was signed by Queen Elizabeth II on February 9.
The document was made public on Thursday - on the Queen's 85th birthday.
It in, she states her consent to the union of "Our Most Dearly Beloved Grandson Prince William Arthur Philip Louis of Wales, K.G., and Our Trusty and Well-Beloved Catherine Queen Elizabeth II Middleton".
The news comes a day after the bride-to-be's parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, met the monarch for the first time. The Middletons enjoyed a private lunch with the Queen and her husband, Prince Philip, at Windsor Castle on Wednesday.
And while the future in-laws were meeting for the first time, William and Kate were in Northamptonshire, visiting the tomb of the prince's late mother Princess Diana at Althorp House.
