With less than two months to go until Prince Harry and Meghan Markle say 'I do' at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, Queen Elizabeth II has finally given the pair her permission to get married.

Talk about cutting it fine, Liz!

During yesterday's Privy Council meeting at Buckingham Palace, The Queen game her official declaration to the pair's marriage, using both Meghan and Harry's full names in her decree.

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The Monarch reportedly declared:

'My Lords, I declare My Consent to a Contract of Matrimony between My Most Dearly Beloved Grandson Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales and Rachel Meghan, which Consent I am causing to be signified under the Great Seal and to be entered in the Books of the Privy Council.'

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However, royal fans have been quick to point out that Her Majesty's declaration isn't exactly as warm in tone as it was ahead of Prince William's marriage to Kate Middleton in 2011.

When the Queen gave her consent before William and Kate's nuptials, she referred to the duo as 'Our Most Dearly Beloved Grandson Prince William Arthur Philip Louis of Wales, K.G. and Our Trusty and Well-beloved Catherine Elizabeth Middleton'.

Meanwhile, Meghan was simply referred to by her birth name, 'Rachel Meghan'.

However, speculations of trouble between Meghan Markle and the Queen couldn't be further from the truth as it's recently been reported the 91-year-old had an 'intimate lunch' on Mother's Day with the Suits star.

America's ABC News was first to report the lunch date, but Kensington and Buckingham Palace have declined to comment.

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The Succession to the Crown Act 2013 rules that the first six people in the line of succession must have the Queen's consent before they can marry on 19 May.

If Prince Harry had married Meghan without the monarch's approval – which has been sought for all those in the line of succession since the 18th Century – he and his descendants would be banned from ever ascending to the throne.

The former actress attended her first official event with Queen Elizabeth II on Monday and looked stunning in an Amanda Wakeley cream coat.

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Katie O'Malley
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Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.