The Divorce Attorney Journal

Now that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are married, talk will turn to babies… and maybe even divorce. Though the fairytale royal weddings that are broadcast on television are the stuff dreams are made of, the day itself is no indicator of what a marriage will be like. And just because you’re a prince or princess or duchess or duke does not mean your union will always be harmonious. Divorce is part of the modern age, and royals are no exception. Your Michigan divorce, thank goodness, can at least be lived out of the spotlight.

In anticipation of the rumors that are inevitably ahead for this much-watched young couple, here is a look at the good, the bad, and the ugly of divorced British royals.

Prince Charles and Princess Diana

Charles and Diana brought a sense of youth to the stodgy old British monarchy, and their “love” story was ushered into pop culture with their televised 1981 wedding. The knowledge that there was unfaithfulness and dislike threaded throughout the marriage was a tough pill for fans of the couple (or at least fans of the princess) to swallow.

Even though he married Diana, Charles was still smitten with old girlfriend Camilla Parker Bowles, a feeling that plagued the marriage of two people who didn’t have much in common and were separate in age by 13 years. The Prince and Princess of Wales divorced in 1995 after two children – Will and Harry (wonder what those spousal support negotiations were like) – and Charles is now wedded to his longtime love, Camilla. Diana’s love life became tabloid fodder, which indirectly led to her death in a car crash in Paris in 1997.

Princess Anne and Mark Phillips

Queen Elizabeth’s second child, Princess Anne, divorced her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips, in 1992. They separated in 1989 and shared custody of the children. It seemed that this was a love that simply petered out, as it was revealed over time that the two were both unfaithful and did not spend much time together. Princess Anne didn’t waste any time moving on, however, and married her second and current husband, Timothy Laurence, later that same year.

Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson

Going right down the line, Queen Elizabeth’s third child, Prince Andrew, divorced his wife Sarah Ferguson in 1996. The couple had known each other since childhood, but the marriage lasted only six years and produced children Beatrice and Eugenie. Formally known as the Duchess of York, Sarah endured relentless criticism from tabloids throughout her marriage, which did nothing to help the pair’s union. They are, however, quite amicable today and remain close.

Beyond Michigan Divorce: Other Notable Royal Relationships

In the royal marriage that didn’t end in divorce but probably should have, twice-divorced American social climber Wallis Simpson married King Henry VIII. She was thought so unsuitable by British monarchy and the establishment that their union led to Henry’s abdication of the throne.

Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth’s sister, divorced Antony Armstrong-Jones in 1978 after a glamorous lifestyle, though one riddled with infidelity. It was a notable dissolution of marriage since it was the first divorce by a senior member of the royal family since 1971. (Also interesting, this royal couple was the first to have a televised wedding.)

And of course, there is King Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon, the divorce that started it all, in which Henry split with the Catholic church in 1534 and established the Church of England simply to give himself permission to divorce the first of his six wives.

You may not have had a royal wedding, and you may not have the wealth or status for a very public divorce, but the break-up of your marriage deserves careful attention and careful planning. Consult with Michigan Divorce Help, PLLC in Macomb, Michigan, to talk about your path to a Michigan divorce. Contact us to schedule your appointment.