It's official: Royal knot can be tied

The Instrument of Consent, the document confirming the Queen s approval. Photo / AP

The official document granting permission for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to wed has been released, incorporating the symbols of America on to traditional vellum to represent the bride.

The ornate Instrument of Consent, the official document confirming the Queen's approval, features emblems for Markle including a rose, the national flower of the United States, two golden poppies from her home state of California, and olive branches adopted from the Great Seal of the US.

The Queen signed the Instrument of Consent in March, at the top of a vellum document transcribed in calligraphy and issued under the Great Seal of the Realm.

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 KCVO and Rachel Meghan Markle."

The wording differs from the instrument signed to give consent to the marriage of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, when the bride was described as "our trusty and well-beloved Catherine" in a phrase reserved for UK citizens and the Queen's realms.

Significantly, it includes a Commonwealth emblem, reflecting the couple's commitment as youth ambassadors in the family of nations, as well as images for Harry's maternal heritage from the Spencer family.

The design to the left of the text incorporates a red dragon, the heraldic symbol of Wales, and the UK's floral emblems, the rose, thistle and shamrock.

It also features Prince Harry's Label, including three tiny red escallops from the Spencer family Arms.

The design to the right of the text, representing Markle, also includes the rose, the national flower of the US. To either side of it are two golden poppies, the state flower of California where Markle was born.

Between the flowers is the Welsh leek, together with Prince Harry's Label with olive branches underneath. To the left, underneath the two main designs, is the coronet for Harry with the Commonwealth emblem on the right.

Harry, as sixth in line to the throne, had to seek the Queen's permission under the Succession to the Crown Act 2013. The act requires the first six people in line to obtain her blessing to marry, unless they wish to be disqualified from succeeding to the Crown.

- AP