'I'm all in': As royal wedding nears, black women excited to see Markle take center stage

Monica Dudley loves a fairy tale romance.

She loves the idea of people from two different worlds falling in love, getting married and living in a house with a white picket fence and a cute dog. 

And she loves weddings — she does own a bridal boutique after all.

So it's only natural that Dudley, like the millions of other people around the world, will watch the royal wedding of a beloved British prince and a beautiful American woman.

But this wedding is different. 

A decade ago, Meghan Markle — a biracial actress who is also a divorcee — marrying Prince Harry would likely have been a scandal. For some Delaware black women, Markle marrying into the royal family on May 19 signifies the growing representation of black women in popular culture. 

“It’s a fairy tale so to speak, but it’s not just her being biracial," Dudley says. "It's showing a different side of this world.

“It sends a message that we’re all the same."

The announcement of Markle becoming a future royal — technically a duchess — ignited social media posts in the fall, including hashtags like #blackprincess.

Both celebrities and commoners have expressed their love for Markle. On the talk show "The View" comedian Whoopi Goldberg talked about how much it meant to her and for the possibilities that black children can dream of: "The little kid in me says, 'You know what, even you could be a princess.'"

Dudley, owner of Bella's YOUnique Bridal Boutique in New Castle, didn't know who Markle was until a few months ago. While this wedding doesn't have the same significance as seeing a black woman become president or earn a top honor, she says she loves seeing a woman of color so prominent in pop culture.

"As a person of color....it means a lot to see them and to see society changing," Dudley says. 

Since the news of the engagement, a lot of conversations at Sherell Flagg's salon, Resh Salon and Spa in New Castle, have focused on the royal wedding.

Flagg never closely followed the royal family — until now. She says she will "definitely" watch the wedding, which will be televised early in the morning in the United States on May 19.

"I'm all in," she says.

To Flagg, this moment is much bigger than a celebrity wedding. She believes it shows the world, not just black women, that there is "opportunity for all of us." 

She hopes Markle's new influence and prominence as a black "princess" will bring more black characters, dolls and cartoons into popular culture.

And especially during this time of tragic events and political turmoil, the wedding is giving people all over the world a sense of hope, she says.

Flagg attributes Markle's popularity to her elegance and sophistication. When rumors first swirled about Prince Harry dating Markle, the actress faced racist and offensive comments by some British media organizations and Internet trolls. Flagg says Markle carried herself gracefully and "didn't feed into it at all."

"She is the true definition of a princess," she says. 

Courtney Ann Thomas-Wallace, an attorney with the Delaware Department of Defense, has been a fan of Markle for years.  "Suits," which the actress starred in, is one of her favorite television shows.  

Thomas-Wallace likes that Markle has "never shied away from her culture" and has been vocal about being a biracial woman. Markle will not just be a "good image for little girls of color but for everyone to see as well," she says. 

"I like that this will open people's eyes and showcase women of color," Thomas-Wallace says. 

Dudley, who exclusively sells discounted wedding gowns, knows what she would dress Markle in if she had the chance to be her stylist. It would be a long-sleeved ball gown that has tulle, French lace and lots of sparkles.

And she predicts Markle will go for a plunging neckline. Unlike her future sister-in-law Kate Middleton, Markle will likely opt for a sexier dress, Dudley says.

While Dudley plays matchmaker to help brides find the perfect dress, she also often serves as their relationship therapist. Dudley, who has been married to her husband Gerry for 37 years, believes Markle and Prince Harry will have a strong marriage due to their shared passion for certain charities and helping others.

She believes Prince Harry's charity work and open-mindedness stems from his late mother Princess Diana, of whom Dudley was a fan.

But she does believe Prince Harry and Markle should follow the advice she gives most betrothed couples: Keep your friends and family out of your relationship.

A strong marriage consists of two people who like to spend time together and want to create a partnership. Don't let other people's opinions dictate your relationship, she says.

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Contact Meredith Newman at (302) 324-2386 or at mnewman@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter at @merenewman.