Royal divorces: It's not all fairytales

(CBS) As the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton rapidly approaches, we take a look back at some royal marriages that didn't last. Divorce in royal circles isn't a new phenomenon - take Louis XII of France and England's Henry VIII, for example - but in the last century it seems to be more commonplace.

Pictures: Royal divorces
Special section: The royal wedding

Prince William's great-great uncle, Edward, was King Edward VIII until he abdicated to marry Wallis Simpson, who was still married to her second husband when Edward proposed to her. (In fact, William can thank - or curse - Edward for his place in the British monarchy as second in line to the throne.)

These days divorce is accepted for British royals in a way that doesn't end paths of succession or cause rifts between the church and state. Years after divorcing Princess Diana, Prince Charles - William's father and heir apparent to the throne - was able to marry Camilla Parker Bowles, herself a divorcee.

And no one asked us, but let's be clear: We wish William, 28, and Kate, 29, the best. They seem to have good heads on their shoulders and lots of experiences together already in public life to prepare them for what lies ahead.