Prince Harry And Meghan Markle’s Son Archie Might Require Royal Permission To Marry
Prince Harry And Meghan Markle’s son Archie might not have a royal title but he may still be subject to royal law when it comes to making big decisions in his life.
After the royal tot was born on May 6 last year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex chose not to give their son a title.
Announcing their decision to step down as senior members of the royal family earlier this year, Prince Harry noted he and his wife wanted to step forward into a ‘more peaceful life’ with their son.
However, the child – who now lives with his parents in California – is still seventh in line to the throne.
When his grandfather, Prince Charles, becomes king, Archie will move up the line of succession and it's believed he will automatically become a prince at the age of 18. As a result, he will then be able to decide whether or not he wants to use the HRH title, which his parents no longer officially use.
While Archie might not yet be a prince, constitutional expert Iain MacMarthanne says that the royal could still be subject to a royal law that requires royals who are sixth in line to the throne and above to ask the presiding monarch for permission to marry.
‘Prior to the Succession of the Crown Act 2013 all descendants of George II, under the terms of the Royal Marriages Act 1772, unless the issue of a princess who had married into a foreign royal family, had to obtain the sovereign’s permission to marry in order to retain their rights in succession,’ MacMarthanne recently told the Express.
‘The 2013 Act sought to bring multiple pieces of outdated and discriminatory legislation relating to the monarchy up to date. Through this Act male primogeniture was abolished, allowing the first born child irrespective of gender to become heir apparent.
‘The disqualification from inheriting the throne by marrying a Catholic was removed; and the Royal Marriages Act of 1772 was repealed, resulting in only the first six in line to the throne being required to obtain the sovereign’s permission.’
While Archie might have to seek royal consent to tie the knot, in much the same way as his cousins Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis will be required to, he might also be allowed to swerve this royal ruling.
‘It might be anticipated that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s son, should he marry, will have to seek the sovereign’s permission unless one of his three cousins marry and have children first, as he will be sixth in line when his grandfather is king,’ MacMarthanne noted.
Archie recently relocated to Montecito, Santa Barbara, where his parents are believed to have recently bought a home after living in Los Angeles for several months.
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