Prince Harry and Meghan's son Archie may be subject to royal wedding law
Prince Harry and Meghan have made no secret of their wish to protect their young son from the glare of public life. It was a key part of their decision to step back from royal duties earlier this year, with a desire to raise Archie as a private citizen.
As part of their plan to give him as normal a life as possible, he Duke and Duchess of Sussex have kept various aspects of Archie's life quiet and chose not to give their son a royal title when he was born.
Although Archie is growing up without a royal title, he is still seventh in line to the throne and will move up the line of succession when Prince Charles becomes king. Once his grandfather is the UK monarch, Archie will automatically become a prince and at the age of 18, he can decide whether or not he wants to use HRH.
However, one royal expert has claimed that even if Archie decides against using his royal title, there is still a chance he will be subject to a royal law surrounding marriage.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, Iain MacMarthanne explained: "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.
"The 2013 Act sought to bring multiple pieces of outdated and discriminatory legislation relating to the monarchy up to date.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disqualification from inheriting the throne by marrying a Catholic was removed; and the Royal Marriages Act of 1772 was repealed, resulting in only the first six in line to the throne being required to obtain the sovereign’s permission."
It's expected then that, if Archie does decide to tie the knot one day, he must seek royal consent. However, MacMarthanne explained that there is a possibility he will be freed from this obligation.
"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," he said.
Archie, who is now one-year-old, is currently living in Montecito, Santa Barbara, where his parents recently bought a home. He is expected to be raised on the Californian estate, which comes with five acres of land and has its own playground, making it perfect for family life.
You Might Also Like
