Isn't the British prince supposed to marry someone from the "Nobility"?

Question

I had this idea that if someone in line for the throne wanted to marry a commoner, he would step down from his "position" in line, and the next male heir in line for the throne would be the one to take the throne when it became open. Didn't one of the British princes do that sometime during the last century?

Answer 1

No, there is no requirement in the UK or elsewhere that a prince marry an aristocrat's daughter. After all, Prince Charles's 2nd wife had no courtesy title before her marriage, and neither did Prince Andrew's or Prince Edward's. Princess Anne has married two untitled men, and members of the extended royal family have also married untitled people.



I think you are referring to the Abdication of Edward VIII in 1936. The problem there wasn't that the woman was a commoner but that she'd been twice divorced. While there is no law against the monarch's or the heir's marrying a divorced person, in 1936, social attitudes towards divorce were hugely disapproving. Moreover, the Church of England at the time prohibited the remarriage of the divorced in religious ceremonies (it no longer does so).



Much has changed in the UK since 1936.



By the way, even aristocrats' daughters are commoners. Their fathers are peers, but they are not, and so they are commoners.

Answer 2

You are thinking of Edward VIII in 1936 who abdicated in order to marry the American divorcee Wallis Simpson. The issue there was her being a divorcee which is an issue in Anglicanism (Church of England) of which the current UK monarch is technically the head.



This issue is one that somehow has been overlooked in the case of Prince Charles of Wales who married a divorcee and has not been made to abdicate.



There isn't any theoretical issue with royalty marrying non-nobility but it is rare.

Answer 3

Probably, but I think, after his parents' disastrous marriage, lessons have been learnt, & they've relaxed the rules a bit; as far as I know, the only stipulation remaining is that she can't be Roman Catholic (the Queen is the Supreme Head of the Church of England).

In answer to the last bit, I think you're referring to Prince Michael of Kent, who relinquished his right to the throne by marrying a Catholic - but he's so far away from it anyway as to render the situation purely academic. He wouldn't get there anyway.

Answer 4

No that is an old rule and the only reason our monarch is hear right. The only require is that she is not allowed to be Catholic or Christians if she is then she would have to convert to the church of England like she did two weeks before the marriage I think!

Answer 5

Contrary to what some would have you believe, the British monarchy does progress with time. While once it would be considered inappropriate it is now accepted.

Answer 6

No, that's a very very old rule. This is the 21st century haha, and he is free to marry who he is in love with.

Answer 7

You're talking about Archduke Franz Ferdinand. They said to him that if he married Sofia, because of her low birth status, his children would never become Emperor or Empress.

Answer 8

Unless the Monarch (Queen) gives approval.

Answer 9

this is the 21st century.

traditions change.

he can marry who he wants, when he wants etc.

its like someone told you that you cant marry someone because of their race or status & love didnt matter.

soooo, yeahh he can do what he pleases :)