The Royal Marriages Act, enacted in 1772, prohibits members of the royal family from marrying without the consent of the reigning monarch. Its purpose was to prevent unsuitable marriages within the royal family, as King George III had concerns about potential spouses. According to the law, any royal family member who wishes to marry must seek permission from the king or queen. Additionally, if they are above the age of 25, they can provide a 12-month notice to the Privy Council. This law remains in effect to this day.
The Royal Marriages Act, passed in 1772, requires members of the royal family to obtain the king or queen’s permission before getting married. This law was enacted due to King George III’s concerns about potential unsuitable marriages that could harm the reputation of the royal family. According to the Royal Marriages Act, royal family members must seek approval from the monarch if they wish to marry. Additionally, if they are above 25 years old, they must provide a 12-month notice to the Privy Council. If both the king or queen and the Privy Council do not approve the proposed marriage, it will not be considered valid. For instance, Prince William, second in line to the throne, had to seek permission from his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, before marrying Kate Middleton. The queen granted her permission, allowing the couple to proceed with their marriage. Another example involves Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth II’s younger sister, who desired to marry a divorced man named Peter Townsend. However, the Royal Marriages Act prohibited royal family members from marrying divorced individuals at that time. Consequently, Princess Margaret had to make a difficult choice between relinquishing her royal title or ending her relationship with Peter Townsend. Ultimately, she decided not to marry him.
The Royal Marriages Act is a law in the United Kingdom that requires certain members of the royal family to obtain the sovereign’s consent before marrying.
The Act applies to descendants of King George II, including the first six people in line to the throne.
If a member of the royal family marries without the sovereign’s consent, the marriage is considered void and the individual may lose their place in the line of succession.
The sovereign can withhold consent for a marriage if they believe it would be “prejudicial to the interests of the Crown.”
The Royal Marriages Act was repealed in 2015 with the passing of the Succession to the Crown Act, which removed the requirement for the sovereign’s consent for royal marriages.
The Act does not apply to descendants of Princess Sophia, who are not in the line of succession.
Yes, a member of the royal family can marry a commoner under the Act, as long as they obtain the sovereign’s consent.
The Act was originally passed to prevent members of the royal family from marrying without the sovereign’s consent and potentially creating political alliances that could threaten the stability of the monarchy.
The Act was repealed in 2015, so it is no longer in force. However, while it was in effect, it could potentially be challenged in court on the grounds of human rights or discrimination.
With the repeal of the Act, members of the royal family are no longer required to obtain the sovereign’s consent for their marriages, allowing them more freedom in choosing their partners.
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This glossary post was last updated: 16th April 2024.
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