Meghan Markle: Life as a Duchess0:59
While life as a duchess seems like a fairytale, Meghan Markle may still be learning how to safely find her way as the newest member of the royal family - thanks to a wealth of royal protocols.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Picture: Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImageSource:Getty Images
THE Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have a few unconventional hurdles to leap when parenting their three children George, Charlotte and Louis..
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have a very unusual custody arrangement with Queen Elizabeth. Picture: Dominic Lipinski — WPA Pool/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images
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Even the most knowledgeable fan might not be aware of this, but according to royal historians, Prince William and Kate Middleton don’t have legal custody of their own children.
That, in fact, belongs to the children’s 92-year-old great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.
“The sovereign has legal custody of the minor grandchildren,” royal expert Marlene Koenig told news.com.au.
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.”
The law is more than 300 years old and was passed by a majority of 10 out of 12 judges in 1717, who decided the monarch’s “right of supervision extended to his grandchildren and this right of right belongs to His Majesty, King of the Realm, even during their father’s lifetime”.
Thanks to a centuries-old law, the Queen has custody of George, Charlotte and Louis. Picture: Andrew Matthews — WPA Pool/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images
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According to Koenig, who has written two books on the history of the British royal family and had dozens of articles published in the Eurohistory Journal, the law was legislated once again in 1772, when King George III was in power, and has never been superseded by new legislation.
The custody law still stands today, and over recent decades has affected the way the royals parent their children, especially when it comes to matters of upbringing, travel and education.
“When [Princes Harry and William] were little, Prince Charles asked the Queen if both children could fly on a plane together to Scotland, to which the Queen said yes,” Koenig said.
“Technically, they needed permission for travel. The Queen has the last word on parenting decisions like that.”
The law will apply to any children Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images
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It wasn’t the only time the Queen’s tick of approval was sought. meant that Princess Diana’s wish to have Harry and William raised by her brother and mother was ignored following her death. Picture: Tim Graham/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images.
Perhaps frustratingly, William and Kate shouldn’t expect to receive legal custody of their three children any time soon, either.
According to Koenig, in the event of the Queen’s passing, the legal custody of George, Charlotte, Louis, and any other grandchildren in the palace will be passed onto their grandfather Prince Charles who would then be king.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leave St George’s Chapel after their wedding. Picture: Jane Barlow, WPA Pool/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images
The situation will be the same for any future children born to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle..
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