Is it Possible for British Royalty to Marry Commoners and Retain Their Royal Titles but Not Their Powers?

Historical Context and Current Insights

Apart from Prince Philip, who was a royal himself but of low rank when he married

Q: Apart from Prince Philip who was of royal birth but technically a commoner when he married, was the last member of the British Royal family to marry another royal the present Duke of Kent’s father?

A: Yes, the last member of the British Royal family to marry another royal was indeed the present Duke of Kent’s father, who married Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark in 1934. This marriage, while rare, set the precedent that a commoner can marry into the British royal family and retain certain titles, but might not inherit the royal powers.

Can Commoners Have Children with British Royals While Retaining Their Own Royal Titles?

There have been numerous instances throughout history where commoners have married into the British royal family, and their children have inherited royal titles. For example:

Anne Boleyn: A commoner who became Queen and had a daughter who became Queen Elizabeth I. Children of British Royalty: The last 100 years have seen many heirs marry commoners, including Prince Henry's children, with no loss of royal status for their spouses or children.

It's worth noting that in most of Europe, the principle has been to marry outside the royal family to diversify the bloodline, which is a practice that has been maintained in British royal marriages.

Why Haven't Commoners Marriages Resulted in Royal Titles for Their Offspring?

There are historical and constitutional reasons for this. For instance, only Russia and Austria-Hungary required marriages to be amongst royals until they ceased to have monarchies. In other countries, such as Thailand and Spain, morganatic marriages exist, where a royal marries a commoner, but the children are not in the line of succession.

In the case of the British royal family, marriages to commoners are generally considered acceptable, and the children of such unions are also considered royal, provided they meet the usual criteria of being a direct descendant of the monarch.

What Happens When a Commoner Marries a Member of the Royal Family?

When a commoner marries a royal, their status changes significantly in several ways:

Wife Inherits Titles: If a woman marries a commoner, she retains her current titles, and the husband does not gain any new titles. Marrying a Peer: If a commoner marries a peer, the wife takes on the feminine form of the husband's title, along with HRH (Her Royal Highness) and any princely titles. For example, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall was a commoner until she married Prince Charles. Marrying a Royal: If a man marries a commoner, his wife gains the feminine form of the husband's royal or peerage titles.

These rules help to maintain the rigid hierarchy within the British royal family, ensuring that only those with the appropriate lineage and titles can ascend to royal status.

Examples of Commoners in the Royal Family

Several notable figures within the British royal family are either married to or descendant from commoners:

Queen Elizabeth II: Her mother, Queen Elizabeth, was undeniably a commoner before her marriage to the Duke of York. Princess Diana: Princess of Wales, though a princess before her marriage, entered the British royal family as a commoner before ascending to her title. Queen Letizia of Spain: She and King Felipe VI's marriage is another example of a commoner rising in status within the royal family.

Conclusion

In the British royal family, marriages to commoners can certainly retain titles for the spouses and children, provided they align with the constitutional framework. While historical precedents and current practices support such unions, it underscores the importance of maintaining the delicate balance that defines the British royal lineage.

Keywords: royal titles, commoners, British monarchy