Meghan Markle: Citizenship and Religious Conversion

[jacqui24]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

Maxima and Mary Donaldson have been both fast-tracked respectively for Dutch and Danish citizenship. It is only in the UK that fast-tracking Meghan for British ciitizenship has become a controversial issue.

Yes, that's correct. And before anyone else jump in and say that they were marrying the future king, I will point out the the former Princess Alexandra of Denmark and Princess Marie of Denmark were both granted citizenship upon marriage as well.

[Terri Terri]

Yes. But that's Denmark and the Netherlands. We are talking about tbe UK and the current issue of immigration which has become controversial. I understand what the others are saying. I am from the Caribbean and currently there is an issue where Caribbean people have lived in the UK for decades and some of them are being denied access to benefits and pensions. Yes, I know that this issue is very complex and these people don't represent the Queen, but the optics would look bad if Meghan is given citizenship only after 6 months.

[cepe]

If fast tracking happens, it will be if there is going to be a child. I think that would be understood.
I still dont understand how the BRF finances come into (Ive read this thread and other documents from other sources).

[Tatiana Maria]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

Maxima and Mary Donaldson have been both fast-tracked respectively for Dutch and Danish citizenship. It is only in the UK that fast-tracking Meghan for British ciitizenship has become a controversial issue.

Originally Posted by jacqui24

Yes, that's correct. And before anyone else jump in and say that they were marrying the future king, I will point out the the former Princess Alexandra of Denmark and Princess Marie of Denmark were both granted citizenship upon marriage as well.

On the other hand, Luxembourg and Belgium did not even offer citizenship to Princess Claire of Luxembourg or Princess Amedeo of Belgium respectively.

[jacqui24]

Originally Posted by Tatiana Maria

On the other hand, Luxembourg and Belgium did not even offer citizenship to Princess Claire of Luxembourg or Princess Amedeo of Belgium respectively.

Don't know about the latter, but Princess Claire of Luxembourg isn't very actively in public life if I remember correctly. Meghan, on the other hand, will be a working royal much like those mentioned above.

[Tatiana Maria]

Originally Posted by jacqui24

Don't know about the latter, but Princess Claire of Luxembourg isn't very actively in public life if I remember correctly.

Correct, and Princess Amedeo of Belgium does not attend public engagements at all.

[jacqui24]

Originally Posted by Tatiana Maria

Correct, and Princess Amedeo of Belgium does not attend public engagements at all.

Ok, so completely different situations here. We are talking about someone that will undertake engagements on behalf of HMQ. Including official foreign tours at the request of the Foreign Office.

[Somebody]

Originally Posted by Tatiana Maria

On the other hand, Luxembourg and Belgium did not even offer citizenship to Princess Claire of Luxembourg or Princess Amedeo of Belgium respectively.

Neither one of them is a full time royal going to do foreign tours representing the head of state. Luxembourg's hereditary grand duchess was fast tracked as well as she is a full time royal, so it seems to depend on the expected role of the foreign bride.

[Somebody]

Originally Posted by Terri Terri

Yes. But that's Denmark and the Netherlands. We are talking about tbe UK and the current issue of immigration which has become controversial. I understand what the others are saying. I am from the Caribbean and currently there is an issue where Caribbean people have lived in the UK for decades and some of them are being denied access to benefits and pensions. Yes, I know that this issue is very complex and these people don't represent the Queen, but the optics would look bad if Meghan is given citizenship only after 6 months.

The issue of immigration was controversial in the Netherlands as well. Still the large majority understood that a prominent member of the Dutch royal family should have Dutch citizenship. I assume it was the same in Denmark and Luxembourg.

Surely a far better option than creating lots of other issues down the line not only for Meghan but also for any children they may have.

[Denville]

I'm sure they will fast trakc her citizenship, some people will moan but it will happen anyway...

[Humbugged]

Originally Posted by cepe

If fast tracking happens, it will be if there is going to be a child. I think that would be understood.
I still dont understand how the BRF finances come into (Ive read this thread and other documents from other sources).

It's because while she is still a US citizen and liable for tax in the US the IRS have the right to dig into whatever joint finances her and Harry will have and whatever allowance she ends up getting from the family

[jacqui24]

Originally Posted by Somebody

The issue of immigration was controversial in the Netherlands as well. Still the large majority understood that a prominent member of the Dutch royal family should have Dutch citizenship. I assume it was the same in Denmark and Luxembourg.

Surely a far better option than creating lots of other issues down the line not only for Meghan but also for any children they may have.

My personal feeling on this for the future children is that dual citizenship actually be a better thing until they've decided what they want to do for their life. They will live their life as private citizens, but I don't know if it would be better to do so in UK just judging by the York princesses. It might actually be easier for them to live a private life in US if they so choose. It gives them a convenient second option basically. As for investments, they can easily just keep the accounts in US and only file US tax returns. The issue this create isn't so much technical issues, but optics if it becomes public knowledge. Now, I would argue that if the people didn't see this as enough of an issue to expedite Meghan's citizenship, they shouldn't really complain if the children don't pay British taxes even if they would be in line to the British throne.

[Stefan]

Originally Posted by Tatiana Maria

On the other hand, Luxembourg and Belgium did not even offer citizenship to Princess Claire of Luxembourg or Princess Amedeo of Belgium respectively.

But Hereditary Grand Duchess Stephanie was given the luxemburgian nationalitiy upon her marriage. And there where lots of critics at that time that she got it much faster then normal people so very likely the governemtn saw no reason to grat it to Princess Claire as the couple has no active role in Luxembourg and also does not live there on a permanent basis.

[Somebody]

The expected criticism didn't lead to the Luxembourgish government deciding against what was best. Hopefully the UK follows the lead of other European countries that had to deal with this same issue.

[jacqui24]

I don't think they'll reevaluate this issue again until Meghan is pregnant. I have to think the BRF and the government (or at least PM) have discussed this given how thorough everything usually is with the BRF. Even the no official invite at the wedding was done with the approval of the government.

[Ista]

Originally Posted by Denville

I'm sure they will fast trakc her citizenship, some people will moan but it will happen anyway...

This is what I am assuming as well. The potential for headaches and embarrassments if her citizenship is not fast tracked would certainly outweigh any moaning.

Because the fact is, some people are going to moan no matter what.

[Lady Nimue]

Originally Posted by PetticoatLane

One thing I'm sure she won't do is accept any fast track UK citizenship even if it were offered to her, and I very much doubt it would be. Immigration is an enormously touchy subject in the UK, one need only see recent news headlines in the UK over the last few days.

Again, I don't think her citizenship status is wholly her decision. I can't see her having that kind of power in her situation. She (and Harry) will have input but the ultimate decision will factor in considerations larger than their wishes. JMO. (I am concerned that this is being put on Meghan with the consequent suggestion that there will be a backlash against her for what is an institutional decision).

What's odd is we have posters who declare that Meghan will have to 'get with the program' of royal dressing protocols (if there are such), yet something as vast and profound as this becomes her sole decision. What?

Note: She is not an 'American princess'. She will be a British princess.

Originally Posted by PetticoatLane

Giving an American princess special treatment in this regard would be a PR disaster of gargantuan proportions for the BRF and the government of the day. This may or may not be fair to Meghan personally but it is the reality here in the UK.

Apples and oranges and I would suspect that the 'PR disaster' will be with only a very stratified minority of the population. People who are already unhappy with the prince's choice of bride. Just a hunch. Might be wrong but so I think.

Fact is this is a royal/class issue. Yes Meghan is different. She will be royal, like it or not. She is not like any other immigrant, she is not 'the same' even though she comes from 'regular folk'. If that lack of sameness is upsetting, then do away with the royals. Until that takes place, however, the royal system is in place and Meghan upon marriage will be royal and gets fast-tracked. Her status at once is elevated and as part of that system she gets these perks and for very good reasons. IMO.

[jacqui24]

Originally Posted by Ista

This is what I am assuming as well. The potential for headaches and embarrassments if her citizenship is not fast tracked would certainly outweigh any moaning.

Because the fact is, some people are going to moan no matter what.

It has been announced already that she will follow the normal process.

[Ista]

Well, we'll see what is eventually meant by "normal process." If she does have to jump through all the hoops, and is not in any way fast-tracked, it will certainly be very interesting to follow, especially when it comes to how she reports income, gifts, etc. The implications of the children possibly also having dual citizenship seems like a terrible idea, but that also will be interesting to watch. Time will tell.

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by Tatiana Maria

On the other hand, Luxembourg and Belgium did not even offer citizenship to Princess Claire of Luxembourg or Princess Amedeo of Belgium respectively.

What about Prince Lorenz ? I don ‘t consider Princess Amedeo a member of the Belgian royal house.