Meghan Markle: Citizenship and Religious Conversion

[soapstar]

This thread can be used to discuss Meghan Markle's citizenship and religious conversion.

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[texankitcat]

I have my answer regarding Meghan's citizenship. She WILL become a British citizen giving up her American citizenship and WILL convert to the Church of England. I thought that would be the case.

[Curryong]

That's a swift fast track to UK citizenship, but it's all good.

[O-H Anglophile]

Originally Posted by texankitcat

I have my answer regarding Meghan's citizenship. She WILL become a British citizen giving up her American citizenship and WILL convert to the Church of England. I thought that would be the case.

She's not giving up her American citizenship--she plans to have dual citizenship.

[jacqui24]

Originally Posted by Curryong

That's a swift fast track to UK citizenship, but it's all good.

I think it said she'll become UK citizen in due course? Which I took to mean she'll take the route all other immigrants have to. Also, Roya Nikkhah reported it'll be a charity fair and a visit to Nottingham Academy, so I guess we are really getting two?

Originally Posted by O-H Anglophile

She's not giving up her American citizenship--she plans to have dual citizenship.

There are conflicting reports on this at this point.

[Somebody]

According to CNN no decision has been made to whether Meghan will keep her US citizenship. So the first step is to apply for British citizenship and afterwards she could eventually decide/be advised to give up her American citizenship.

A spokesman said Markle would retain US citizenship through the process of becoming a UK citizen but it was "too early to say" if she would retain dual nationality. The process is expected to take several years.

I don't see how she would be able NOT to retain US citizenship throughout the process. She can hardly be expected to have no nationality for a while.

[texankitcat]

Originally Posted by O-H Anglophile

She's not giving up her American citizenship--she plans to have dual citizenship.

According to what I read, it isn't clear if she will maintain her American Citizenship after she goes through the lengthy process of becoming a British Citizen. Certainly while she is going through it, she will remain an American citizen. Did you find something that stated otherwise?

Originally Posted by jacqui24

There are conflicting reports on this at this point.

Yes, what I am seeing as well...

[Moonmaiden23]

Meghan was never baptized? That must be a first for a Royal fiancee marrying into a European House. To be married in the CoE one must be both baptized and Confirmed, just like in the Catholic faith since marriage is considered a Sacrament.

[Pranter]

Originally Posted by Moonmaiden23

Meghan was never baptized? That must be a first for a Royal fiancee marrying into a European House. To be married in the CoE one must be both baptized and Confirmed, just like in the Catholic faith since marriage is considered a Sacrament.

Anyway, I am thrilled that it will be a St. George's as I always knew it would. I have a sentimental weak spot for the jewel of a church.

It doesn't sound like she had a religious upbringing really. Her parents (according to Rebecca English I think) are both Protestant. But lots of folks don't practice their Faith.


LaRae

[jacqui24]

I got a giggle out of this tweet from Tom Wells regarding Meghan taking the British citizenship test.

https://twitter.com/ByTomWells/statu...41504197775363

One of the standard citizenship test questions facing Meghan Markle asks where the wife of another rather famous royal called Henry got her head chopped off. Good sense of humour, our civil servants.

[wbenson]

Originally Posted by Moonmaiden23

To be married in the CoE one must be both baptized and Confirmed, just like in the Catholic faith since marriage is considered a Sacrament.

That's not normally a requirement. https://www.yourchurchwedding.org/ar...hurch-wedding/

"You are not required to have been baptised at a christening, or be a regular churchgoer, to have a church wedding."

[O-H Anglophile]

Originally Posted by texankitcat

According to what I read, it isn't clear if she will maintain her American Citizenship after she goes through the lengthy process of becoming a British Citizen. Certainly while she is going through it, she will remain an American citizen. Did you find something that stated otherwise?

I'm not even sure now where I read it--and more than half of what is being or has been reported isn't even accurate--the press track record on this romance isn't very good

I guess unless it is in a statement from KP, CH or BP or directly comes from Harry, Meghan or an official representative we don't know for sure.

[texankitcat]

Originally Posted by O-H Anglophile

I'm not even sure now where I read it--and more than half of what is being or has been reported isn't even accurate--the press track record on this romance isn't very good

I guess unless it is in a statement from KP, CH or BP or directly comes from Harry, Meghan or an official representative we don't know for sure.

Ha! So true! I am sure we will get more information as time goes on. It's been quite some time since an American has married into the RF, so it makes sense there are questions as to how all this works.

[Cocoasneeze]

Originally Posted by O-H Anglophile

I'm not even sure now where I read it--and more than half of what is being or has been reported isn't even accurate--the press track record on this romance isn't very good

I guess unless it is in a statement from KP, CH or BP or directly comes from Harry, Meghan or an official representative we don't know for sure.

It's confusing, because these royal reporters were tweeting this amongst all the info KP just released released in their statement. So I assumed it was within the info released by KP.

[Moonmaiden23]

Originally Posted by wbenson

That's not normally a requirement. https://www.yourchurchwedding.org/ar...hurch-wedding/

"You are not required to have been baptised at a christening, or be a regular churchgoer, to have a church wedding."

The link to that site seems to be for a Protestant or CoE wedding, so I stand corrected about that particular faith.

But I have never heard of a Roman Catholic wedding between an unbaptized bride and groom, even though it's true that you do not need to be a regular churchgoer. You are required to go through a series of preparatory pre-wedding classes however.

Anyway my original point was not that it's not allowed in the CoE, only that this situation (an unbaptized fiancee) is unique in Royal Europe.

[Somebody]

Originally Posted by Moonmaiden23

Meghan was never baptized? That must be a first for a Royal fiancee marrying into a European House. To be married in the CoE one must be both baptized and Confirmed, just like in the Catholic faith since marriage is considered a Sacrament.

Anyway, I am thrilled that it will be a St. George's as I always knew it would. I have a sentimental weak spot for the jewel of a church.

Small but important correction: marriage is not a sacrament in the Anglican Church, like other protestant churches the Anglican church only acknowledges two sacraments: Baptism and Communion (also known as the Eucharist or the Lord's Supper).

It is indeed uncommon for a future royal bride not to be baptized (it also comfirms that religion isn't really important to Harry) but I don't think she is a first. Prince Rudolf of Liechtenstein married the Turkish Tilsim Tanberk; whom I expect to be a muslim.

[Biri]

Originally Posted by Somebody

Small but important correction: marriage is not a sacrament in the Anglican Church, like other protestant churches the Anglican church only acknowledges two sacraments: Baptism and Communion (also known as the Eucharist or the Lord's Supper).

It is indeed uncommon for a future royal bride not to be baptized (it also comfirms that religion isn't really important to Harry) but I don't think she is a first. Prince Rudolf of Liechtenstein married the Turkish Tilsim Tanberk; whom I expect to be a muslim.

As for Princess Tilsin; she converted to Christianity before the wedding.

[Mbruno]

I am surprised to hear she will be baptized prior to the wedding. Mainstream Christian churches, including the Roman Catholic Church, recognize baptisms performed at other churches provided that they follow the correct Trinitarian formula. Therefore, if someone is baptized for example in an Anglican church, or in a Lutheran church, or even in a Presbyterian church and then converts to Catholicism, the Catholic Church will not baptize him/her again. I am not Anglican, but I would assume the same must be true in the CoE. Therefore, if Meghan is to be baptized, the speculation in the forum that she was never baptized , and therefore never received before in any Christian church, proved to be true after all.

[Denville]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

I am surprised to hear she will be baptized prior to the wedding. Mainstream Christian churches, including the Roman Catholic Church, recognize baptisms performed at other churches provided that they follow the correct Trinitarian formula. Therefore, if someone is baptized for example in an Anglican church, or in a Lutheran church, or even in a Presbyterian church and then converts to Catholicism, the Catholic Church will not baptize him/her again. I am not Anglican, but I would assume the same must be true in the CoE. Therefore, if Meghan is to be baptized, the speculation in the forum that she was never baptized , and therefore never received before in any Christian church, proved to be true after all.

No if she was baptised n a Christian denomination she wuodl not have to be baptised again... Presumably she wasn't ever baptised...

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by Denville

No if she was baptised n a Christian denomination she wuodl not have to be baptised again... Presumably she wasn't ever baptised...

Being baptized as an adult is a big deal that should not be taken lightly, or as a mere formality. I hope Meghan gets the necessary preparation as a catechumen and does so out of conviction and on her own free will.

EDIT: As mentioned in the Wikipedia article I linked above, in the Catholic church at least, catechumens are usually baptized at Easter. I don't know the Anglican custom, but could that also be the case for Meghan ?