Tyla

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Not now
OK
Advert
Advert
Advert

Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Won't Have Custody Of Their Baby

Rachel Andrews

Published 
| Last updated 

Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Won't Have Custody Of Their Baby

Featured Image Credit: PA Images

A bizarre royal law means The Duke and Duchess of Sussex won't have custody of their baby when it arrives in spring.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced the exciting news that they are expecting their first child together earlier this week, but when the baby is born next year they won't actually have legal guardianship over him or her.

Reports suggest that Queen Elizabeth II has full legal custody over some of the minor royals because of an agreement the family already have in place, dating back centuries.

Credit: PA Images
Credit: PA Images
Advert

Royal expert Marlene Koenig told The Sun: "The sovereign has legal custody of the minor grandchildren."

"This goes back to King George I [who ruled in the early 1700s], and the law's never been changed.

"He did it because he had a very poor relationship with his son, the future King George II, so they had this law passed that meant the King was the guardian of his grandchildren."

While this law is over 300-years-old, it's still and place and has never been repealed.

Advert

This means that Prince William and Kate Middleton's three kids - Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis - are all in custody of the Queen, although it's unlikely she would ever dictate how the tots are raised.

Credit: PA Images
Credit: PA Images

If the Queen passed away, this legal custody would then be past to the children's granddad, Prince Charles, as he would be King in that case.

In the past, the law has slightly affected the upbringing of Prince William and Prince Harry, as their parents - Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana - would have to ask the Queen permission for certain decisions.

Advert

"When Harry was an infant, Charles asked the Queen if he and Diana could travel with both kids to Scotland (on a plane). The Queen said yes," Marlene explained.

Credit: PA Images
Credit: PA Images

Princess Diana was unable to fly to Australia with her kids shortly before she passed away as she didn't have permission from the Queen.

She added: "The Queen has the last word on parenting decisions like that."

Advert

According to the royal expert, custody isn't included in divorce documents as the couples don't have legal guardianship over their kids.

Loading…

And while Princess Diana asked for her brother, Earl Spencer, to be the legal guardian of her children if she or Prince Charles ever passed away in her will, her wish probably wouldn't have stood up in court.

Topics: Celebrity News, Royal Family, Celebrity Entertainment

Rachel Andrews
More like this
Advert
Advert
Advert

Chosen for YouChosen for You

Entertainment

Hairy Bikers' Si King gives emotional update on life without best friend and co-star Dave Myers

an hour ago

Most Read StoriesMost Read

NHS advice on pulling out ingrown hairs after father is given 4% chance of survival

21 hours ago