Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Won't Have Custody of Their Own Kids

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have both been open about their desire to start a family, though, there's a law in place that states they won't actually have custody of their future children. Yup, you read that right. When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex eventually bring a new royal baby into the world, they will not have legal custody of their own kid. Prince William and Kate Middleton, who are parents to Prince George (5), Princess Charlotte (3), and Prince Louis (3 months), also do not have legal custody of their kids. Pretty crazy, right?

So, if Harry and Meghan won't have legal custody of their children, who will? Well, the answer probably won't surprise you. Royal expert Marlene Koenig told news.com.au. that "The sovereign has legal custody of the minor grandchildren." So that means Queen Elizabeth II is technically in charge of both Prince William's and Prince Harry's children while they are minors. 

Koenig explained further that, “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 Prince William and Kate may inherit legal custody of their children one day, Prince Harry and Meghan will not. When Queen Elizabeth passes away, her oldest son, Prince Charles, will inherit custody of all the minor royals. If Prince Charles passes away before George, Charlotte, and Louis turn 18, Prince William will become the legal guardian of his children when he becomes the ruling sovereign. He will also inherit legal custody of his brother's minor children, as well. 

Koenig says the royal family doesn't take this law too seriously in the present day, however, they do defer to the Queen on some important parenting decisions. The Queen reportedly has final say in the custody upbringing, education, travel, and even the right of abode of the minor grandchildren. For example, when Princess Diana passed away she had a will that stated she wished for her two sons to be raised by her mother and brother. Those wishes were not honored, however, because Diana technically did not have custody of her children to begin with. Prince Harry and Prince William remained in the Queen's custody after their mother's passing. 

When Prince Charles becomes the custodian of his grandchildren, Koenig says he probably won't overstep Prince William as he respects his son's parenting immensely. He may, however, ask for more pictures of George, Charlotte, and Louis. 

Photo: Getty


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