Sarah Mitchell
The British Royal Family is an ancient institution steeped in tradition and governed by a strict set of rules. One such rule is that no Roman Catholic can become the monarch. This is because the monarch is also the head of the Church of England, a Protestant Anglican church. While the Succession to the Crown Act (2013) removed discrimination against royals married to Roman Catholics, a Roman Catholic royal is still barred from ascending the throne. Several members of the Royal Family have renounced their right to the throne after converting to Catholicism, including Lord Nicholas Windsor, the son of the Duke of Kent.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can a Catholic be a monarch? | No |
| Can a royal be Catholic? | Yes |
| Can a royal marry a Catholic? | Yes |
| Can a royal's children be raised Catholic? | Yes, but they cannot inherit the throne |
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What You'll Learn
The monarch is the Head of the Church of England
The British royal family is an ancient institution steeped in tradition and governed by various rules and regulations. One of the most well-known rules is that the monarch, who is also the Head of the Church of England, cannot be a Roman Catholic. This rule has been a significant point of contention and has had a notable impact on royal succession throughout history.
The Church of England, also known as the Anglican Church, was established in the 16th century by King Henry VIII, the royal family's forebear. Henry VIII's split from the Catholic Church and the subsequent establishment of the Church of England as the country's official religion marked a pivotal moment in English history and set the tone for religious affiliation within the royal family for centuries to come.
Despite some changes in legislation over the years, the rule prohibiting Catholics from becoming the monarch has remained steadfast. This rule is rooted in the country's historical religious tensions and the desire to maintain the Church of England as the predominant faith. In the late 17th century, England was predominantly Protestant, and anti-Catholic sentiments ran high. These sentiments influenced the laws and succession rules surrounding the monarchy.
While the laws have evolved to allow members of the royal family to marry Catholics without losing their place in the line of succession, a Roman Catholic royal is still not permitted to become the monarch. This restriction is outlined in the Succession to the Crown Act of 2013, which amended previous legislation to remove male bias and discrimination against royals married to Catholics. However, the Act maintains that a Catholic royal cannot become the sovereign.
The monarch's role as the Head of the Church of England is significant, as it reinforces the historical and symbolic connection between the monarchy and the established church. As the Head of the Church, the monarch is expected to defend the faith and uphold the values and traditions of the Anglican Church. This role carries immense responsibility and influence, shaping the religious landscape of the nation.
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The last Catholic monarch was Mary Tudor
The British monarch is also the Head of the Church of England, a Protestant Anglican church established by Henry VIII in the 16th century. This means that, by law, Catholics cannot be the monarch. The last Catholic monarch was Mary Tudor, also known as "Bloody Mary", who was Queen of England and Ireland from 1553 until her death in 1558.
Mary was the only surviving child of Henry VIII and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. She was initially declared illegitimate and barred from the line of succession following the annulment of her parents' marriage in 1533. However, she was restored via the Third Succession Act in 1543 or 1544. During her reign, Mary vigorously attempted to reverse the English Reformation, which had begun during her father's reign. She also tried to restore the Church's confiscated property, but this was largely thwarted by Parliament.
Mary's regime was marked by the persecution of Protestant dissenters, leading to her infamous nickname, "Bloody Mary". During her five-year reign, more than 280 religious dissenters were burned at the stake in what became known as the Marian persecutions. Mary's attempt to restore Catholicism was ultimately unsuccessful, and her re-establishment of Roman Catholicism in England was reversed by her half-sister and successor, Elizabeth I.
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Royals who marry Catholics are disqualified from succession
The British Royal Family is an ancient body that is subject to many rules. The succession to the throne is regulated not only through descent but also through Parliamentary statute. The order of succession to the throne outlines the order in which members of the Royal Family stand in line to the throne. The Royal Family’s website reads: “The Succession to the Crown Act (2013) amended the provisions of the Bill of Rights and the Act of Settlement to end the system of male primogeniture, under which a younger son can displace an elder daughter in the line of succession. The Act also ended the provisions by which those who marry Roman Catholics are disqualified from the line of succession. The changes came into force in all sixteen Realms in March 2015.
However, a Roman Catholic royal is still not entitled to become the monarch. The monarch is also the Head of the Church of England, a Protestant Anglican church established by the royals’ 16th-century forebear Henry VIII. The last Catholic monarch was Mary Tudor, who was posthumously deemed “Bloody Mary” for her executions of Protestants.
Several members of the Royal Family have been impacted by the Catholic rule. For instance, the youngest son of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, was removed from the line of succession when he converted to Catholicism. In addition, in 1978, the Queen’s cousin Prince Michael of Kent was removed from the line of succession after marrying Marie-Christine von Reibnitz, who was a Catholic. Other royals impacted by the Catholic rule include Edward Windsor, Baron Downpatrick (excluded by becoming a Roman Catholic), Lady Marina Charlotte Windsor (excluded by becoming a Roman Catholic), and Lord Nicholas Windsor (excluded by becoming a Roman Catholic).
While the new rules of royal succession have removed discrimination against royals married to Roman Catholics, a Roman Catholic royal still cannot become the monarch.
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Royals who convert to Catholicism are disqualified from succession
The British Royal Family is an ancient institution steeped in tradition and governed by numerous rules. One of the most well-known rules is that members of the Royal Family who are Roman Catholic are disqualified from ascending the throne. This is because the monarch is also the Head of the Church of England, a Protestant Anglican church established by the royals' 16th-century forebear, Henry VIII. The last Catholic monarch was Mary Tudor, also known as "Bloody Mary" for her executions of Protestants.
While the rules surrounding royal succession have evolved over time, the exclusion of Roman Catholics from the line of succession has remained a consistent factor. In the late 17th century, England was predominantly Protestant, and anti-Catholic sentiment was widespread. This sentiment carried over into the laws governing the royal family, and it was feared that a Catholic monarch would threaten the country's Protestant establishment.
As a result, any member of the Royal Family who converts to Catholicism is automatically removed from the line of succession. This has happened several times throughout history. For example, the youngest son of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, was removed from the line of succession when he became a Catholic. Similarly, the Duke of Kent's son, Lord Nicholas Windsor, renounced his right to the throne when he embraced Catholicism in 2001.
The Succession to the Crown Act (2013) made significant changes to the rules of royal succession, ending male bias and discrimination against royals married to Catholics. However, the Act did not change the provision disqualifying Roman Catholics from becoming the monarch. This means that while a royal can marry a Catholic without losing their place in the line of succession, they cannot become the monarch if they themselves are Catholic.
It is worth noting that the issue of Catholicism in the Royal Family is complex and evolving. While there are still restrictions on Catholics in the line of succession, the Royal Family has shown a willingness to adapt and modernise, indicating a potential for further change in the future.
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King Charles has signalled he will be a defender of faiths
The British Royal Family is an ancient institution with many rules and traditions. One such rule is that the monarch must be the head of the Church of England, a Protestant Anglican church. This means that Catholics cannot be the monarch. The last Catholic monarch was Mary Tudor, who was posthumously deemed "Bloody Mary" for her executions of Protestants.
Under the new rules of royal succession, members of the Royal Family are allowed to marry a Roman Catholic and still become king or queen. However, a Roman Catholic royal still cannot become the monarch. This rule has affected several royals, including the Duke of Kent's son, who was removed from the line of succession when he converted to Catholicism, and Prince Michael of Kent, who was removed from the line of succession after marrying a Catholic woman.
Despite being the head of the Church of England, King Charles has expressed a desire to be a defender of faiths, rather than just the Defender of the Faith. This stance reflects the UK's growing religious diversity and the decline of Christianity as the dominant religion in the country. Charles has shown an interest in non-Christian faiths, such as Islam and Judaism, and has emphasized the importance of protecting the freedom to worship for all faiths in the country.
Charles's coronation ceremony was a deeply religious affair, described as "first and foremost an act of Christian worship" by the archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. However, the coronation liturgy was produced in close consultation with the king and accommodated his desire to involve leaders and representatives of other religions. Charles's stance as a defender of faiths is in line with the approach taken by his predecessor, Queen Elizabeth II, who reached out to non-Christian faith groups and frequently referenced them in her Christmas broadcasts.
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Frequently asked questions
No, royals do not have to be Catholic. However, a Roman Catholic royal is not entitled to become the monarch.
Yes, members of the royal family can marry a Roman Catholic. However, until 2015, royals who married a Roman Catholic were disqualified from the line of succession.
No, a Roman Catholic royal cannot be in the line of succession. However, this was changed in 2015, and royals who had been removed from the line of succession due to marrying a Roman Catholic were reinstated.
Yes, the children of royals can be Catholic. However, they would not be able to inherit the throne.
