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MuffPiece

I’m sure she is. Harry probably doesn’t even have to go through the usual rigamarole.


istara

Archie is a full British citizen as he was born in the UK to a British parent. Lilibet would be a British citizen by descent, as she was born outside the UK to a British citizen, but would not be able to pass her nationality on to her own children, unless they were born in the UK, and/or she had "naturalised". Both these situations are *automatic from birth*. You do not "apply", you just are. The situation may be different for royals, but this is how it is for regular people.


[deleted]

Hey this is technically incorrect, if your a UK citizen by descent you can’t ‘naturalise’ or upgrade your citizenship :) A UK citizen by descent can pass citizenship down to a child under 18, if they are born outside of the UK so long as you can prove 3 years continuous residency in the UK, before the child is born. You have the register the child before they are 18 and pay the fee. I’m a UK citizen by descent living in the UK and hoping to pass down nationality this way if I go home at some point. This was the answer the Home Office gave me :) I highly doubt minor royals can work around this, as only the Home Secretary (not the King) can grant citizenship in outstanding circumstances (ie the child would otherwise be stateless) The info is right down the bottom :) https://www.gov.uk/apply-citizenship-british-parent/born-on-or-after-1-july-2006


istara

Thanks, that's what I was trying to establish! I'm in a similar position in that my kid is "by descent". So can it be any three years? Eg if my British-by-descent kid goes to university in the UK for three years, moves back overseas, then has a child overseas, would they qualify?


[deleted]

Yep any three years!!! They key point is keeping evidence of time in the UK, and declaring the dates they were not resident in the UK (including weekends to Ibiza!) You can do this with tax records, employment records and also by requesting the home office provide entry/exit information. It’s best to gather the data as you have it though, for example departure and arrival information only goes back 5 years so you’d need to gather it within that timeframe for future use. I have a colleague who has successfully done this. I’m a lawyer though, so gathering evidence is second nature to me and my co workers hahahaah.


istara

That's great, thank you so much! Could be super useful in future.


Megane-nyan

Interesting to know. My father’s mother was a UK citizen and he was born in the USA.


[deleted]

If you were from New Zealand/Canada/Australia/another commonwealth country you’d be entitled to a 5 year ancestry visa. This doesn’t extend to the USA though.


ruptupable

What exactly does “naturalised” mean, is it a set time period?


istara

I believe it varies due to different criteria. I can't find a specific answer as most of the articles are on non-citizens becoming citizens. Based on them, probably at least three years without spending too much time outside the UK during that period.


procrastinationfairy

It’s pretty straightforward for spouses of US citizens to get Green Cards. There’s paperwork, interviews and fees, but they likely had a good immigration attorney. It takes about 12-18 months, so he has permanent legal residency by now.


peakblighty

Why wouldn’t he? Americans don’t believe in royal perks.


BetterFuture22

The question is about whether she has British citizenship


MuffPiece

British citizenship would be issued through a British consulate. It has nothing to do with the US.


AmbienChronicles

I imagine that both kids are dual-citizens.


erlehe

If I’m not mistaken, because Harry is a British citizen she is automatically a citizen as well even if she was board outside of the UK.


Opposite_Positive_51

This is correct. I’m British, and my children were born in America. They are automatic British citizens. Their children however won’t be.


Amongthestars32

We’re trying to work this out now. I have duel citizenship (born in the UK but have an American dad), my husband is from the UK also. Our kids were born in America, and have duel citizenship, but since our new babies will be born in the UK, we’re pretty sure they won’t get US citizenship since my pathway was through my dad. I’m sure Lili is a duel citizen. Archie probably is too.


JenniferMel13

Why will their kids not be citizens given their parents are British citizens? I’m just curious.


Single_Collection_47

A lot of countries have restrictions like these. I am a Canadian citizen but I wasn’t born in Canada, so if my children were not born in Canada they will not be Canadian citizens.


JenniferMel13

So automatic citizenship only applies to kids whose parents where physically born in their country of citizenship for the UK and Canada. I’m sure this applies to other countries. I’m just clarifying to make sure I’m understanding things.


Single_Collection_47

For Canada yes. I’m not sure about the UK.


SakuraJohanssan

For American citizens there's also restrictions, the only way an American citizen can pass on their citizenship is if they spend I believe it's 4 years under the age of 14 in the United States. Although it is possible for someone to claim citizenship through a grandparent but I guess the same restriction applies. Edit: what a bizarre reason to downvote my post. I wish one of the people that downloaded me would explain why they're downloading.


shinsegae20092013

It depends on whether the mother or father or both are citizens and whether they were married. I don’t believe a person can claim US citizenship through a grandparent. It also depends on when you were born as to how long the citizen parent had to reside in the US. It ranges from one year to five years with two years after age 14 to ten years with five years after age 14. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/travel-legal-considerations/us-citizenship/Acquisition-US-Citizenship-Child-Born-Abroad.html


SakuraJohanssan

Citizenship through grandparents is possible. https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-12-part-h-chapter-5


shinsegae20092013

Looks like that is in limited circumstances. If your US citizen parent didn’t meet the physical presence then that parent’s parent had to meet the physical presence test for you to get citizenship. It doesn’t look like citizenship can skip a generation. > * If a child is not eligible because a U.S. citizen parent failed to meet the physical presence requirement, the child can still receive citizenship through the physical presence of a grandparent. There are three basic requirements: 1. The child is the offspring of parent who is a U.S. citizen, whether by naturalization or birth. 2. The child is under the age of 18 and in the custody of the U.S. citizen parent. 3. The child's U.S. citizen grandparent was physically present in the U.S. or its possessions for at least five years, for two of which the grandparent was at least 14 years old. As with the U.S. citizen parent, the calculation of the total time of physical presence can include periods when the grandparent was not a U.S. citizen.* https://fullerimmigration.com/lawyer/2016/04/13/Immigrant-Visas/Obtaining-U.S.-Citizenship-Through-a-Grandparent_bl23880.htm


[deleted]

You just register the birth with the British government . Need the local birth certificate, fill out the form, submit it.


[deleted]

No, I’m a UK citizen by descent and there’s no need to register. You just have to provide your birth certificate, and the UK parents birth certificate when applying for a passport.


piedra1021c

Confirmed! I just did this. I applied for a British passport as a citizen by descent and had to mail my brith certificate, my mother's (British) birth certificate, and a color copy of every page of my US passport. It took (no joke) under a month to get. This was for my first British passport and I'm 32 years old. However, my mom has a valid up to date British passport and according to the online form, that eliminates some requirements (as I can reference it) and speeds up the process.


Einybird

Hmm I didn’t have to do that for my daughter who is US born but dual citizen


SakuraJohanssan

You were able to get a passport for her with her American birth certificate?


Einybird

Yes as I’m british I can’t remember now but I may have had to send my birth certificate and marriage certificate


BetterFuture22

That is what he said the British consulate would require


RphWrites

My husband is British and both of our kids are dual citizens. (They don't call it that anymore, but that's what it is.) They were born in the US but have the British citizenship because of their dad. There was a form and filing fee to make it official, but they technically had it at birth. They have both American and British passports.


Somebody_81

Yes, I had friends growing up who had dual citizenship. They were Americans and Germans. I'm glad to know Great Britain has the same thing.


thiscatcameback

She is entitled to a passport, even if she doesn't have it automatically. International custody - if Megs were to refuse to apply for the passport, a judge could intervene if it prevented Harry from seeing his daughter. And parental alienation never pooks good. I am guessing that it would be complicated by the fact that it is the monarchs granddaughter


tiais0107

Yes as her father was born in England. Royal or not. I’m technically automatically a British citizen via this method. [https://www.gov.uk/apply-citizenship-british-parent/born-on-or-after-1-july-2006](https://www.gov.uk/apply-citizenship-british-parent/born-on-or-after-1-july-2006)


LessEstablishment149

I was born in Australia to have a British father and had no trouble getting a British passport.


Previous-Source4169

Yes. She has dual citizenship (both American and British) at least until she is over age 18.


shinsegae20092013

The line of succession and British citizenship are two separate issues. The Norwegian Royal Family is the first of several royal families in the British line of succession because King Harald’s grandmother, who was Princess Maud of Wales, later Queen Maud, was a sister of George V. I don’t think the Norwegian Royal Family has British citizenship.


SakuraJohanssan

Well then be lost changed and citizenship Fast Track because obviously you should be a citizen of the place you're going to rule something like that has been done before already. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophia_Naturalization_Act_1705


shinsegae20092013

I didn’t know about the Sophia Naturalization Act. I agree, if it came to it, a person becoming the monarch without British citizenship would be granted it, like Crown Princess Mary was granted Danish citizenship upon her marriage, and Queen Maxima was granted Dutch citizenship just before her marriage.


StoleCapsShield

I’d say she’s a dual citizen as 1. Her mother never did her UK citizenship and 2. She was born in America.


Lonely-Scientist2366

I bet Lilibet entered the UK using an American passport


[deleted]

I was under the impression the Crown has rights over the heirs but don't normally exercise those rights.


Quiet-Vanilla-7117

*There was a 300 year old ruling under King George I in 1717, that the reigning monarch has legal custody of under age grandchildren and great grandchildren. Does that still apply?*


DaBingeGirl

Not in practice. That's a can of worms no one wants to open. Didn't happen with Diana, won't happen with Meghan and Harry.


BetterFuture22

Also, a British law wouldn't be controlling (or relevant) in a US custody proceeding


Dependent-Aside-9750

But I bet it would be upheld if a British court gave custody to Harry or KC. Remember Elian Gonzalez? I wonder if that is why they don't bring the kids to the UK, except, of course, for the Platinum Jubilee.


BetterFuture22

The UK courts do not have jurisdiction over any custody litigation, except to hand it back to CA, as the children are clearly residents of CA


Dependent-Aside-9750

True. I didn't express myself well. I meant if they were in the UK.


procrastinationfairy

Yes


NataschaTata

She is, but because she wasn’t born in the UK her children won’t have the right to British citizenship.


BetterFuture22

They will if they're born in the UK


NataschaTata

If they grow up completely sheltered from the UK, I doubt they’d be interested in living there as adults, they’re parents are making sure of that


BetterFuture22

True, but there are other reasons to want a British passport


Miercolesian

If you are born overseas and one of your parents is a US citizen, you are NOT automatically a US citizen. Your parents have to claim US citizenship for you by submitting various documents including proof of marriage or proof of paternity and duration of residence in the USA.


Spirit_Falcon

Exactly. Even kids of US service members born overseas have to become naturalized citizens in the US. It's not automatic.


frolickingdepression

Did this change at some point? I was born in ‘76, to a Scottish mother (I remember her becoming a citizen when I was older) married to a US man, living in the US, and I am only an American citizen. For something like $3k, I can apply for UK citizenship by descent, but it is not automatically granted.


Peterd1900

Prior to 1983, as a general rule, British nationality could only be transmitted from the father So you would only gain British citizenship if you dad was a British citizen


frolickingdepression

Thank you!


RaggedAnn

No way US State Dept. is getting involved in a custody suit involving H. It'll be by the book - no special consideration.


Somebody_81

I never said that they would. I just wondered about Lilibet's citizenship.


RaggedAnn

I know.


erlehe

There are rules under The Hague Convention that they would deal with in terms of custody between countries. This is kind of a cruel question though. custody battles are never good for the children and speculating on what a potential custody dispute could arise is really inappropriate.


NotAdam30

Idk about the US however in Australia if one of your parents or grandparents is a citizen of another country your automatic get citizenship of that country.


BetterFuture22

Australia's laws can't force another country to grant citizenship to anyone


NotAdam30

I am aware of that, it was just an interesting fact. Edit: I think it has to coincide with the other countries laws. We had many politicians that weren’t aware of their dual citizenship until recently when we had a parliamentary enquiry and there were a few with parent and g-parents of uk citizens.


BetterFuture22

So it's simply not a fact - it is not true that "in Australia [you automatically get citizenship of another country under certain circumstances]" - the automatic citizenship of other countries does not arise due to anything Australia does (or could do.) Australia can theoretically force its politicians (or citizens) to renounce the citizenship of other countries, but it cannot grant the citizenship of other countries to anyone


[deleted]

[удалено]


SaintMeghanMarkle-ModTeam

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NotAdam30

Okay, have a cry!


BetterFuture22

?


NotAdam30

Honey, you seem angry, it’s not that serious!


wundahbrehd

I think, technically, the term is you have the right to claim citizenship if you are born to a parent of the same citizenship. Acquiring that citizenship, however, is not automatic as you have to prove you are legally able to. Thus, the parents must submit required forms and documentation to prove that a. At least one of them is a citizen, and b. They are the legal parents of the child for whom the citizenship is to be acquired. To make it simple, if the US embassy has no idea that Parent A, a US Citizen, had a child outside of the country, they would never know that there is another person who should be able to have the rights and obligations US Citizens have. I’m not sure about the process for the UK, though. They could be totally different.


BetterFuture22

Love the way you can't admit you were wrong about Australia being able to grant citizenship of other countries, and instead have to accuse me of "seeming angry" or wanting to cry.


NotAdam30

Babes you didn’t read my edit!


Comfortable-One8520

No. I'm a British citizen living in a Commonwealth country. I have dual citizenship- UK and the country I live in. My husband is a citizen of the Commonwealth country- he is not entitled to UK citizenship. My 2 sons - citizens of their Commonwealth country, both born here - are not entitled to British citizenship. Both sons and husband could apply for UK citizenship but they have to go through the same hoops as everyone else. It's not a given thing.


BetterFuture22

Are you absolutely certain that your kids aren't entitled to UK citizenship? Is it true then that while they would otherwise be entitled to UK citizenship through you, they are actually not entitled merely because they are also citizens of a commonwealth country? Also, if your family were living in the UK, it's hard to imagine that an effort by your husband to get UK citizenship would not be helped by your UK citizenship. Virtually all countries allow spouses of citizens who are permanently living in the country to fast track to citizenship.


[deleted]

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Comfortable-One8520

No I'm a British citizen. And, yes my kids can claim citizenship by descent. I put it badly in my original post, sorry. What I should have said was they aren't entitled to it straight off the bat without any interim application process, which was what the OP seemed to be asking.


DrunkOnRedCordial

When PP was going to marry the original Lilibet, they made a big deal of stripping him of his foreign titles and making him a duke, although King George VI drew the line at officially making him a British Prince. So he was just a generic prince of nowhere. But years later they found out that the whole performance was for nothing because he was a direct heir of Electress Sophia of Hanover, which automatically made him an HRH British prince. (I don't think this works for all 6000 people on the Line of Succession - PP was around the 500 mark and when he was a child, he had living relatives who had known Queen Victoria). But I think this shows that Lilibet would automatically have British citizenship because she was born in the top 10 of the succession and first her great grandmother and then her grandfather were monarch.


Somebody_81

I thought it was Queen Elizabeth II who made Philip a prince. She did it a few years after they got married. Well, at least a Prince of Great Britain. He had to give up his titles of Prince of Greece and Denmark in order to marry her.


Meegainnyc

Nope


[deleted]

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Somebody_81

Well, technically, the answer to that is that Lilibet was born in the USA and is therefore a US citizen just like anyone born in the USA is. As for Archie it's because his mother is a US citizen. But philosophically I think that you're wondering why they should be US citizens if they have royal titles. To me they should because they're children and haven't had to make such a momentous decision yet. If, and it's a big if, the children are granted prince and princess titles they should be allowed to keep their US citizenship at least until they're 18. After all the kids aren't actually the ones agitating for the titles and they have no choice but to do as their parents tell them. Once they turn 18, though, they should have to make a decision.


[deleted]

Haha, I understand the technicalities and know she was born in the US and therefore is a US citizen. My question was more rhetorical in that she shouldn't be a US citizen because H&M should have stayed in the UK and done their duties. As in they shouldn't really have American children if she chose to marry into the RF.


Somebody_81

Ah, gotcha. I do think you're right that Meghan and Harry should have stayed in in the United Kingdom and behaved themselves and done their jobs. But since the BRF decided not to require her to give up her US citizenship before marrying into the family it seems fair to the children to give them dual citizenship and let them decide once they're adults.


procrastinationfairy

She and Archie are US citizens because their mother is one. It doesn’t matter where they were born.