Thursday, October 25, 2012

Princess Madeleine will retain her title

Svante Lindquist, Marshal of the Realm at the Court of Sweden, has provided more information on Princess Madeleine's engagement.

She will remain a princess of Sweden, and in the order of succession.  She will continue to receive her appanage (allowance.)  Christopher O'Neill will "support" the princess when she carries out official engagements.  He will also accompany his wife to official royal events.

Princess Madeleine will not apply for American citizen, and O'Neill, who has joint American and British citizenship, has no plans to become a Swedish citizen.  (The United States does not recognize dual citizenship, but it does recognize that other countries allow for dual citizenship.)

Christopher O'Neill is Roman Catholic.  He is not required to join the Swedish Lutheran church. 

The decision on Christopher's title will be made at the time of the wedding.  The couple plan to live in New York City after the wedding.

Princess Madeleine is also the Duchess of Hälsingland and Gästrikland.  At the time of her first engagement to Jonas Bergström, the court announced that Jonas would be styled as Duke of Hälsingland and Gästrikland after the wedding.

Mr. O'Neill is not prevented from having a title, or even inheriting a title.  The U.S. Constitution is clear about Americans and titles:

"Clause 8. No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State."
 
 
A select number of former Presidents and Secretaries of State have received honorary knighthoods from Queen Elizabeth II. This honors were granted AFTER the men left office
 
William Jennings Capell, 60, is the heir presumptive to the 11th Earl of Essex, who is 68 and unmarried.  Mr. Capell is Yuba City, California, grocer.
 
 
In 1987,  Rick Whortley, a resident of Maine, learned that his father's second cousin had died, and he was now the 5th Earl of Wharncliffe. 
 
Lord Wharncliffe's son Reed is Viscount Carleton.  It is unlikely that the family uses the titles in every day life in Maine, but Patrick was not barred from inheriting the title.  He did not lose his American citizenship. 
 
 
Sir Jean Ivor Dunbar of Mochrum, 13th Bt, served in the U.S. Army. He succeeded to the baronetcy in 1977 and died in 1993.  He was an American citizen.  His son succeeded as the 14th Baronet, and is Colonel Sir James Michael Dunbar of Mochrum.  He reached the rank of Colonel in the U.S. Air Force.  He his two sons, the elder is the heir apparent.  This baronetcy will continue to stay with the American descendants.
 
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3 comments:

MAH said...

I"m just curious what you mean by the US not recognising dual citizenship? What is the difference between allowing dual nationality (which the US does, ie you can be a US citizen and become a citizen of another country) and recognising it? I agree in terms of "recognition" they don't do anything but not sure what there is to do?

MAH said...

Not sure if my previous comment got through to moderator -- the words you have to type to prove you aren't a robot really hard to see.

I was asking what you meant by "recognising" dual citizenship? And what was the difference between recognising and allowing, which the US does as you can be a US citizen and take citizenship of another country as well (as I've done, being dual US/UK, taking on UK when I was in my 30's).

Marlene Eilers Koenig said...

from the state dept.

The concept of dual nationality means that a person is a citizen of two countries at the same time. Each country has its own citizenship laws based on its own policy.Persons may have dual nationality by automatic operation of different laws rather than by choice. For example, a child born in a foreign country to U.S. citizen parents may be both a U.S. citizen and a citizen of the country of birth.

A U.S. citizen may acquire foreign citizenship by marriage, or a person naturalized as a U.S. citizen may not lose the citizenship of the country of birth.U.S. law does not mention dual nationality or require a person to choose one citizenship or another. Also, a person who is automatically granted another citizenship does not risk losing U.S. citizenship. However, a person who acquires a foreign citizenship by applying for it may lose U.S. citizenship. In order to lose U.S. citizenship, the law requires that the person must apply for the foreign citizenship voluntarily, by free choice, and with the intention to give up U.S. citizenship.

Intent can be shown by the person's statements or conduct.The U.S. Government recognizes that dual nationality exists but does not encourage it as a matter of policy because of the problems it may cause. Claims of other countries on dual national U.S. citizens may conflict with U.S. law, and dual nationality may limit U.S. Government efforts to assist citizens abroad. The country where a dual national is located generally has a stronger claim to that person's allegiance.

However, dual nationals owe allegiance to both the United States and the foreign country. They are required to obey the laws of both countries. Either country has the right to enforce its laws, particularly if the person later travels there.Most U.S. citizens, including dual nationals, must use a U.S. passport to enter and leave the United States. Dual nationals may also be required by the foreign country to use its passport to enter and leave that country. Use of the foreign passport does not endanger U.S. citizenship.Most countries permit a person to renounce or otherwise lose citizenship.

Information on losing foreign citizenship can be obtained from the foreign country's embassy and consulates in the United States. Americans can renounce U.S. citizenship in the proper form at U.S. embassies and consulates abroad.