Can someone in line to the throne marry an atheist?

Question

Okay, so they can't marry a catholic. But what about other religions - and none?

Answer 1

I am sure they can marry an atheist. The law only says members of the royal family can't marry Catholics.

Answer 2

The person must be Church of England.Whether the person actually believes is another question,but that person must belong to the Church and be a participating member.

http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page5655....

"The succession to the throne is regulated not only through descent, but also by statute; the Act of Settlement confirmed that it was for Parliament to determine the title to the throne.

The Act laid down that only Protestant descendants of Princess Sophia - the Electress of Hanover and granddaughter of James I - are eligible to succeed. Subsequent Acts have confirmed this.

Parliament, under the Bill of Rights and the Act of Settlement, also laid down various conditions which the Sovereign must meet. A Roman Catholic is specifically excluded from succession to the throne; nor may the Sovereign marry a Roman Catholic.

The Sovereign must, in addition, be in communion with the Church of England and must swear to preserve the established Church of England and the established Church of Scotland. The Sovereign must also promise to uphold the Protestant succession."

Answer 3

I think it's a big no no........ Although, we seem to be in a 'new wave' of royal shennanigans at the moment. So I would think the rules would be bent....... fnar fnar.

Answer 4

Yes, but they can't marry a Catholic. As a Catholic myself I find this discriminatory however in practical terms it's irrelevant to my life.

Answer 5

William and Harry have both recieved a high level of education so I would be suprised if they believed in some sort of God creature anyhow.

Answer 6

Rumours were that George the III married a Quaker, but had the marriage annulled.

Under the Royals Marriage Act 1772, you have to be CoE to be able to take the throne (and that slightly undemocratic issue of being a Royal)!

Why, did you have the hots for Will's and hoping that you could sucker Kate Middletons plans? Bringmesunshine, I thought you had better morals than that! I can just see you at St Paul's shouting from the back "It should have been me!" when the Archbishop says "I am required to ask anyone present who knows a reason why these persons may not lawfully marry, to declare it now"

Answer 7

Clearly, the answer is yes they are aloud. Atheism (apart from the British Humanist Association) has no writen Doctrine and therefore as long as the spouse of the Royal is a practicing member of the Church of England (THIS; does not necissarily mean they are a Theist, since it could be a family tradition or simply a scheme to marry the Royal...many people attend Church who aren't actually Theists, usually for Religion in ones life etc....not common though). For instance, Kate Midlton, may not be a Theist (although she very well could be) but she was still raised in the Anglican tradition and therefore Religiously qualified to become a member of the immidiate Royal Family.

God Save the Queen!

Answer 8

are you an atheist having a secret affair? ;)

Answer 9

Are Wills and Harry practicing christians anyway? Surely it must be difficult going to church on a Sunday when you've spent all Saturday night and most of early Sunday morning boozing.

Answer 10

Most members of the Royal family have converted to CofE before marriage  - Autumn Kelly converted from Roman Catholicism  and Prince Philip converted from Greek Orthodox before he married the then Princess Elizabeth.

As the monarch will one day be the Supreme Governor of the Church of England it presents problems if they have a non-religious wedding. Although Prince Charles and The Duchess of Cornwall had a civil (i.e. non-religious) marriage the marriage was "blessed" by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

As long as the person was not militantly atheist and/or refused to have a religious cermony I don't see a problem.

Answer 11

No!

You have to convert to their religion dont know what that is as not big on the royals!

Answer 12

love eric n ernie

hate the royals

puppetheads we have to attract visitors to our shores

to this day and age have a royal family of any country is bullcrap they should all be deported to germany where a lot of them came from.