The child born to Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle will likely have dual citizenship. Since the Duchess of Sussex has yet to become an official U.K. citizen, which reportedly has a lengthy process, her baby may also automatically acquire American citizenship once she has given birth.
According to People, U.S. laws state that a baby born to parents of American (Meghan) and non-American citizenship (Harry), may still be a U.S. citizen if the American parent has lived in the United States five years before the baby's birth. As an automatic U.S. citizen, however, the baby may also be recognized as a U.K. citizen, especially if the child's birth is in Britain.
However, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex must inform the American consulate of their baby's birth to gain official documents of his citizenship. Part of the privilege of having dual citizenship will allow the baby to also have a U.S. passport.
The Duchess, who was born in Los Angeles, did not become a U.K. citizen when she married Prince Harry in 2018. She was spotted applying for a U.K. Visa in Chicago a month before her wedding.
According to Business Insider, Meghan still had to go through the legal process of gaining her British citizenship as any other person. However, this is something that takes years to become final. Thus, when her baby is born any day now, then Meghan would still be an American citizen.
Baby Sussex is not just going to make history by becoming a U.S. citizen. The child, who will become seventh in line to the throne, is also going to be the first biracial baby in the modern royal family.
"The royal family is not unused to that kind of thing," royal expert Hugo Vickers said, as per Page Six. "Children have been born with Greek mothers or German mothers in the past, obviously, but Meghan is the first American mother so close in the royal family."
This duality also won't be a big deal since Baby Sussex isn't immediately in line to the throne. Thus, the new parents may have more freedom to decide on what they want for their baby.
Meanwhile, Meghan was not present during the Anzac Day celebration at Westminster Abbey on Thursday due to the impending birth of her child. Prince Harry, however, was in attendance and was spotted being very chummy with his sister-in-law, Kate Middleton, as per USA Today.
This closeness between the in-laws might help dispel the rumors that there is feuding between the two houses. Prince Harry was also quite friendly with the Duchess of Cambridge when they got together as a family last Easter Sunday, the Queen's birthday.
