Friday, May 17, 2013

No titles for Christopher O' Neill

There will be no royal titles for Mr. Christopher O'Neill, who is engaged to marry Princess Madeleine of Sweden.   The British-born O'Neill, who holds dual American and British citizenship, has requested that he not be given the title Prince of Sweden with the rank of royal highness nor that he be styled as Duke of Gastrikland and Hälsingland.  Princess Madeleine is the Duchess of Gastrikland and Hälsingland.

Mr. O'Neill has chosen not to pursue Swedish citizenship.  He also plans to continue his business career.  Members of the Swedish royal family cannot hold positions of responsibility in business. 

American can hold and inherit foreign titles, including royal titles and peerages, with the exception stated in the Constitution:  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.

Since 1932,  foreign titles held by British nationals are not officially recognized.  Thus, if Christopher, as a British citizen, would not have his foreign titles recognized in the United Kingdom.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/policyandlaw/nationalityinstructions/nisec1prosec/titles(foreign)?view=Binary


Today's announcement did not include information about titles for any possible children.  According to the Swedish Act of Succession,  a dynast must have Swedish nationality. 


http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/thewedding/theprincesscouple/mrchristopheroneill.4.4ea495e313c19c119aa58b5.html

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