5 Strict Rules Prince George Must Follow Before He Can Marry

For most people, getting married is a personal decision. But for Prince George, things would be far more complicated. As the future king, he will have to keep strict royal protocols in mind before he can walk up the aisle.

George won't be able to make this decision entirely on his own. Under the Succession to the Crown Act 2013, the first six people in line to the throne must obtain the reigning monarch's consent before marrying. George is currently second in line, so the rule applies to him. If he were to marry without that approval, he and any children from the marriage would lose their places in the line of succession. The law doesn't stop him from marrying whoever he chooses, but it does mean that his decision could affect his place in the monarchy.

Religion is another thing George will have to keep in mind, but not quite in the way people might expect. If he becomes king one day, he must be in communion with the Church of England and cannot be Roman Catholic. His future wife, however, won't have to share his faith. The rules changed in 2015, allowing members of the royal family to marry Roman Catholics without losing their place in the line of succession.

George's wedding will be a state affair rather than a typical family celebration. As a future king, his marriage will attract immense public attention, and keeping the engagement under wraps for long could be difficult. The Palace would be expected to announce the news officially, while the formal approval process would involve the monarch's consent being declared in Council and recorded by the Privy Council. Prince William and Princess Kate's 2011 wedding drew huge crowds while millions sat down to watch around the world. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's 2018 ceremony was also a major public event. George's wedding could follow a similar path, with people eager to see who he marries

George's choice of partner will attract attention too, and the scrutiny could go beyond the usual public interest in a royal romance. The person he marries would eventually become queen consort and take on a public role alongside him, so their relationship may be seen as more than a private family matter. Royal marriages have raised constitutional questions before, most notably when Edward VIII gave up the throne in 1936 to marry Wallis Simpson. George's situation will be different, but his future relationship is still likely to be closely watched by the public and the media.

A traditional venue is often part of what makes a royal wedding special. Westminster Abbey has a long history with royal weddings, with Queen Elizabeth marrying Prince Philip there in 1947, followed by Prince William and Princess Kate in 2011. Additionally, protocol would also dictate what George wears on his big day. Male heirs of the royal family traditionally wear an authorized military uniform during the wedding ceremony, reflecting their future role as head of the Armed Forces. William wore his Irish Guards uniform, while Harry chose his Blues and Royals uniform for his wedding, and George could follow in their footsteps when his own wedding day arrives.