Gay Of Thrones
Oct. 21 2021, Published 11:32 a.m. ET
The Netherlands was the first country to legalize gay marriage in 2001.
And now their Prime Minster has said the Dutch crown princess can marry a person of whatever gender if she chooses without forfeiting her right to the throne.
Crown Princess Catharina-Amalia, 17, has not commented about her sexuality and little is known of her love life.
But after recent books speculated about the issue, Prime Minister Mark Rutte decided to clarify the government’s view.
He said times have changed since one of his predecessors last talked about the subject in 2000.
“The government believes that the heir can also marry a person of the same sex,” he said in a letter to Parliament.
“The cabinet therefore does not see that an heir to the throne or the King should abdicate if he or she would like to marry a partner of the same sex.”
Rutte admitted the question of children remained unresolved, but thought that bridge could be crossed when the time came.
“It’s just very dependent on the facts and circumstances of the specific case, as you can see by looking back at how family law can change over time,” he wrote.
Unlike regular marriages, royal unions need the approval of Parliament in the Netherlands.
Royals have sometimes given up their place in the line of succession to wed someone without permission.
A similar situation in the U.K. would be far more complicated.
As things stand, the monarch is the supreme governor of the church of England, which opposes gay marriages, so if Prince George turns out to be gay, he wouldn't be allowed to become king.
But maybe things will change in time.
