Royal Marriage: The Netherlands is well known for being the first country to legalize same-sex marriage about twenty years ago. However, this freedom did not apply to the Royal Family of the country.
For them, the government had different rules that said that if an heir of the family wanted to enter into a marital relationship with a same-sex partner, they would have to forfeit their title and right to the throne.
Latest Verdict of Royals
At an E.U summit in Brussels, the European leaders gathered to discuss a new law approved by Hungary’s parliament that, according to critics target LGBTQ+ members of the society.
At that meeting, the Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, announced that the Dutch princess had the freedom to marry anybody of any gender without losing her right to the throne. Crown princess Catherina-Amalia Beatrix Carmen Victoria, 17, has not commented on this, and little is known about her personal life.
Is the Decision Valid
The declaration is undoubtedly a break from traditional values and rules of Royal Families around the globe. Most of the Royalties of Europe either avoid addressing the issue or disapprove of the practice outright.
The parents announce the engagement of a Royal member. Afterward, it gets consented by the parliament of the Netherlands. However, Rutte’s longtime position at home and in Europe as an advocate of LGBTQ rights enables this declaration’s validity.
Dutch Royals
In a letter to the parliament, he mentioned that the cabinet does not see any reason to devoid the royals of their birthright for selecting a same-sex partner for marriage. Moreover, the letter said that this decision applies to all the throne’s heirs and not just Catherina.
Rutte’s party asked him to clarify the government’s attitude towards the decision after a book raised questions about royal succession and same-sex marriage among Royalties. Previously some Royal had abdicated themselves from the title to marry a partner of their choice with parliament’s consent.
Rutte explained that such issues might not be repeated, and succession logistics are pretty complicated. Hence, one should not be worried about abdication before it happens.
E.U. Leaders Against Hungary
Several European leaders, including Rutte, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, signed a joint letter defending Europe’s LGBT community. Despite the letter not mentioning Hungary, it said that unity in all forms is the bedrock of the European Union.
Hungary may face legal challenges at the European Union and may also face shrinkage in funding if it violates democratic norms.
The Stigma Attached To Same-Sex Marriage Among Royalties
For years after years, Royals in different places of the world had to hide their true identity because of stringent laws and usually were outed against their will while most took their secret to the grave.
For instance, the Duchess of Spain, Luisa Isabel Alvarez de Toledo, married a young woman on her deathbed and included her name in the will, cutting off her heirs from the inheritance.
Prince Manvendar Singh Gohil of Rajpipla, India, came out in 2006. He was given death threats, and people on the streets burned his effigies. His mother even tried to disown him just because of his sexual preference.
In 2016 a third cousin of Queen Elizabeth II became the first openly gay member of the British Royal Family. Lord Ivar Mountbatten, 58, later married his partner in the monarchy’s first-ever same-sex marriage.
