Meghan to sit passport test
She’s keen to commit fully to life in UK ... but hasn’t decided if she’ll have dual nationality
‘They represent the future’
MEGHAN Markle will apply to become a British citizen after she marries Prince Harry, Kensington Palace revealed last night.
The American actress, 36, will have to sit t a ‘Life in the UK’ test to get a passport – which could include questions about her r grandmother-in-law, the Queen.
She has not yet decided whether to give up p her US passport – and could become the most t senior member of the Royal Family ever to hold d dual nationality.
But a royal spokesman made clear yesterday that she was determined to commit fully to life in Britain. Miss Markle will begin her royal duties with Harry, 33, as early as Friday.
Yesterday, 24 hours after the couple announced their engagement, Kensington Palace confirmed she will seek British citizenship. First, though, she will need to apply for a family visa, which anyone from outside the EU needs to live with a spouse or fiance for more than six months.
That would cost £1,464, or £1,583 if the couple use a fast-track service. It is understood the fee will not be waived for Miss Markle. A decision is usually made within 12 weeks.
Most non-EU citizens must prove their knowledge of the English language to get this visa, but because she is a US national this will be waived.
Miss Markle, who divorced US producer Trevor Engelson in 2013, will have to provide proof her former marriage has indeed ended, and that she plans to wed within six months of arriving in the UK.
After she has married Harry she will then be required to seek indefinite leave to remain in the UK. And after three years she can apply for a British passport – a process that costs £1,282 – and would be required to sit the £50 citizenship test.
The 45-minute exam features 24 multiple choice questions about British traditions and history. Past questions have included the height of the London Eye (443ft) and the approximate age of Big Ben’s clock tower (around 150 years).
As well as passing the test – for which she must score at least 75 per cent – she must also be ‘of good character’ and not have committed any recent or serious crimes to be awarded citizenship.
She will also have to make an oath of allegiance promising to ‘respect the rights, freedoms and laws of the UK’.
A Kensington Palace spokesman said: ‘Miss Markle will be compliant with all immigration requirements at all times and has, of course, taken advice on that throughout this process. I can also say that she intends to become a UK citizen and will go through the process of that, which can take a number of years.
‘She will retain US citizenship throughout the process.’ He added that it had not yet been decided whether she would retain dual nationality.
Micha-Rose Emmett, of legal services firm CS Global Partners, said: ‘Interestingly, both Prince Harry and Meghan Markle would have the opportunity to become dual citizens of the UK and the US. As a royal couple breaking new territory, they represent the future – citizens of the world and the most modern global couple in the British monarchy’s history.’
Kensington Palace also confirmed Miss Markle will be spending some time out of the UK in the next few months, visiting family and friends before she settles permanently with Harry at Nottingham Cottage, his home in the grounds of the royal residence.
Miss Markle’s belongings are in the process of being shipped from the US. One of her two beloved rescue dogs, a beagle called Guy, has already joined her and Harry at their cottage, but due to unspecified reasons she has had to leave her other adopted dog with close friends in Canada. A spokesman
also confirmed that she would be married under her chosen name Meghan – she was born Rachel Meghan.
An official engagement portrait will be taken of the couple and released around Christmas.
The palace did not rule out the possibility that Meghan would join the Royal Family for Christmas at Windsor.
An aide confirmed that the newest addition to the Royal Family has already grown close to Harry’s beloved nephew and niece – Prince George, four, and Princess Charlotte, two – who are likely to be a page boy and bridesmaid at the wedding.
Meanwhile the Duchess of Cornwall yesterday described Miss Markle as ‘a star’ and said she was ‘ absolutely thrilled’ about the engagement.
During a visit to Stoke, she said: ‘It’s brilliant… America’s loss is our gain! We are all absolutely delighted. As you can see, they are so happy. In a climate where we are surrounded by a lot of bad news, it’s a real joy to have some good news for once.’
Kensington Palace said Harry and Miss Markle were ‘extremely grateful for the warm public response’ to their engagement, adding: ‘In a happy moment in their lives, it means a great deal to them that so many people throughout the UK, the Commonwealth and around the world are celebrating with them.’
‘America’s loss is our gain’