New-York tribune., 1900-12-30
CHILDREN OF ROYALTY.
MANY OF THEM DO NOT INHERIT ROYAL
RANK - MARRIAGES NOT Sane
TONED BY THE CROWN.

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Some OF the London illustrated papers recently
published a photograph entitled -Four Genera
tons" representing the Duke Of Cambridge; his
son. Admiral Fitzgeorge; the latter's daughter,
MIS- Archie" Hamilton. and Mrs Hamitons
little boy This picture has aroused good deal
OF curiosity in this country People who are
aware that the Duke Of Cambridge. a grandson
Of King George IL, is a prince Of the blood are
unable TO understand why his eldest son. Ad-
miral Fitzgeorge, should not share his fathers
royal rank. the more il is well known that
English Law makes provision for morganatic
marriage
Admiral FitzgeorEe and his brothers and sis
ter are the issue Of a marriage contracted 10y
the Duke OF Cambridge which. while valid in
the eyes Of the church, is to such extent ille-
gal that were the Old Duke 10 die intestate his
children would have no claim on his fortune.
which would pass to his surviving sister. the
Grand Duchess Of Mecllenburg- -Strelitz and TO
the children Of his other sister. the late Duchess
OF Teck. This condition Of affairs is due TO the
fact that the marriage Of the Duke Of Cam
bridge. while in garrison al Dublin away back
n the forties. with young actress % the name
OF Fairbrother failed TO receive the sanction Of
the Crown, without which no union contracted
by any member Of the reigning house Of Eng
land is regarded as legal Until the end Of the
last century princes and priucesses of the royal
family were st liberty marry whom they
pleased. II may be remembered that when Sir
IadKarc Walpoe's ulegitmate daughter Maria
married King George is son. William, Duke OF
Gloucester, not only was there no objection Of
fered 10 the match but she was considered
invested through the union with the same royal
status Is her husband her three children rank
ing as princes and princesses of the blood. When
q few years later the Duke Of Gloucesters
brother. Henry, Duke Of Cumberland led u the
altar a widow Of the name OF Horton the Eng
Iish Government came 10 the conclusion, IN view
OF the fact that these princes Were in the line o.
succession 10 the throne. that some means
should be adopted 10 prevent their conferring
their royal status upon any woman who hap
pened 40 strike their fancy. Therefore, what is
known as the Royal Marriage Act was passed.
according to the terms Of which all marriages
contracted 10y members of the royal family with
out the previous consent Of the sovereign in
Council are Illegal.
THE NEED FOR THE LAW.
The necessity for this act became apparent in
tie early part Of the present reign, when the
Queen was subjected TO no end OF annoyance by
the rreteusions Of Sir Augustus Frederick Este
10 be considered a. heir apparent 10 the throne
because II rs being the son OF Her Majesty's
uncle the royal Duke of sussex 10y has mar
ria.e with Lady Augusta Murray. daughter 81
the Earl 4 Iusumore Had IL not been for the
act his claims would have been justified But
the existence Of this law placed Sir Augustus IN
iaenticany the same position as Admiral Fitz-
george and his brothers.
The Queen has been blamed frequently for re-
fus3ug To give her sanction TO this marriage of
ber cousin the Duke Of Cambridge. But those
who have been disposed 10 ascrbe the sover-
eign's conduct in the affair 10 mere personal
sentiment apparently forget that II she had
given her royal consent in Council to the union
she would not only have converted the actress
wife OF her cousin George into royal duchess
and the offspring OF the marriage into fun
nedged members OF the reigning house, but
would likewise have placed Admiral Fitzgeorge,
with his brothers and sisters. in line OF success