This is why Meghan Markle and Prince Harry won't have custody of their children

Wait, WHAT?

(Image credit: Rex)

Wait, WHAT?

Since tying the knot in the most touching (and star-studded) ceremony ever, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been crossing a lot of relationship milestones.

They got their first house, then their second house, met the in-laws and have just embarked on their first official tour as Duke and Duchess of Sussex, preparing to set off for Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga in the coming months.

But after the Duke and Duchess come back from their tour, what's next? Well, children.

The royal couple released a statement just this week announcing that they were expecting a baby in Spring 2019, with Harry even mentioning in a speech on the Australian leg of their tour, that they couldn't wait to meet the girl or boy.

(Image credit: Getty)

So it won't be too long before we hear the pitter patter of Sussex feet, but according to reports this week, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex won't actually have full custody of their children.

Yes, really.

According to reports, the Royal Family has a strange custody tradition, with Queen Elizabeth actually having full legal custody of some of the minor royals.

'The sovereign has legal custody of the minor grandchildren,' royal expert Marlene Koenig explained.

'This goes back to King George I, and the law’s never been changed. He did it because he had a very poor relationship with his son, the future King George II, so they had this law passed that meant the King was the guardian of his grandchildren.'

So, according to this 300-year-old law, Meghan and Harry won't actually have legal custody of their children.

Hmm. Well, luckily we've got until Spring to figure this out.

Jenny Proudfoot
Features Editor

Jenny Proudfoot is an award-winning journalist, specialising in lifestyle, culture, entertainment, international development and politics. She has worked at Marie Claire UK for seven years, rising from intern to Features Editor and is now the most published Marie Claire writer of all time. She was made a 30 under 30 award-winner last year and named a rising star in journalism by the Professional Publishers Association.