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Royal weddings can still be quite kosher

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It would be the ultimate quandary for a "Jewish princess". What would happen if a handsome prince came along and swept her off her feet? Would it be happily ever after as this country's first Jewish queen, with weekly shops at Kosher Kingdom, or would it be a lifetime of broiges at Buckingham Palace?

Last week Commonwealth leaders agreed to begin the process of reform to treat male and female heirs to the throne equally and overturn the ban on them marrying Catholics. But despite discriminating against one faith, according to constitutional expert Professor Vernon Bogdanor, there is nothing in the current law that prevents an heir to the throne finding a Jewish bride or groom

Prince William's marriage took him out of the equation, but rumour has it that the "spare"- Prince Harry - has expressed interest in Israeli model Bar Refaeli. While such a union would require government approval, it would be kosher enough for the Crown, meaning that Our Bar is in with a chance.

However Prof Bogdanor, author of The Monarchy and the Constitution, added a disclaimer. "Heirs to the throne can be Jews or marry Jews, but the sovereign must be in communion with the Church of England, and the coronation is an Anglican religious ceremony."

While British monarchs do not have to be CofE members (George I was a German Lutheran), once crowned they become its Supreme Governor - hardly a job for a nice Jewish boy.

As with Judaism, the rules differ for men and women. When a man becomes king, his wife is crowned queen, and so must also be in communion with the church. However, "It is not clear whether this also applies to the queen's husband, who is not crowned king," said Prof Bogdanor, although he noted that Prince Philip – who grew up in the Greek Orthodox Church – was baptised before Queen Elizabeth II's coronation.

"So a Jewish monarch is unlikely," said the professor. "That would depend on whether the Church of England is disestablished - a political issue. Critics would say that it is anomalous in a multidenominational society."

While we shouldn't expect to be smashing a collectible royal glass under a Buck House chuppah soon, Prof Bogdanor concedes that "it could happen in the long-term."

The JC awaits the announcement in the Social and Personal columns.

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