What is a morganatic marriage?

Senior Moments

Morganatic marriage is a marriage between a person of royal birth and a partner of lower rank, in which the latter has no royal status or title. Jun 08 04, 11:34 PM

RickF

Further to SM's answer, it also precludes any children from inheriting the title. Jun 09 04, 12:05 AM

Baloo55th

A morganatic marriage is a type of marriage which can be contracted in certain countries, usually between persons of unequal social rank (unebenbürtig in German), which prevents the passage of the husband's titles and privileges to the wife and any children born of the marriage. Often, this is a marriage between a male from a royal or reigning house, often a historical German state, and a woman of lesser status (a non-royal or reigning house, or a woman with a low-status profession such as actress). Neither the bride nor any children of the marriage has any claim on the groom's titles, rights, or entailed property. The children are considered legitimate on other counts and the prohibition of bigamy applies. http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Morganatic-marriage Jun 09 04, 5:05 AM