It is interesting to note that when this Catholic moves to the Protestant side of the faith, RC hierarchy display contempt to her decision and calling into question why she would do such a thing for the 11th in-line to the throne but nothing for Royals who went Catholic for their spouses.

Brian Nelson, Kingston/Montreal, Canada

This is so sad, but it could be understandable if Mr Philip's was 2 or 3rd in line ( don't forget that Prince Andrew now has a son!) So it shows that this person's faith means little to her. It would be so refreshing if she said that wouldn't renounce her faith; but such is the lure of this world!

Fr J McCallion M.Phil, Dungannon, N I

It seems sad to me that this young woman felt it necessary to renounce her Roman Catholic Faith so that her future husband could retain his line of succession. This act should reflect all the subjects of Great Britain and allow the Royals in line to marry however they wish.

Caroline, Newry, Northern Ireland

This is much ado about nothing!

Alex, New York City, USA

I agree with your correspondent who indicated that this couple appear to be overly concerned when his place in the succession is 11. What are they expecting: the Black Death ? The Act of Settlement is long overdue for abolition, but only if accompanied by disestablishment of the Church of England.

david, Ligneyrac, France

I think the most ridiculous aspect are the catholics complaining.
I went to a church school, went to church ,baptised, communion, etc. Do you know why? Because my parents wanted it. I didn't believe in god then and I don't know. Sounds to me like she doesn't care about something she never believed.

pete, york, uk

I am RC. Whilst sex before marriage is frowned upon in the catholic Church, it is certainly not 'banned'. You cannot stop being Catholic or be excommunicated for it. Catholicism is a way of life. After renunciation, one may still remain Catholic in one's way of living. Do not cast stones...

SA Joseph, Wolverhampton,

"What does it profit a man if he gains the world but loses his soul?"

Indeed, but "Paris is worth a Mass" trumps it!

Charles, Charlottesville,

The 1701 Act of Settlement is a law for foreign policy. British had no problem to have like king George I of Hannover, a dinasty coming from the Holy Empire. British dreamt to become the new emperors of Holy Empire and for this reason they were against Rome. Anyway, Brits never ruled Europe.

pinuccia, rome, italy

GB is ready to equipare Islamic law to British law, but not to abolish the 1701 Act of Settlement. Catholicism is again the great enemy: poor England!

antonietta, rome, italy

We are informed by the NewChurch set that all this is now irrelevant. I think it would be hard to convince the saints that died in defence of Catholicism in Britain of that. However, it does go to prove that if you scratch an Anglican hard enough, they will still call us "The Roman Mission".

Brent Egan, Sydney, AUSTRALIA

I do not understand why some people change churches. Does it matter which church one stays at at home from?

Eamonn, Deal, UK

"Can anyone remember the last non-catholic pope?"

Henry VIII.

"It works both ways."

Surrrre it does.

M O'Brien, Dayton OH, USA

This article states that it is unclear if Autumn was a practising Catholic, but it later provides clear evidence that this was not so: she cohabits with her boyfriend before marriage! This is not the lifestyle choice of a prayerful Catholic. My conclusion: never was a Catholic.

Mark, Cardiff,

It is obvious that Autumn has alteady not been living the life of a commited Cathilic. She has already given up her Faiih. Let us pray for her return. Evidently being thirteenth in line to the throne is important to both of these people. How sad!

E Forshaw, Wildwood, USA

Can anyone remember the last non-catholic pope? It works both ways.

David Masu, Zürich,

How sad she has given up her Catholic faith, throwing it off like a jacket thrown over a chair. I'm sorry that she thinks so little of her faith that she discards it like she has done.

Therese, Preston, England

"What profit a man to gain the whole world, yet lose his soul." Who said that? It is a pity she was forced to make this choice. It was more a pity that she gave up the faith for which so many have died. What a witness she could have been.

James, Washington, USA

Funny how they claim they want to be 'ordinary' until it comes to losing their place in some ridiculous royal line of succession. Shameful.

SUSAN WELLS, CHIPPING CAMPDEN, UK

Isn't it funny? A King invents his own church so that he can marry whoever he likes. Then that same church stops future kings from marrying whoever *they* like! Is there a Christian version of Karma?

Michael, Melbourne,

Its absolutely ridiculous that Religion still trys to change peoples views and choices for its own gain! While a majority of the people with faith don't even follow god's or jesus's words. And MP's have too much freedom to use their faith on debates. UK was Prodestant accept it"

Joseph Gibson, Stevenston, UK

"The couple live together in a cottage in Gatcombe Park..." It would appear Miss Kelly is not a practicing catholic.

chris, chicago, United States

Why on earth was it necessary to go through this charade?
This guy is 11th in line to the throne - 11th! The only way he could "succeed" is if he did a "Crown Prince Dipendra of Nepal" on the 10 successors ahead of him!

Autumn will rue the day she met the Royals - & became totally depersonalized!

shella, vancouver, canada

I would like to wish them a happy wedding. It was entirely her decision, so good for her. As for commtted Atheists, where do they stand in all this? they sit, so do not stand at all!. As for believing in the Supernatural. Wrong they believe in the Divine not a human with special powers.

Steven, Buckhurst Hill,

I admire both the monarchy and the Catholic Church. However, given the standards of modern egalitarianism, by what logic can the monarchy can be attacked as "outdated" and "bigoted" while the Church, with its all-male priesthood, avoids such criticisms? At least atheist republicans are consistent.

Theodore Harvey, Charlotte, NC, USA

By faith one is justified before God and this lady has retained her faith but changed her religion.

Many don't recognise there's a huge difference between faith, God made, and religion, man made.

Faith can make religion but religion cannot make faith.

Nathan, Inverness, UK

"What does it profit a man if he gains the world but loses his soul?"

Andrew, Fulham

Andrew Brierley, Palm Beach, USA

Where do committed athiests stand in all of this?

Esther, London,

"Despite this, the Royal Family have appeared to welcome their future member into the fold."
Despite what exactly; the dreadful curse of Catholicism?
The monarchy is an outdated institution propped up by this appalling bigoted nonsense.

Denis, Colchester,

Should anyone who believes in the supernatural have a claim to be Head of State?

Neil, Gloucestershire, England

A double scandal- firstly, that this shameful law still exists and secondly that its requirements were complied with. Sanctification of one's soul should surely come ahead of the remote prospects of Royal succession.

Chris Gillibrand, Brussels, Belgium

Perhaps Autumn & Peter decided that they wanted to share a common church for their children. The Dean of Windsor would have pointed out the many similarities between the RC and the Anglican church. Moreover, it would be wrong to say that she renounced her faith. She is still a Christian.

Marlene , Alexandria, VA, US

this outdated and bigoted law will never be changed if people are willing to cop-out of challenging it. it's a shame ms kelly didn't make a stand against discrimination.

Nicole, London,

She obviously isn't a practicing Catholic if they are living together. Too bad she couldn't have had the courage to stand up to such an outdated law.

Susan, Nicholasville, U.S.

Would it have satisfied the requirements of the Act if she had simply "abandoned" religion altogether?

alan, germany,