Britain's Princess Michael of Kent said there "wouldn't be a
problem" if Prince William were to take a "lovely Muslim girl" as his girlfriend.
But she added: "Legally. Legally, there wouldn't be a problem."
The 59-year-old princess made the remark in an interview with
Canada's Toronto Star while discussing the religious restrictions on royal marriage.
The law currently states that a member of the Royal Family should not marry a Catholic.
Prince Michael had to relinquish his right to the throne when he married the princess, because of her Catholicism.
But she explained: "It's no big deal when you're 20-something in line.
"You'd have to think of Kind Hearts and Coronets for the position to be reached," referring to the film about a young aristocrat who kills a dozen relatives to acquire a dukedom.
Explaining the religious restrictions on royalty, she said: "By
statute, no member of the family may marry or 'have to do' with a Catholic - that means business negotiations, I think.
"It doesn't mention any other religion. If Prince William produced a lovely Muslim girl, there wouldn't be a problem."
The princess said her daughter, Lady Gabriella Windsor, 23, has an Indian boyfriend who "is the best-looking man I've ever seen in my life".
Princess Michael was speaking to the Canadian newspaper to publicise her new book, The Moon and the Serpent, the true story of a royal love triangle in 16th-century France.