Why not mention Mrs Clooney’s French levels in your citizenship article?
George and Amal Clooney recently obtained French citizenship through a unique request
Actor George Clooney and his wife Amal Clooney recently received French citizenship
lev radin/Shutterstock
Reader Question: Your recent article about George Clooney’s citizenship omitted the fact that his wife, Amal, speaks fluent French. Surely this influenced the proceedings, so why did you not mention it?
Our article on George Clooney receiving French citizenship covered the controversy surrounding the Hollywood star’s new nationality.
He was granted French citizenship despite admitting himself that he speaks little French.
Mr Clooney received his citizenship in the same way as other famous faces such as British author Ken Follett, through the étranger émérite pathway.
This allows celebrities who bring prestige and national attention to France via their links with the country to be offered a ‘fast-track citizenship’, potentially expedited for Mr Clooney also due to the fact his primary home is in the south of France.
Receiving citizenship in this way is exceptional and it can only be proposed directly by the foreign affairs minister.
Partner’s language has no influence on citizenship request
This unique citizenship pathway does not make concessions either way in regards to a person’s partner and their skills in the language, and only focuses on the individual’s achievements.
They should speak at least some French, but this rule again only relates to the person being awarded the citizenship themselves, and not any other associated family members.
This is indeed the case for all citizenship requests, which are based on the individual applicant’s background and not that of their spouse, apart from where an individual is claiming citizenship par déclaration by marriage to a French citizen.
As you state, Amal Clooney is a fluent French speaker, and a successful figure in her own right through her work in international law.
Some media report her also having received her citizenship via the same route, though the precise details were not clarified by the French government. Her citizenship was announced at the same time as her husband’s so he did not become French via her being a French citizen.
When a person becomes French, their children under 18 who live with them may also become French citizens.
