Equality and the Monarchy

As royal watchers doubtless already know, David Cameron has proposed to change British royal succession laws to permit the first-born child (regardless of gender) of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (i.e. Will and Kate) to succeed to the throne.  This idea has been floated before, but The Economist explains that it has "always been shelved on the grounds of complexity.  Britain cannot change the rules alone, but must seek support from the 15 other realms of which Elizabeth II is queen."

He has also proposed to repeal the rule that bars those from marrying Roman Catholics from the succession.  This rule would apply only to future marriages, to prevent a "queue of pretenders outside Buckingham Palace."

Tanya Marsh