Shear English - Prince William and Kate Middleton's first child could take the throne regardless of their sex under changes being investigated by the Government. Nick Clegg is making inquiries into changing the rights of succession, which currently favour boys. The Deputy Prime Minister, who is responsible for constitutional reform, is looking into the possibility of removing 'male primogeniture'.
Currently the first-born boy in a family takes precedence, even if he has an elder sister. Mr Clegg said today:'I think most people in this day and age would think it's worth considering whether we change the rules so that baby girl could become the future monarch.
'I think that would be in keeping with the changes that are happening with society as a whole.'
However, Mr Clegg warned the move would not be 'straightforward' because all the Commonwealth countries would have to be consulted. 'My own personal view is that in this day and age the idea that only a man should ascend to the throne I think would strike most people as a little old fashioned,' he added.
'If Prince William and Catherine Middleton were to have a baby daughter as their first child, I think most people would think it is perfectly fair and normal that she would eventually become Queen of our country.
'It is worth looking at, but it is complex and it will require some careful thought with other countries which will be affected as well... 'I think it is worth thinking about, I think it is worth talking about. It is worth looking at what other countries that would be affected also feel on the subject.'
It is believed Mr Clegg has already raised the issue at Privy Council, and is thought to have the Queen's consent if the change is the will of the people.
The 300-year-old law of primogeniture - which says a man must always take precedence over a woman in line to the throne - was designed to prevent the return of the Catholic Stuarts.
Earlier this year, it was reported that the Government was looking at overhauling the ‘discriminatory’ laws governing succession to the throne to avert a constitutional crisis if Prince William’s first child is a girl.
There have been several attempts to change the 1701 Act of Settlement since 1981. All have failed because of a lack of Government support, but the clamour has been growing since William announced his engagement to Kate Middleton in November.
In an interview following the announcement of their engagement, William said of their plans: 'Obviously we want a family so we’ll have to start thinking about that.'
As the law stands, if William and Kate have a girl followed by a boy, their son will become king. But if they have daughters only, the eldest will become queen.
MPs fear that the system is old-fashioned and unfair. Any changes to the constitution would need parallel legislation on all Commonwealth countries, where the Queen is the head of state.
However, the Telegraph said David Cameron is thought to believe the Government's attention should be on dealing with its policies, and with the economic issues facing the country.
It reported that both Australia and Canada were against enacting legislation, agreeing with the Prime Minister's opinion that other issues were more pressing.
English - KOMPAS.com
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