New UK Succession Law Faces Hurdles

The new UK law changing the gender rule for royal succession was introduced into the House of Commons for fast-tracking through both Houses on 13 December 2012.  The Lords Constitution Committee cautions against speedy passage of the legislation saying that the issues raised require detailed consideration because of their complexity and the possibility of unintended consequences as a number of ancient laws will need to be amended, including one that was originally drafted in Norman French.  However, the contentious issues relate to the provisions that enable the monarch to marry a Catholic rather than those that change the order of succession giving female and male children equal rights to the throne regardless of birth order. The discriminatory elements of the British succession to be removed under the new law are: a) male children inheriting the the throne ahead of any female siblings; b) preventing the monarch or direct heir from marrying a Catholic and c) the requirement for all descendants of George II to obtain the monarch’s permission to marry (now applying to several hundred people; this will be replaced with consent required for only the first six in line to the throne).  Concurrent legislative action in the 15 realms is being coordinated by New Zealand.