Clegg hints at changes to current rules of royal succession

THE Deputy Prime Minister said yesterday that the rules of royal succession could appear "a little old-fashioned" to most people and a change to the current arrangements was worth considering.

But Nick Clegg stressed it would be a complex process that needed careful thought, with other Commonwealth countries on board, and that it could not be done overnight.

Clegg was speaking less than two weeks before the wedding of Prince William, second in line to the throne, and Kate Middleton.

He said the Prime Minister and himself were "sympathetic" to change and that it was worth looking again at the rules which dictate that the first-born son and not a daughter inherits the throne. The current arrangement means that if William and Kate were to have a daughter, followed by a son, the son would be in line to become king.

Speaking in Sheffield, Clegg said: "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 and 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."

The Cabinet Office said the government accepts that some aspects of the succession rule "could be discriminatory". It said the government has started discussions with Commonwealth nations that would be directly affected by any change because they recognise the British monarch as their head of state, but declined to release details of the talks.

n Prince Harry has been promoted to captain after completing five years' service as an officer in the army. As a captain he will be on just over 45,000.