Move afoot to change rules on succession to throne

THE first child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge could benefit from planned changes to the rules on succession, even if he or she is born before the law is altered.

Prime Minister David Cameron has written to his opposite numbers in the 15 other Commonwealth countries that have the Queen as their monarch to sound out their views on modernising rules, which date back to the 17th and 18th centuries.

Mr Cameron wants to end the ban on spouses of Roman Catholics ascending to the throne and to scrap the rule which says that male children take precedence over their sisters in the order of succession.

Any change is expected to require the agreement of all 16 Commonwealth “realms”. Mr Cameron is to discuss his proposals at the Commonwealth Heads of Government summit in Australia, later this month.

Downing Street said the changes would be drafted in such a way that any children of Prince William and his wife Catherine are included.

It is understood legislation will refer to the descendants of the current Prince of Wales, meaning William’s first child will follow him in the line of succession, whether a girl or a boy.

Practising Catholics would, however, remain banned from taking the throne, as the monarch is also head of the Church of England and must be in communion with that church.