Call for equality of sexes in royal succession

Alixxx · January 18, 2011, 02:25:08 AM

Quote"With the marriage of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, we have a once in a generation opportunity to change the law. Prince William looks like a very modern prince. If he has a daughter first, it is only right that she become Queen of England." Mr Vaz says he has "quite a bit of support".

This raises an interesting question. According to the Letters Patent issued by George V, only the eldest son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales (the great-grandson of the Sovereign and the third in line to the throne) can be an HRH. All other children born to the son of the POW are styled as the children of a Duke, i.e, Lord and Lady. What would happen if Kate and William had a girl first and the law of succession isn't changed? Would she be Lady X? It seems weird calling her that knowing her father will be King. Do you think the Queen would issue Letters Patent to give the child a royal title? :windsor1:

The only time this has happened before was with the children of the future George V and Queen Mary. Their children, excepting Edward their firstborn, were styled, His/her Highness, NOT HRH at first.

Jenee · January 18, 2011, 02:51:55 AM

Well, this was no surprise.

Regarding your question Alixxx -

How does Princess Beatrice hold the title Princess if she's not the eldest son of the eldest son, etc... I would think that William's kids will be HRH regardless.

But what do I know :laugh:

Scarlet Flowers · January 18, 2011, 04:16:37 AM

Old news but it's still fun to spectulate!

Alixxx · January 18, 2011, 07:05:49 AM

Jen, all grandchildren of the Sovereign in the male line are HRH. All great-grandchildren, however, are styled as the children of a Duke, except for the heir.

QuoteUse of the style His Royal Highness or Her Royal Highness (HRH) and the titular dignity of prince or princess are governed by Letters Patent issued by George V on 30 November 1917 and published in the London Gazette on 11 December 1917. These Letters Patent state that henceforth only the children of the Sovereign, the children of the sons of the Sovereign, and the eldest son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales would "have and at all times hold and enjoy the style, title or attribute of Royal Highness with their titular dignity of Prince or Princess prefixed to their respective Christian names or with their other titles of honour." They further state, "the grandchildren of the sons of any such Sovereign in the direct male line (save only the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales) shall have the style and title enjoyed by the children of Dukes."

wannable · January 18, 2011, 03:51:40 PM

British MPs are about to debate a change to the law to allow any daughter of Prince William and Kate Middleton equal rights to the throne.
36 minutes ago via web

RoyalReporter
Richard Palmer
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The debate on changing royal succession laws is a bit futile though in the absence of agreement between all the realms.
33 minutes ago via web

RoyalReporter
Richard Palmer
___
The whole royal succession debate was started by Gordon Brown's spin doctors to deflect attention and give hacks a story on a trip to Brazil
21 minutes ago via web

RoyalReporter
Richard Palmer

Countess of Highgrove · January 18, 2011, 03:57:41 PM

This sounds very exciting and it is high time it happened but it also sounds very complicated and unlikely to pass.

How amazing for Princess Diana's granddaughter to become Queen of England?

mousie_kins · January 18, 2011, 04:44:03 PM

If they have a daughter first. It may be a boy

Mike · January 18, 2011, 05:24:17 PM

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/jan/15/editorial-monarchy-succession-rights-coalition?INTCMP=SRCH

QuoteOn present trends, William's Queen Catherine may one day have to explain to a mid-21st-century daughter that, whatever mummy and daddy may think on this matter, the state still regards her as incurably second-rate.

In this regard, why is the female sex considered inferior to the male? Comments?

sandy · January 18, 2011, 06:16:17 PM

I hope it's a girl. Women do better as monarchs (for the most part) IMO anyway.

Georgiana · January 18, 2011, 06:17:08 PM

I don't think it is still regarded that males are superior to females. You only have to look at todays royal family to see the Queen and Princess Anne who (In my opinion) are highly regarded by the public in regards to the male members due to their work ethic.

Jenee · January 18, 2011, 07:48:32 PM

Quote from: Alixxx on January 18, 2011, 07:05:49 AM
Jen, all grandchildren of the Sovereign in the male line are HRH. All great-grandchildren, however, are styled as the children of a Duke, except for the heir.

That is ridiculous. Eventually these great-grandchildren of the Sovereign will be the grandchildren of the Sovereign, when the Sovereign changes!

Mike · January 18, 2011, 08:40:01 PM

If Queen Elizabeth had a younger brother, would she still be Monarch?

Lady63 · January 18, 2011, 10:09:56 PM

Imho if the first child of William and Kate is a girl, then she should be the heir to the throne even if a boy is born second, third or last. The Brits have a good opportunity to change a system that should favour no one by mere fact of gender. Personally, I would have gone even a step further and made it, the most capable but hey, one step at a time.

Regards,
Lady63

Scarlet Flowers · January 18, 2011, 10:24:17 PM

No. It would have passed on to him.

Mike · January 19, 2011, 04:11:44 AM

Then to me that suggests the female sex is considered by those in charge as inferior.

Georgiana · January 19, 2011, 06:44:57 AM

Well when Queen Elizabeth came to the throne that attitude may have existed but it is the 21st Century and these beliefs have obviously changed because there wouldn't be a review on this particular issue.

LizzyG · January 19, 2011, 02:19:32 PM

Yes, but who decides who is most capable? That would be a tough call!

wannable · January 19, 2011, 03:53:50 PM

Our @royalreporter is speaking on sky news right now on the issue of women succeeding to the throne!
12 minutes ago via web

Daily_Express

Diandra · January 19, 2011, 06:43:39 PM

In Denmark the law of succession was changed at the birth of the first child of CP Frederik and CP Mary of Denmark.

It was decided that the firstborn succeds boy or girl. :Jen:

cinrit · January 19, 2011, 07:48:56 PM

And in Sweden, the law was changed mid-stream. Crown Princess Victoria became Heir Apparent in 1980 at age 3 ... her brother, Prince Carl Philip, who is a couple of years younger than she and who had been Heir Apparent, became Duke of Varmland.

Cindy

Ben · January 19, 2011, 08:23:55 PM

The Royal family need to get back to reality and conform to a society that generally sees woman and men as equal rather than going with traditional, outdated rules.

Mike · January 20, 2011, 03:20:12 AM

Here's another opinion:

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/cristinaodone/100072518/prince-williams-daughter-a-queen-yes-and-i-hope-she-marries-a-catholic/

Windsor · January 20, 2011, 05:11:54 AM

Why fix something when it is not broken?

sandy · January 20, 2011, 03:22:42 PM

It is anachronistic.

Jenee · January 20, 2011, 05:43:48 PM

Quote from: Windsor on January 20, 2011, 05:11:54 AM
Why fix something when it is not broken?

It is broken :notamused:

In addition to that, it is discriminatory, archaic and sexist.