Gillard backs change in monarchy rules
Source: Agencies |
October 25, 2011, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
AUSTRALIAN Prime Minister Julia Gillard, the nation's first female leader and a staunch republican, yesterday backed moves to end 300 years of discrimination against royal daughters becoming heirs to the British throne.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron wants to end rules dating back to the 17th century that ban heirs to the throne from marrying Roman Catholics and gives sons priority as heir.
Cameron will seek support for the changes from 16 Commonwealth nations, including Australia, which share Queen Elizabeth as their monarch, at a Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Perth, Australia, this week.
Gillard said: "You would expect me, as the first female prime minister of our nation, to say I believe women are equal to men in all regards. I support a change to the act of succession, which would enable the person who succeeds to the throne to be the oldest child, irrespective of gender."
Current succession rules dating back to 1688 and 1700 were designed to lock in a Protestant monarchy and force anyone in line to the throne to relinquish their claim if her or she married a Catholic.
Elizabeth became queen at the age of 25 when her father George VI died in 1952. Now 85, she is the second-longest serving British monarch and is currently on her 16th visit to Australia, where she will open a Commonwealth leaders summit on Friday.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron wants to end rules dating back to the 17th century that ban heirs to the throne from marrying Roman Catholics and gives sons priority as heir.
Cameron will seek support for the changes from 16 Commonwealth nations, including Australia, which share Queen Elizabeth as their monarch, at a Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Perth, Australia, this week.
Gillard said: "You would expect me, as the first female prime minister of our nation, to say I believe women are equal to men in all regards. I support a change to the act of succession, which would enable the person who succeeds to the throne to be the oldest child, irrespective of gender."
Current succession rules dating back to 1688 and 1700 were designed to lock in a Protestant monarchy and force anyone in line to the throne to relinquish their claim if her or she married a Catholic.
Elizabeth became queen at the age of 25 when her father George VI died in 1952. Now 85, she is the second-longest serving British monarch and is currently on her 16th visit to Australia, where she will open a Commonwealth leaders summit on Friday.
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