Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Edward Leigh (Conservative). It was answered by Nick Clegg (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 15 November 2011 on behalf of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Succession to the Throne

Question: What recent discussions he has had on changes to the law on succession to the throne; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced on 28 October, the 16 Commonwealth realms have agreed in principle that we should modernise the Act of Settlement with regard to the rules of royal succession. That means that if the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were to have a first-born daughter, she would eventually become Queen of our country. In addition, we will remove the barrier to those who marry Catholics retaining their position in the line of succession, thus repealing an explicit and unique discrimination against the Roman Catholic religion.

Secondary information