A Royal Dispute

Gordon Brown challenges an “outdated” Act that gives male heirs priority in the line of succession to British throne.

Will Gordon Brown risk a row with Buckingham Palace? Speaking in the House of Commons, Brown termed the Royal Family’s Succession Act “outdated” and reportedly told MPs that most people now recognised the need for a change. The Act, which has stood since the 18th century, gives male heirs priority in the line of succession and forbids members of the royal family from marrying Roman Catholics. Which means that if Queen Elizabeth II had a brother, she wouldn’t have been monarch. Brown has been in talks with Buckingham Palace and has gone so far as to say that the change could be brought about by all members of the Commonwealth. The royal family is said to be open to the proposal but the British media speculates this may be timed to divert attention away from Brown’s plunging popularity.

Buckingham PalaceGordon BrownPrince Andrew