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Royal Succession: Commonwealth Heads Agree To Update 300-Year-Old Rules On Gender, Catholics

Queen Elizabeth Royal Succession Canada Commonweal

First Posted: 10/28/11 07:09 AM ET Updated: 10/28/11 02:41 PM ET

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PERTH, Australia - It's taken 300 years, but the old boys club of royal primogeniture has finally been shelved.

Sixteen Commonwealth "realms" that still maintain the Queen as their head of state agreed Friday to change the rules of succession that have favoured boys over girls since the 17th century.

The rules of primogeniture — which determine the constitutional figurehead of Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia, among others — were belatedly dragged into the 21st century by dint of the massive popularity of Prince William and his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge.

"In future, the order of succession should be determined simply by the order of birth," British Prime Minister David Cameron said in announcing the agreement at a Commonwealth leaders' summit. "And we've agreed to introduce this for all descendents from (Charles) the Prince of Wales."

"Put simply, if the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were to have a little girl, that girl would one day be our queen."

The 16 countries have created an international group to co-ordinate efforts so that all can "implement these measures at the same time," said Cameron.

The rule changes also take out long-standing discrimination against Catholics that date from England's ancient religious schisms.

For heirs to the throne, said Cameron, "it is simply wrong that they should be denied the chance to marry a Catholic if they choose to do so. After all, they're already quite free to marry someone of any other faith."

Prime Minister Stephen Harper did not give a timeline for when legislation will be brought to Parliament for approval, but said he hopes to have it done quickly.

"There was universal agreement, unanimous agreement, that these changes simply recognize the equality of women and Catholics and they're long overdue," Harper told reporters.

The changes, which have been contemplated for years, come as the Queen is about to celebrate 60 years on throne in 2012.

Cameron said her personal secretary took part in Friday's discussions at the Commonwealth summit, indicating royal approval.

COMMONWEALTH HEADS OF GOVERNMENT MEETING
Queen Elizabeth II Attends CHOGM - Day 1
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PERTH, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 28: Queen Elizabeth II delivers a speech during a banquet as part of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) on October 28, 2011 in Perth, Australia. Queen Elizabeth II opened the 54-nation summit today, following a 9-day tour of Australia. The three-day biennial gathering is chaired by Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard and concludes on October 30. (Photo by Ron D'Raine - Pool/Getty Images)
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PERTH, Australia - It's taken 300 years, but the old boys club of royal primogeniture has finally been shelved.Sixteen Commonwealth "realms" that still maintain the Queen as their head of state agreed...
PERTH, Australia - It's taken 300 years, but the old boys club of royal primogeniture has finally been shelved.Sixteen Commonwealth "realms" that still maintain the Queen as their head of state agreed...
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NoOne18
64 Fans
 
10:42 AM on 11/08/2011
IOW, Kate is pregnant (You heard it here first, folks!)
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EmilyWindsorCragg
387 Fans
12:17 AM on 11/03/2011
What does she care? She's had her fun creating appearances and wearing two new outfits each week. She read every speech, always carried her handbag, even at home; and I never heard her say Thank you while she plundered billions into her coffers. Yikes. That's not leadership, not for a minute. I'm sorry to see this and say this; but that's what her reign has been, just appearances.
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kkpeter1831
10 Fans
10:49 AM on 11/02/2011
WHERE IS THE QUEEN'S HUSBAND? HE DOES NOT STAND OUT IN ANY OF THESE PHOTOS. AS FAR AS ROYAL BLOOD GOES, HE TOO IS A GREAT GRANDSON OF QUEEN VICTORIA. MAYBE ALL THAT ROYAL INBREEDING IS WHAT MADE THE ROYAL PRINCESS AND PRINCES
SO UNATTRACTIVE! PRINCESS DIANA WAS SO BEAUTIFUL, IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE SHE HAD ROYAL BLOOD (SHE WOULD NOT HAVE EVEN BEEN IN THE RUNNING, IF NOT FOR THAT DISTANT CONNECTION). WILLIAM REMINDS ME OF HIS FATHER (IF HE WILL JUST ACT MORE LIKE HIS MOTHER, WHO BY THE WAY WAS ONE CLASS ACT ((UNLIKE THAT PERSON HIS DAD REPLACED HIS MOTHER WITH)) CAMILLA LOOKS AS COMMON AS DIRT AND JUST AS INTERESTING).
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butchcliff
The future is unwritten
110 Fans
07:09 AM on 10/29/2011
Grand Ole Lady in character, attitude and graciousness. May God Bless
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
stanschurman
201 Fans
02:15 PM on 10/28/2011
So, rather than abolish the monarchy they're making more people eligible for it. A leap forward to the 18th Century.
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Sumz54
66 Fans
01:01 PM on 11/02/2011
Oh gah come on, the UK isn't *really* a monarchy. The royals are just figureheads and the people love them, I don't honestly see that much wrong with it. They don't make any important decisions, constitutional law is still upheld, and there are still elections for representatives. Not really different than our celebrities in the US... at least the royals are classy. Well except for Prince Charles...
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WayOutHere
20 Fans
02:02 PM on 10/28/2011
End Monarchy? Yes, because nations OTHER than monarchies, are SO much better off financially, more ethical in their dealings, and their people are much happier and more fulfilled than the poor miserable sots living in monarchies.

And politicians wherever they are in power, aren't looking to line their pockets and feed as greedily as possible at the public trough either.
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Felix99
Born to be mild!!!!
322 Fans
03:49 PM on 10/28/2011
So, name some of these countries that are so much better off than a monarchy???

As for greedy politicians, the US is the epitome of greed, and yet they don't seem to be a monarchy!!!
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feuille derable
37 Fans
05:58 PM on 10/28/2011
Actually, end the monarchy because we care Canadian. The British queen is not. End of discussion. Long live our republic.
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polzini
11 Fans
12:55 PM on 10/28/2011
If the royal family really wants to be relevant, then here's some real advice: throw away away your fancy garments, your gaudy jewels, your drafty castles, and your hollow titles.

Then never let me hear of you again, unless you're my neighbor.
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bogey1
453 Fans
01:11 PM on 10/28/2011
and let them pay taxes on their ill gotten booty

wow, the old had is allowing women in succession?

welcome to the 20th (no typo) century
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Craig Bovia
Vermont, 1791, women can vote, no slavery allowed
954 Fans
12:55 PM on 10/28/2011
Welcome to the 21st Century. More Women Leaders. Less Men Fighting.
Do you think the Catholic Church will ever catch up?
Doubtful.
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BlackRabbit
144 Fans
12:08 PM on 10/28/2011
Best to do it before Kate drops a calf.
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tbabalis
8 Fans
10:42 AM on 10/28/2011
OFF WITH THEIR HEADS.......monarchies are undemocratic and obselete....you shouldn't come to power just because you were born....you should EARN and WORK HARD for that leadership.
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feuille derable
37 Fans
12:12 PM on 10/28/2011
Our republic is coming!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Craig Bovia
Vermont, 1791, women can vote, no slavery allowed
954 Fans
12:55 PM on 10/28/2011
Get a Grip.
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plargo
11 Fans
10:27 AM on 10/28/2011
A great leap forward in stupid.

Titles are easily unconstitutional and have no place in today's society.

Monarchies are for selling souvenir dinner plates and official marmalades and keeping old ladies happy with the gossip.

Monarchies have no place whatsoever in the running of nations.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
dimitrius
Unchecked technology will bring an end to humanity
42 Fans
10:22 AM on 10/28/2011
WHY ARE WE LISTENING TO WHAT SHE SAYS!

Why is the author of this article such a spineless coward!?

Last time I checked we don't live in a feudal system, with lords, and kings, and queens.....Oh wait yes we still do, and we still praise them for their RICHNESS and MORALS!!

The biggest lie of our time is this idea that we no longer live in a world with kings and queens. The royal family is the biggest private land owner on this planet BY FAR, the Dutch royal family owns majority in Royal Dutch Shell. But they are all powerless......riiight

The German family of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (House of Windsor) bloodline goes back centuries and is responsible for some the most heinous atrocities ever. But lets just PRETEND that they are fine human beings.
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CarlyQ
Without followers, evil cannot spread.
554 Fans
11:28 AM on 10/28/2011
It's not ethical to judge them based on the actions of their ancestors.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Craig Bovia
Vermont, 1791, women can vote, no slavery allowed
954 Fans
12:57 PM on 10/28/2011
I judge the catholic church based on what it has down in the past. Atrocities by the bushel. Right, little Boy?
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polzini
11 Fans
12:59 PM on 10/28/2011
Whatever power they have, they have inherited it through that royal lineage, so yes - it is ethical to judge them accordingly.
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Brad North
14 Fans
10:22 AM on 10/28/2011
Royal succession is nepotism. This is always bad in any organization other than a family-owned business. Off with their figureheads.
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Whistlejackett
Niki Ashton for NDP
616 Fans
 
10:20 AM on 10/28/2011
Well that picture says it all, just a spot on a rug. In the big picture, she has become a thumbnail.
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MissingTheExpos
7 Fans
10:09 AM on 10/28/2011
Cue the monarchists to begin their chest thumping ways and to deem the monarchy fit for the 21st Century. Meanwhile those who are tired of hearing about a family whose only accomplishment in life was being born into the right circumstances stare in wide wonderment at the public's fascination with the royals.
Oh for Canadians to grab a pair and collectively boot these people from our lives. The English may have been one (ONE) of the founding peoples of Canada but that doesn't mean we all need to adhere to 135 year-old ideals. Canadians come from all cultures and to kowtow to a king or queen should now be considered so foreign.
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