Wednesday, May 9, 2012

The Queen's Speech and the succession

Queen Elizabeth II opened Parliament today.  Her speech included the following:

"My Government will continue to work with the fifteen other Commonwealth Realms to take forward reform of the rules governing succession to the Crown."

This statement means several things.  The Order of Succession has not been changed.   The United Kingdom and fifteen other countries will have to promulgate legislation in order to allow for the succession of the first born child, regardless of sex. Other laws, including the Act of Settlement, will also be changed or superseded.   But it will be a time consuming process, depending on each country's electoral process.  In Canada, the law will have to be passed not only by the Parliament, but also approved by all the provincial legislatures.  Not an easy task!

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