Overview

This bill aims to remove discrimination based on gender and religion in the rules governing Royal marriages and succession to the British Crown. It updates outdated laws to ensure a more equitable system.

Description

The bill makes several key changes:

• Succession to the Crown: Gender will no longer be a factor in determining the line of succession, ensuring that female heirs are treated equally to male heirs. This is subject to the Act of Settlement 1700.
• Roman Catholic Consorts: The bill removes clauses in several historical Acts (Bill of Rights 1688, Act of Settlement 1700, Acts of Union 1706 and 1707) that barred a monarch from marrying a Roman Catholic.
• Royal Marriages: The Royal Marriages Act 1772, which regulated royal marriages, is repealed.
• Commencement: The Act will come into force on a date set by the Secretary of State, after consultation with Commonwealth governments. It will not affect the succession before this date, but will affect the order of succession after the death of the current monarch.

Government Spending

The bill is not expected to significantly impact government spending. The primary cost will likely be associated with the necessary legal and administrative changes to implement the new rules.

Groups Affected

• Royal Family: The bill directly affects the rules of succession, impacting the order of inheritance to the throne.
• Potential future monarchs: The bill impacts individuals eligible to be monarch as it removes gender and religious barriers.
• Commonwealth Countries: The bill requires consultation with their governments prior to enactment.
• Historians and legal scholars: The bill will result in changes to the historical and legal interpretation of royal succession.

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