Commonwealth formally backs equal succession rights for royal girls
Britain has received formal consent from the other Commonwealth realms for new laws ending male precedence in the line of succession to the throne - just in time for this week's news that Prince William's wife is pregnant.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg on Tuesday announced the "wonderful coincidence" that final consent had been received the same day it was announced that William's wife Kate is expecting their first child. Britain's monarch is also the head of state in 15 other countries, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Jamaica.
The laws ending male primogeniture would mean if the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's baby is a girl, she could not be overtaken in the line to the throne by any future younger brothers.
The baby will be third in line, behind Prince Charles and William, his eldest child.
The measures were agreed in principle by prime ministers of the 16 countries at a Commonwealth summit in Perth, Australia, in October 2011 and given the formal nod on Monday.
The new laws will apply to any descendants of Charles born from then onwards.
"The legislation is now a step closer as the governments of the realms have confirmed that they will be able to take the necessary measures in their own countries before the UK legislation comes into effect - a crucial step following the Perth agreement," the Cabinet Office said.
