I applaud this decision of the British Commonwealth, recognizing both the abilities of women to lead, and the inappropriateness of its former anti-Catholic position which dated back to the fall of the House of Stewart hundreds of years ago. Thank you, Mr. Cameron.
"PERTH, Australia—In a historic move that ushers in a new era for Britain's monarchy, rules governing succession to the throne will be changed to allow first-born females to succeed ahead of their male siblings and allow future rulers to marry a Catholic.
British Prime Minister David Cameron secured the agreement with the 16 nations that share Queen Elizabeth as their head of state during a meeting here of Commonwealth nations, a loose association of 54 countries that owes its origins largely to the British Empire.
Mr. Cameron said the changes will overturn hundreds of years of tradition but were needed to ensure the monarchy better reflects modern society.
'Attitudes have changed fundamentally over the centuries," the prime minister told reporters. "The idea that the younger son should become monarch instead of an elder daughter, simply because he is a man, or that a future monarch can marry someone of any faith except a Catholic, this way of thinking is at odds with the modern countries we have all become.'
In effect, Mr. Cameron said if the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were to have a first-born female, that child would be in line for the throne."
