Kate Middleton baby daughter Princess Charlotte is facing a challenge to her potential position as heir to the British monarchy! A challenged law could affect the future of the royal family. In the past, the firstborn son would become the heir to the throne, but British Parliament recently updated that tradition. A law was passed that would make a big change in royal succession. Now the rule simply states that the successor will be the eldest child of any gender. However, Canada is part of the British Commonwealth and it looks like things weren’t done by the book there. According to CBC News, the prime minister jumped on board without seeking approval from the provinces. That presents a problem since he’s essentially agreed to change the constitution without receiving consent. The law is being contested and it could have a definite impact on the royals.
Kate Middleton gave birth to a boy first, which means Prince George is next in line to the throne behind Prince William. The ruling doesn’t affect Prince George’s birthright, but the law still holds significance. Let’s say that Prince William and Kate decide to have another child. Without this reformed law, Prince William and Kate’s next son would become the heir behind Prince George. You may have heard the old adage about the royal family hoping for “an heir and a spare.” If the law is struck down, Princess Charlotte would be skipped over as the spare in favor of her younger brother (in the event that she has one).
Patrick Taillon and Genevieve Motard, two law professors at the University of Laval, are leading the charge to have the change in royal succession thrown out. Quebec’s Attorney General and a monarchist league by the name of the Canadian Royal Heritage Trust are backing them up on it. Taillon claims that they have “nothing against the essence of the reform.” Of course, they probably wouldn’t be challenging the law if they agreed with the nature of it, but it’s still a good idea to make sure this law change is legally binding. Maybe their efforts will set a precedent so that everything goes through the proper channels next time.
What do you think about the news that the challenge to this law could move Princess Charlotte down the succession line? How must Queen Elizabeth, Prince William and Kate Middleton feel about all of this? Let us know what you think in the comments below and don’t forget to check CDL often for the latest updates on the royal family.
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