Lords concludes Succession to the Crown Bill
23 April 2013
The House of Lords yesterday agreed to pass the Succession to the Crown Bill, introducing changes to the system of royal succession.
Lords third reading: Monday 22 April
- Watch the debate on Parliament TV
- Read the Lords Hansard report
- Lords Constitution Committee report: Succession to the Crown Bill
- Lords Library note: Succession to the Crown Bill
Lords members discussed two separate amendments. The first focusing on the proposed change to allow anyone who marries a Roman Catholic to remain in line to the throne, and the second relating to the potential impact on the coronation oath. Both amendments were withdrawn without a vote.
The Succession to the Crown Bill is now awaiting royal assent.
Lords report stage: Wednesday 13 March
Amendments under consideration included several concerned with which royal marriages require the consent of the sovereign, and the particular question of succession to the Duchy of Cornwall as Lords continued its scrutiny of the Succession to the Crown bill during report stage.
The bill now moves to third reading, the final chance to amend any part of the proposed legislation. It will take place on 22 April.
Lords committee stage: Thursday 28 February
Members of the Lords have concluded their line by line scrutiny of the Succession to the Crown Bill.
Amendments suggested addressed the specific case of succession to the Duchy of Cornwall.
The House went on to discuss amendments relating to the removal of disqualification arising from marriage to a Roman Catholic and the issue of which royal marriages require the consent of the sovereign.
The Succession to the Crown Bill now moves to report stage, a chance for further detailed scrutiny. It is scheduled for Wednesday 13 March.
Lords second reading: Thursday 14 February
Members of the Lords have scrutinised the key principles and purpose of the Succession to the Crown Bill during second reading.
The removal of the disqualification arising from marriage to a Roman Catholic contained in the bill was a key point of debate. Members also discussed the bill's impact across the Commonwealth and the fact that any amendments made had the potential to make further negotiations with Commonwealth countries necessary.
The bill now enters committee stage in the House of Lords, the chance for members to examine it line by line. It begins on 28 February.
Summary of the bill
The bill makes three key changes to laws governing who can be next in line to the throne by:
- removing the first born son preference and allowing an older daughter over a younger brother to become a monarch
- allowing anyone who marries a Roman Catholic to remain in line
- limiting the requirement that all descendants of George II must obtain the monarch’s permission to marry to the six people nearest in line to the crown. If the monarch's approval is not given then the married couple and their descendants lose their place in the line of succession.