Male preference primogeniture and British throne?

Question

In 1625 King James (of the bible) died. The oldest daughter, Elizabeth, was passed over for Charles I. Charles I was executed and for a few years there was no monarchy. Two generations later the line died out and the government went back to the daughter of Elizabeth (Sophia) and declared that all future monarch would be from her line. Sophia died a few months early so it went to her first son, George.

Answer 1

I think we should go for all out Salic law!

Nah, not really, I think it makes little difference now...

The monarch had no constitutional powers, they haven't stopped a law passing through Parliament for over 100 years, and they wouldn't be able to now.

If you look, the duties of a monarch are exactly the same as their brother or sister, and they recieve the same benefits as their close relatives (minus some of the titles and styles).

I, personally, wouldn't be bothered if my sister became queen over me.

On the other hand, I think tradition is a good thing! If the monarch had more power, then it'd be a different thing entirely.

Answer number 1 is wrong, the line of succession has been dictated since 1701. It is male-preference primogeniture.

Answer 2

I remember hearing not long after the death of Princess Diana that the order of succession had been changed to gender-neutral primogeniture, but I've heard nothing about it since.  If what I heard, and what Eric just said, is correct, then isn't Princess Anne next in line after Prince Charles and his sons?

Answer 3

Paco, Victoria, Princess Royal, was "passed over" by the birth of her brother who became Edward VII in 1901.

I hope that the debate doesn't come up. I believe that the point of a traditional institution such as a monarchy is to prefer tradition as far as possible.

Answer 4

Now is as good as a time as any especially since this matter has been brought up recently. For a long time Japan had no male heirs born into their royal family for over 30 years. Tradition since the 18th century has made it clear that the Japanese throne can only be inherited by a male. There were talks of making changes to allow women to inherit so that the crown prince's daughter will one day become empress. The world is changing and it is not uncommon to have a woman in a leadership position (though most modern monarchies are constitutional based and the monarch lacks real power only serving as a figure head.) The monarch of the Netherlands is a woman. The Philippines had a female president. I think it is time to break traditions and have the British monarchy make changes to their succession laws. For crying out loud it's the 21st century!

Answer 5

Charles may start the process;he has been said to be interested in the monarchy being more open to other religions,so it's possible for him to change the primogeniture rules.William may change it before he has children,but then,the Windsors are a very slow group to change.If William has only girls,there will be a queen on the throne anyway.But I do hope that one of these men makes changes.Perhaps some one can ask Charles and William about this? It will give them a chance to seriously consider these needed changes.

Answer 6

What happened in 1625?

Answer 7

I'm pretty sure the Brits already changed the law back in the 80's that the monarchy would go to the first born regardless of gender.

Answer 8

Britain has now rescinded the law of Male preference primogeniture.