What would happen if the next heir to the British throne was born with a disability, say Downs Syndrom........

Question

..or Cerebral Palsey. When the time came would they be able to rule?

Answer 1

No, if the next heir is "unfit to rule", he will be removed from the line of succession and the next royal will take its place. A monarch is required to carry out royal functions and duties, and if he cannot represent the royal family due to "disabilities" then he must give up his rights to claim the throne and pass it onto the next royal member.

Answer 2

I think it would be the 2nd in line that would rule in that case.

Answer 3

I think that unfortunately the 'Establishment' would cover it up as though the child never exsisted!

I think they are still stuck in the 1900's

Answer 4

I don;t think they would be allowed to, it would be passed on to the next decendant, whether it's a brother, sister or a cousin

Answer 5

He'd be poisoned, strangled, or smothered with a pillow.

Answer 6

i think that they wouldnt let them do it

Answer 7

I would just like to point out that the British monarchy reign but do not rule.  The government do that.  I think it would be fine to have a head of state with a disability.  It would prove we really are an inclusive society. PLUS I feel we've had a hereditary head of state with a s***w loose in the past and we might get one again if Charlie gets on the throne.

Answer 8

The British Monarchy do not rule as it has quite rightly been pointed out, they reign.

If somebody had a disability that they could not do their job right(as in every day work as well) no they could not take the throne, it would possibly go to the next in line with the agreement of the government.

Some of the answers I have seen on this particular subject are insulting to the severely disabled and some of you should be thouroughly ashamed of yourselves

Answer 9

I thought Charlie was a downs.

Answer 10

probably not, because they would never have any real understanding of the role. but possibly in the future if there is better education for children and adults with so called "special needs"

and also for more awareness made about these dissabillities. there would be less discrimination.

all in all, its not likely is it!

Answer 11

No. But I think the Monarchy's days are numbered.

Answer 12

If one is unable to serve, the crown passes to the next in line.   If one comes to the crown before reaching adulthood, a group of "counselors" or people to guide would take over.

Answer 13

It would depend on the disability.  If it were one that left their cognitive functions unaffected, like cerebral palsy, he would rule as normal.  If it were something, such as profound mental retardation, that would make it difficult or impossible for them to function, he would probably officially be monarch while actual power (such as it is, these days) would be exercised by a regent.

Answer 14

I think perhaps they would, otherwise it wouldn't send out a very good message. But they might have a lot of helpers on hand. However, they might be advised to pass up the role to the next in line.

If they were very severely disabled - i.e. could barely do anything for themselves - then they would probably not be allowed to rule, because it would be too stressful for them and not really very useful.

Answer 15

if such a child was to be born then when it was tie for it to assend to the crown, then a regent would be appointed for the duration of the crowns rule, then when the king or queen died then the crown would pass on to the next in line, of which their is not a shortage of people.

Answer 16

In the case of Downs Syndrome, would anyone notice something had changed?

Answer 17

If that were the case, the crown would be passed to the next heir to the throne....would have thought common sense dictated that.

Answer 18

It would be up to Parliament to decide.

The main decision would be whether or not to appoint a "Regency Council" which would either carry out all the duties of the monarch, or carry out most of them and decide which ones to let the monarch do for himself or herself.

It would be a much more serious decision to disinherit the heir and pass the crown to the next heir in line. They would be more likely instead to just give the next heir in line a leading place on the Regency Council.

Answer 19

Downs Syndrome, probably not. Cerebral palsy - depends on the severity. Most people with cerebral palsy have normal intelligence. A person with Downs Syndrome would not understand the significance of the role and although they may officially reign, it would probably be through a Regent for the entirety of their reign.

Answer 20

Unless the heir decided to abdicate, then nothing, except for an act or Parliament,  would be able to prevent him or her from becoming King or Queen in due course.

Answer 21

The throne would probably be passed down to the next in line.

Answer 22

No, they would not be able to ascend the throne in this day and age even though we are much more accepting of any type of disability.  The only way the heir would be allowed to do so would be to have someone of age become Regent.  Even though the British throne is the world's most famous, they do not rule, per se.  It is the Prime Minister and Parliament who make decisions, through her majesty's grace and with her acceptance of such!

Answer 23

Centuries ago, you couldn't find a royal who wasn't disabled but times had changed and they probably would prefer for their future king to be really intelligent and almost perfect. However, they would probably look at the indivisual case and decide if he or she is competent. Say he or she has a very mild LD, CP, or whatever.

Answer 24

How would you tell, bearing in mind the feeble, inbred bunch currently infesting the various palaces!