Doesn't Gordon have enought to worry about?

[Patrick]

"Gordon Brown said today that he was committed to addressing the "anomaly", dating back to the 1701 Act of Settlement, that bans Catholics from marrying into the royal family.

In a departure from the line taken by Tony Blair, who rejected calls to overturn the ban, the prime minister has opened discussions with Buckingham Palace about reforming laws drawn up when Britain was consumed by anti-Catholic sentiment."

Does anyone care?

Apparently so:

"A poll for the BBC today showed 81% of people in favour of the law being changed to allow the heir to the throne to marry a Catholic."

Who on Earth did they ask?

"The Harris bill would also amend the primogeniture rules, which state that the first-born son of the monarch takes precedence in the succession over older sisters.

The BBC poll found 89% of people in favour of women having an equal right to inherit the throne. Asked if the monarchy should continue, 76% said yes, and only 18% were in favour of Britain becoming a republic."

That's more like it!

Only 18% in favour of a Republic! That's a bit disappointing - then again - if they can find a group of people obsessed enough that 81% are mithered about a Royal's religion - then they're bound to be staunchly in favour aren't they!

[everso]

Mar 27, 2009 12:03:00 GMT Patrick said:

"Gordon Brown said today that he was committed to addressing the "anomaly", dating back to the 1701 Act of Settlement, that bans Catholics from marrying into the royal family.

In a departure from the line taken by Tony Blair, who rejected calls to overturn the ban, the prime minister has opened discussions with Buckingham Palace about reforming laws drawn up when Britain was consumed by anti-Catholic sentiment."

Does anyone care?

Apparently so:

"A poll for the BBC today showed 81% of people in favour of the law being changed to allow the heir to the throne to marry a Catholic."

Who on Earth did they ask?

"The Harris bill would also amend the primogeniture rules, which state that the first-born son of the monarch takes precedence in the succession over older sisters.

The BBC poll found 89% of people in favour of women having an equal right to inherit the throne. Asked if the monarchy should continue, 76% said yes, and only 18% were in favour of Britain becoming a republic."

That's more like it!

Only 18% in favour of a Republic! That's a bit disappointing - then again - if they can find a group of people obsessed enough that 81% are mithered about a Royal's religion - then they're bound to be staunchly in favour aren't they!

Apparently, (and I'm quoting the Daily Mail here, which I read whilst eating my porridge this morning) the monarch can marry a Muslim but not a Catholic, so time to redress the situation I think.

However, it does pose a problem (again, according to the DM) in that there are descendants of the Stuarts living 'somewhere in Europe' who might then claim the throne . Also, surely when a Catholic marries a non-Catholic don't they have to agree to bring up any children of that union in the Catholic faith? If the first-born and heir is brought up as a Catholic then that goes against their future position as Head of the Church of England!

Oo-er. Glad I don't have to make these sorts of decisions.

[Patrick]

Mar 27, 2009 12:26:50 GMT everso said:

Apparently, (and I'm quoting the Daily Mail here, which I read whilst eating my porridge this morning) the monarch can marry a Muslim but not a Catholic, so time to redress the situation I think.

However, it does pose a problem (again, according to the DM) in that there are descendants of the Stuarts living 'somewhere in Europe' who might then claim the throne . Also, surely when a Catholic marries a non-Catholic don't they have to agree to bring up any children of that union in the Catholic faith? If the first-born and heir is brought up as a Catholic then that goes against their future position as Head of the Church of England!

Oo-er. Glad I don't have to make these sorts of decisions.

Well, that's a whole kettle of fish isn't it! I can't wait to hear about the mass DNA testing! ;D

Perhaps they should make a new decree that there are no rules! Just for a bit of balance!

[trubble]

that there are descendants of the Stuarts living 'somewhere in Europe' who might then claim the throne

I never thought of that, I wonder is there a legal case, it would be fun to see it fought.

I think that unless any new rules are made to be retrospectively legal then there's no case.

If the first-born and heir is brought up as a Catholic then that goes against their future position as Head of the Church of England!

This is presumably the biggest hurdle. I don't see how it can happen unless the monarch is removed as head of church.

[Patrick]

According to the Independent today - the true King of England is alive and well and a Duke of Bavaria or something (Bloody Germans again! ;D ) If I remember I'll link it tomorrow.

(He's a good friend of the Royals though and won't be pushing for his rightful inheritance)

[Deleted]

i think the royals should only be allowed to marry blood relatives

[bonbonlarue]

It would be a bonus if they married anyone that could speak in sentences...