The Act of Settlement (1701) laid down that only Protestant heirs of Princess Sophia, granddaughter of James I, may succeed to the British throne.
Neither Roman Catholics, nor those who marry a Roman Catholic, nor those born out of wedlock, may remain in the line of succession.
Under current common law the crown is passed on by male primogeniture under which younger sons succeed before their elder sisters.
On 28 October 2011 the Leaders of the Commonwealth Realms agreed to work to change the succession laws so that descendants of the Prince of Wales will be able to marry a Roman Catholic and remain in the line of succession, and the right of male primogeniture will no longer apply.
It means that if the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have a first born daughter she will become Queen and any younger brothers will not take precedence.
Their first born child will become 3rd in line to the throne because the law change is not retrospective....
I wonder why the change re Roman Catholics?
