A Bill to make provision to remove discrimination in respect of Royal marriages and succession to the Crown.
The line of succession for the UK monarchy follows the hereditary principle with certain restrictions. The Crown passes to males ahead of females, and the monarch can neither be nor marry a Roman Catholic. Any heir that marries a Catholic is removed from the line of succession.Key areasremoves the religious requirement on the monarch's spouse and the preference for men in the line of succession. It would have no effect on the religion of the monarch, who would still be required to be in communion with the Church of England. repeals the Royal Marriages Act 1772, which places certain restrictions on members of the Royal Family marrying without consent of the monarch.
House of Commons
26 October 2009
This bill aims to remove discrimination in royal marriages and succession. It would repeal the Royal Marriages Act 1772, end the gender bias in the line of succession, and remove the requirement that the monarch’s spouse be Protestant. The monarch’s own religion would still have to be Anglican.
The bill is at the 2nd Reading in the House of Commons. If it passes this stage, it will move to the committee stage and then to further readings before becoming law.
Generated 21 February 2026
This Bill was on the Order Paper 16 October, to resume the adjourned Second Reading from 27 March, but there was not enough time for debate on that day.
This Bill has since been dropped by its sponsor Dr Evan Harris.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
