A Bill to remove any distinction between the sexes in determining the succession to the Crown.
At present, the Crown passes to male heirs ahead of female heirs. The Bill would amend the Act of Settlement 1700 to remove any distinction between the sexes in determining succession to the Crown.
House of Commons
1 May 2012
This Bill would remove any gender-based preference in the line of succession to the Crown. It would amend the Act of Settlement 1700 so the throne passes to the monarch’s eldest child regardless of gender. The change would apply to future successors rather than altering the current line.
The Bill is currently at the second reading in the House of Commons. If it passes, it would move to committee, then to report and third reading, and would also require passage through the House of Lords.
Generated 21 February 2026
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
