'Give women same rights to the throne as men'

Moves to give female royals the same rights as males are unveiled today.

Politicians want to scrap the rule barring the eldest daughter of a monarch from inheriting the throne if she has a brother. They say the system is anachronistic and offensive. Ministers are also considering reforms to allow the heir to marry a Catholic, and to marry without permission from the monarch.

The plans are being put forward by Labour peer and former minister Lord Dubs in a new Succession to the Crown Bill. If his proposed legislation comes into force, it could have major implications for Prince William - giving him much more freedom in his choice of spouse. His eldest child would also inherit the throne, whatever their gender.

Lord Dubs said today on Radio 4's Today programme: "We don't believe in sex discrimination, we don't believe in religious discrimination. It is time to bring in some changes. It is ridiculous that the monarch can't marry a Catholic. We can't in this day and age have that sort of discrimination - I'm sure the monarchy doesn't want it."

His Bill will be debated in the House of Lords early in the new year.