Tony Blair’s successor faces an interesting challenge in his first year as Prime Minister. There is a provision in the 1701 Act of Settlement that ensures the ascendency of protestant royals and forbids British Monarchs or their heirs from marrying Catholics. So why does Mr. Brown have to consult with constitutional advisers and repealing this part of the Act of Settlement? It may have to do with the fact that Peter Phillips, the son of Princess Anne and Mark Phillips, the eldest grandson of Queen Elizabeth II and 10th in line to the throne announced his engagement last week. Mr. … Continue reading →