In 1998, with the approval of Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s House of Lords agreed to end 1,000 years of male preference by giving a monarch’s first-born daughter the same claim to the throne as any first-born son.
In a monumental shift in the British monarchy, the House of Lords, with the approval of Queen Elizabeth II, voted in 1998 to abolish the longstanding tradition of male preference in the line of succession. This pivotal decision marked the end of a millennium of entrenched gender bias, whereby the firstborn son would inherit the throne over his elder sister, regardless of birth order.
For centuries, the male-preference primogeniture rule dictated that even if a daughter was born first, her claim to the throne would be superseded by any younger brothers. This practice was seen as a reflection of historical societal norms that prioritized male lineage, impacting the roles and rights of women within the monarchy and British society at large.
The ruling was part of a broader movement toward gender equality, signaling a commitment to modernize the monarchy's image in light of contemporary values. It emphasized the importance of recognizing the capabilities and rights of women, aligning with the evolving perspectives on gender roles across the nation.
This policy change was also rooted in the recognition of the changing dynamics of British society, where women increasingly occupy positions of power and influence, both within and outside the royal family. Under the new agreement, the firstborn child, regardless of gender, now stands equal in the line of succession—a historic advancement with profound implications for the royal family.
The reform was warmly received by advocates for gender equality, who heralded it as a significant leap toward dismantling patriarchal structures. As a result, from that moment on, the British royal line was reshaped, setting a new precedent that could allow future generations of daughters to ascend the throne as rightful heirs, provided they are born first.