Poll backs royal succession rule changes

Almost two thirds of Britons would like to scrap the existing law giving preference to male heirs, a survey has revealed.

The Sunday Express poll found 60% of people favoured a change to the current system, which would allow Prince William and Kate Middleton's first child to succeed to the throne regardless of gender.

According to the newspaper's poll of 2,010 adults, only 18% favoured continuing the current system where male heirs take precedence.

Both Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg have signalled their support in principle for a change to the existing rules, but recognised the process required discussion with other Commonwealth leaders.

A Cabinet Office spokesman said: "The Government agrees that the current law is discriminatory, but changing the law is a complicated process. It needs to be done in partnership with other realms of the Commonwealth where the Queen is head of state. Those talks have begun, but it's not going to be a quick process."