On October 8 2011, it was announced that the Sovereign Grant Bill would be passed into law. It needs only the royal assent of Queen Elizabeth II, but Parliament has already given its approval. A rushed reading through the House of Lords meant that both readings and committee evaluation occurred in a single day, on October 3. The modernising provisions will overturn 250 years of legislation, which meant that male children would always gain precedence over their elder sisters in the line of succession.
If the first child of Prince William and Kate Middleton is a girl, she will inherit the Duchy of Cornwall.
The Sovereign Grant Bill Streamlines Finances for the British Royal Family
There are sixteen clauses of the Sovereign Grant Bill. It is aimed at simplifying the process by which the British royal family receives and spends its money. The Bill will replace four separate provisions, covering rigid aspects of spending, with a streamlined process allowing the royal household to determine where the budget is best allocated. It is the biggest shake up of the monarch's finances in 250 years.
In 1760, George III surrendered all of the crown's revenue to Parliament, in return for a set allowance. The Queen and her family have received this via four grants, coming from three different governmental departments. Each budget allocation came with strings attached, requiring it to be spent on transport, communications and information, the upkeep of the palaces or expenses incurred in their State or Commonwealth duties.
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon, speaking in the House of Lords, said, "There is no permitted crossover between those pots of money. Their hypothecated nature has prevented a surplus in the travel grant being put towards the urgent upkeep of a particular royal palace, for example. The Bill before us today will put an end to this rigidity, giving the Royal Family the flexibility that they have always wanted, and it is extremely welcome."
Parliament passed the Bill and it is highly unlikely that Queen Elizabeth II will not give it her assent too. The House of Lords debate can be viewed on BBC's Democracy Live.
The Duchy of Cornwall Clause Overturns Royal History in Equality for Women
Clause 9 of the Sovereign Grant Bill covers the provision for the Duchy of Cornwall. Historically, Cornwall is not part of England, but the royal family acts as its major landowner. In practice, English laws tend to apply to this Duchy too, though only with the consent of the Duke of Cornwall.
Before the Bill could be read in the House of Lords, the Treasury Minister Lord Sassoon had to read out a statement from Prince Charles, who is the current holder of the title. He agreed 'to place his prerogative and interest, so far as they are affected by the Bill, at the disposal of Parliament for the purposes of the Bill.' Whatever was decided here could apply equally to Cornwall as to England.
Traditionally, the Duchy of Cornwall provides the main source of income for the heir to the British throne and/or the monarch's eldest son. The two are generally seen as one and the same. But Parliament didn't specify 'son'. The clause speaks only of the 'heir' and disregards entirely that person's gender.
The implications for the future succession are strong. If, or when, Prince Charles becomes monarch, the Duchy of Cornwall will pass to Prince William. As both William and Harry are male, no challenge to the traditional provisions of the Duchy will take place. However, if Prince William and Kate Middleton were to have a daughter first, then history will be made. She would eventually become the first woman ever to inherit Cornwall.
Royal Issues Raised by the Sovereign Grant Bill 2011
There are two main issues raised by the Sovereign Grant Bill. The one seized upon by most of the weekend's media, is that the Duchy of Cornwall clause might pave the way for an entire modernising of the royal line of succession.
The Act of Settlement, in 1701, gave male heirs precedence over their sisters. In today's terms, that means that Princess Anne is superceded by Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, as well as their off-spring, despite being older than them. But if the Duchy of Cornwall is making no gender distinction, then why shouldn't it apply to the throne itself? It is possible that this quietly inserted aspect of the clause is a way of determining the public mood, before extending women's rights throughout the monarchy.
The estate of the Duchy of Cornwall goes to the Prince of Wales, as is evidenced on the official website. 'The Duchy estate was created in 1337 by Edward III for his son and heir, Prince Edward, and its primary function was to provide him and future Princes of Wales with an income from its assets.' A constitutional question follows: will a female inheriting this estate automatically become Princess of Wales in her own right? If Cornwall can only be held by the Prince of Wales, then it appears so.
Jo Harrington - Jo has a BA (Hons) in History and Philosophy and a MA in History. She has a book published on the history of Wicca.
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