What’s wrong with primogeniture?

I mean the law of course, and not the state or fact of being the firstborn of children of the same parents (which I just learnt about here).

Imagine, if you will, that the law in this country reversed and instead of eldest sons being the heirs, the eldest daughters were. I have no vested interest in this, as far as this argument is concerned. No, honestly. The first in line to the throne would be Princess Anne (1), followed by her daughter Zara Philips (2). Then it would follow Peter Philips (3) and his consort Queen Autumn (not a problem now she is no longer Catholic), Charles (4), William (5), Harry (6) and then it would get a bit boring and familiar.

Now you may be wondering about how having a Queen Anne (and potentially King Tim) might affect us. The last time we had a Queen Anne architecture and furniture got all curvilinear. Was this a Good Thing? Well, it depends on whether you have opinions about such things or are a member of the National Trust, or both. I fear also that the previous Queen Anne got top marks for trying to get a son and/or heir, but after 18 attempts she really got no further than Gloucester (William, Duke of, died aged 11) which was a Disappointing Thing.

Personally, I believe having a Queen Anne wouldn’t affect me much at all, although I suspect it might affect her heiress apparent’s chances in the next round of the Olympic Games.

The alternative of course is that we all become Caroline, which is what apparently happens these days after being Elizabethan.

Where has this thought come from?

Rumour has reached these far-flung parts (and I mean rumour – I have been left off the official list!) that my cousin’s wife has given birth to a son. Or, to put it another way, Lily now has another second cousin. Whichever you prefer. I am very excited about this. It is good news and rather fantastic and I want to congratulate them warmly.

The remarkable fact is that he is the fourth great-grandson my grandad would have had. Four sons, four grandsons and now four great-grandsons. (All of whom had a 75% chance of a biblical name). How poetic!

Interestingly he is also by way of British primogeniture law, the second in line as heir of that branch of the clan.