Britain's House of Commons on Monday paved the way for new laws that will modernise the Royal family by allowing a first born daughter to succeed the throne.
The Succession of the Crown Bill, which also permits an heir to the throne to marry a Catholic, will now go to the House of Lords for further scrutiny.
The changes will mean that if the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's first child is a girl, she can become monarch even if she later has younger brothers.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) TOM BRAKE, DEPUTY LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, SAYING:
"I'm proud this bill will remove two long-standing pieces of discrimination and modernise and affirm the place of our constitutional monarchy."
Last week, the royal couple announced that they are expecting their first born in July.
Under current rules, Prince Charles will take over as sovereign only when the Queen dies.
Prince William would succeed him.
