Daughters of hereditary peers hope Meghan has a girl to help campaign for equal rights

A group of aristocratic women are hoping the Duchess of Sussex’s new baby is a girl, after parliament rejected at bill to change the law to allow firstborn daughters to inherit titles.

Members of the campaign group Daughters’ Rights want to see the aristocracy modernised and, with the backing of MP Philip Davies, have proposed a Private Member’s Bill to change the law.

They believe Baby Sussex being born a girl will be the boost they need to reform the archaic discrimination laws against firstborn noblewomen, after Cabinet rejected the bill.

Under current laws, they are denied the right to stand for election to the House of Lords, and the women argue that they are being discriminated against by the British Government.

Charlotte suspects Meghan (pictured in Morocco), a self-proclaimed feminist, would be horrified to learn a future daughter will have less rights than a future son

Head of the campaign group Charlotte Carew Pole, 43, (left) said the law represents a ‘fundamental inequality’ and she suspects Meghan (right),  a self-proclaimed feminist, would be horrified to learn a future daughter will have less rights than a future son

Prince Edward's daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, 15, (pictured with her mother Sophie, Countess of Wessex, last year) will not inherit her father's title, The Earl of Forfar upon on his death despite being his firstborn. Instead it will go to her brother, James, Viscount Severn, 11

Prince Edward’s daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, 15, (pictured with her mother Sophie, Countess of Wessex, last year) will not inherit her father’s title, The Earl of Forfar upon on his death despite being his firstborn. Instead it will go to her brother, James, Viscount Severn, 11

In 2013, Parliament rushed through changes to the Law of Succession ahead of Prince George’s birth to promote gender equality, meaning that Princess Charlotte is fourth in line to the throne ahead of Prince Louis.

But the Cabinet stifled a Private Member’s Bill — the so-called ‘Downton Abbey Law’ — which would have granted firstborn females in the aristocracy the same rights as men.

This means if Meghan gives birth to a daughter, Baby Sussex will not receive the the Earl of Dumbarton title that was bestowed upon Harry after he wed.

In the hope to change the law, five daughters of peers are taking the Government to the European Court of Human Rights on the grounds they are discriminated against on the basis of their gender and the right to a free election. 

Charlotte's (left) husband, Tremayne, will become the 14th holder of the Pole Baronetcy, granted to his family by Charles I in 1628, when his father dies. But under current laws, her son Lucian, one, will inherit the title ahead of his sister Jemima, three. The Hon Sarah Long, 59, (centre) is the eldest daughter of 4th Viscount Long of Wraxall, who died last year aged 88. The title was inherited by her younger brother James, 57, who lives with the effects of Thalidomide. Lady Willa Franks, 45, (right) is the eldest of four daughters born to the 5th Earl of Balfour, 69, an investment executive. With no heir, her father¿s title will go to his brother, her uncle Charles

Charlotte’s (left) husband, Tremayne, will become the 14th holder of the Pole Baronetcy, granted to his family by Charles I in 1628, when his father dies. But under current laws, her son Lucian, one, will inherit the title ahead of his sister Jemima, three. The Hon Sarah Long, 59, (centre) is the eldest daughter of 4th Viscount Long of Wraxall, who died last year aged 88. The title was inherited by her younger brother James, 57, who lives with the effects of Thalidomide. Lady Willa Franks, 45, (right) is the eldest of four daughters born to the 5th Earl of Balfour, 69, an investment executive. With no heir, her father’s title will go to his brother, her uncle Charles

Head of the campaign group Charlotte Carew Pole, 43,  said the law represents a ‘fundamental inequality’ and she suspects Meghan, a self-proclaimed feminist,  would be horrified to learn a future daughter will have less rights than a future son.  

Charlotte’s husband, Tremayne, will become the 14th holder of the Pole Baronetcy, granted to his family by Charles I in 1628, when his father dies.

But under current laws, her son Lucian, one, will inherit the title ahead of his sister Jemima, three.

She told the Telegraph: ‘This is a fundamental inequality and it is very disappointing a change in the law was blocked by the government. All the more disappointed that it was blocked by Chloe Smith, the minister for the constitution, despite her putting through the change in royal succession.

Philip Davies, who proposed the bill, added: 'It's very disappointing. I'm afraid what this now needs is support from the Government. It is frankly staggering that the practice of male primogeniture for her hereditary titles is still ongoing'

Philip Davies, who proposed the bill, added: ‘It’s very disappointing. I’m afraid what this now needs is support from the Government. It is frankly staggering that the practice of male primogeniture for her hereditary titles is still ongoing’

‘I would have thought that Meghan would be horrified that a daughter of hers would not be entitled to the same kind of privilege her son was.

Baby Sussex will not be the first royal to fall victim to the archaic rules.

Prince Edward’s daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, 15, will not inherit her father’s title, The Earl of Forfar but instead upon on his death. Instead it will go to her brother,  James, Viscount Severn, 11.

Charlotte previously told the Daily Mail: ‘Only in the aristocracy does the ridiculous notion still exist that a son is somehow superior to a daughter, and it makes me very cross that Jemima could never inherit her father’s title simply because of her gender. 

Lady Willa is one of five daughters taking the government to the European Human Rights. Her mother  is the elder sister of the Duke of Norfolk, who inherited the ancestral seat, Arundel Castle in West Sussex (pictured)

Lady Willa is one of five daughters taking the government to the European Human Rights. Her mother  is the elder sister of the Duke of Norfolk, who inherited the ancestral seat, Arundel Castle in West Sussex (pictured)

‘I think there is still pressure in some families to produce an heir and a spare before you can have a daughter, and it affects the way the children are brought up.

‘This is a simple case of discrimination. Women are not allowed to stand in a fair and free election to the upper house and that is fundamentally wrong.

‘It is 100 years since women won the vote, yet we still don’t have the same political rights as men. 

Philip Davies, who proposed the bill, added: ‘It’s very disappointing. I’m afraid what this now needs is support from the Government. It is frankly staggering that the practice of male primogeniture for her hereditary titles is still ongoing. It would certainly made a difference to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex if my Bill had succeeded.     

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