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.<br/> <br />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.<br/> <br />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.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) TOM BRAKE, DEPUTY LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, SAYING:<br/> <br />"I'm proud this bill will remove two long-standing pieces of discrimination and modernise and affirm the place of our constitutional monarchy."<br/> <br />Last week, the royal couple announced that they are expecting their first born in July.<br/> <br />Under current rules, Prince Charles will take over as sovereign only when the Queen dies.<br/> <br />Prince William would succeed him.
