Royal fiancée renounces Catholic faith

The fiancée of a member of the Royal Family has renounced her Catholic faith, which effectively allows her future husband to stay in line to the throne.

|PIC1|The Queen's grandson Peter Philip's right to the throne was in jeopardy, as the law states that if he married a Catholic it would force him to give up his right to succession to the throne.

An announcement from Buckingham Palace has stated that Autumn Kelly has joined the Church of England, meaning Peter Philip will remain 11th in line to the throne.

A law passed in 1701, which is still active, states that heirs to the throne that marry Catholics cannot be sovereigns.

Buckingham Palace has said, "She was welcomed into the Church of England some time ago."

Recently MPs have called for equality legislation to be used to abolish the 300-year-old law, which also gives males precedence in the succession line.

A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: "The government has always stood firmly against discrimination in all its forms, including against Roman Catholics, and we will continue to do so.

"To bring about changes to the law on succession would be a complex undertaking involving amendment or repeal of a number of items of related legislation, as well as requiring the consent of legislatures of member nations of the Commonwealth."

Peter Philip and Autumn Kelly are scheduled to marry on 17 May 2008.