New rules for the Royal Family
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Queen Elizabeth II has spoken to Gordon Brown about changing the rules about who can be King or Queen of England. At the moment the rules say that a member of the Royal Family can't become King or Queen of England if they marry a Catholic. It is also difficult for women because men have more chance of being King of England, even if they are much younger than their female relatives.
The King or Queen of England is also the head of the Church of England, because of laws that were made over 300 years ago, when Protestants wanted to protect the Royal Family from the Roman Catholic church. In any other organisation in the UK it is illegal to stop somebody doing their job because of their sex or religion.
A politician is trying to change the law but it seems that he doesn’t have enough support on this occasion from other members of Parliament, but experts think that the laws will change in the next few years.
Have you have finished reading the article? Now try and answer these questions:
1) Why was the law about marrying Catholics made?
(a) Because a long time ago Protestants thought that Catholics wanted to damage the monarchy and Church of England
(b) Because the Royal family have always been Protestant
(c) Because people think that Protestants are better leaders
2) How many other organisations in Britain have similar rules?
(a) Not many because it not polite.
(b) None, these rules are illegal for all organisations apart from the Royal Family
(c) A lot, rules like this are very common in Britain.
Here are the answers:
1) a - "...over 300 years ago, when Protestants wanted to protect the Royal Family from the Roman Catholic church."
2) b - "In any other organisation in the UK it is illegal to stop somebody doing their job because of their sex or religion."
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