18 Apr 2011

PM says NZ supports change to royal succession rules

8:38 pm on 18 April 2011

Prime Minister John Key says New Zealand supports a change to the rules of royal succession.

Britain's Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has said the time has come to change the rule, but Prime Minister David Cameron has warned that change will take time.

Mr Key says New Zealand supports the rules being changed so a daughter of Prince William and Catherine Middleton's can become Queen.

At present, the law of primogeniture means male heirs accede to the throne before any older sisters.

However, Mr Key doubts change will come soon and does not know if the Queen will discuss the issue with him over lunch during his trip to Britain and France.

Mr Key will attend Prince William's wedding in London and attend Anzac ceremonies at Hyde Park. He will also meet with Mr Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

As its wedding present to the royal couple, the New Zealand Government will donate $10,000 to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal, while Australia will give $A25,000 to the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

The couple are to marry in Westminster Abbey on 29 April.