A new book unveils Queen Elizabeth II’s surprising stance on a royal rule change, shedding light on a pivotal moment in the monarchy’s modern history.

According to a new book, the late Queen Elizabeth II wasn’t keen on changing a Royal Family rule that would allow princesses to take the throne.

The interesting revelation appears in the book Power and the Palace, by Valentine Low.

The law was changed in 2013 to ensure the first child of a monarch would be next in line to the throne regardless of their gender, in an effort to be progressive and fairer.

Before this, the firstborn son of a monarch would have been prioritised and put ahead of any elder sisters they may have had in the Royal Family’s line of succession. This law has been in place since 1701.

Many saw this law as old-fashioned, and the British Prime Minister at the time pushed for it to be changed.

British PM David Cameron was eager for the law to be changed for the birth of Prince William and Kate’s first child.

Cameron reportedly broached the topic with Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard during a Commonwealth summit in Perth in October 2011.

Author Valentine Low reveals: “According to a government source, he said to Gillard: ‘William and Kate are getting married, there’s going to be kids, shall we sort this out?’”.

“Crucially, the palace was not against it. But they said that the government had to ensure the backing of the other 15 realms.”

She further noted: “I always thought that the signals from Buckingham Palace were that if it was the wish of the duly elected prime minister of the day, and the realms can be sorted out, we will not stand in its way.”