A MOVE to allow female members of the Royal Family to be given equality with men in the rules of succession has been labelled “an anachronism”.

The decision to approve historic constitutional changes was taken by Commonwealth leaders.

But politics expert Pete Woodcock, of the University of Huddersfield, is convinced it is more of a move to show the monarchy in a modern light.

The move was agreed unanimously by the 16 nations of which Queen Elizabeth II is monarch.

The changes mean that if the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s first child is a girl, she will take precedence over any younger brothers in the order of succession.

The 16 “realms”, including the UK, Canada and Australia, also agreed to scrap outdated laws which ban the spouse of a Roman Catholic from taking the throne.

The changes were announced by Prime Minister David Cameron at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, attended by the Queen, in Perth, Australia.

Mr Cameron said the historic rules were “at odds with the modern countries that we have become”.