Prince William, The Duke of Cambridge
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge arrives in Canada today with Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, and their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte. My recent interview with the Toronto Star discussed recent polling data that indicates Prince William is far more popular with Canadians than his father, Prince Charles. Although nearly half of respondents stated that Charles should not succeed the Queen to become the next monarch, popular opinion will not have an impact on the line of succession. According to the terms of the 1701 Act of Settlement, which determines the royal succession, Charles will automatically succeed his mother as monarch of the United Kingdom, Canada and fourteen other Commonwealth realms. In the interview, I explain why the royal succession should remain independent from the popularity of any individual member of the royal family to ensure the political impartiality of the constitutional monarchy.