Question

What do you mean by the rule of primogeniture?

Answer 1

Hint: This was the rule, applied after the demise of a king, to avoid any fight over possession. The rule of primogeniture is the custom or right of succession by law, where it is stated that the firstborn child will inherit the parent’s main or entire estate.

Complete answer: The term ‘primogeniture’ means ‘being the firstborn child’. According to this rule, the firstborn child will be preferred first among all other children, collateral relatives, or any illegitimate child. Furthermore, this rule is classified into two categories. One, which states the inheritance of the firstborn son is called the agnatic primogeniture, and the other, which states the inheritance of the firstborn daughter is called the matrilineal primogeniture. But up to the 20th century, in European jurisdiction, the classical form of primogeniture was prevalent, which directly defines the male line primogeniture or absolute male-preference primogeniture. But, after World War II, most monarchies in Western Europe, such as Denmark, Sweden, Norway, UK, Belgium, etc. eliminated the preference for male over female and became more flexible to entitle a daughter or in the absence of either, to another collateral relatives. In the year 1980, Sweden amended the act of succession and made the absolute primogeniture, where gender became irrelevant for inheritance. This was amended by following the displacement of King Carl XVI Gustaf’s infant son, and in favor of his elder daughter, Princess Victoria.

Note: This law is still used in today’s era in some hereditary monarchies. But it was more common back in days when the world was ruled by them, in the need to make everyone know who the legitimate successor was. So, after the demise of a king, to avoid any fight over possession, the right of succession went to the eldest child of the deceased.