Danish voters have voted in a referendum in favour of changing the law of royal succession so that the first-born child will become heir to the throne regardless of gender. As in most countries, the first male child has, until now, become the country's monarch.

The proposed changed was overwhelmingly approved by more than 85 percent of those who cast ballots. Parliament had already voted in favour of the proposal, but it also had to be approved by the country's electorate.

The change in the law will have no effect in the short term. Queen Margrethe II only has two sons and Crown Prince Frederik is first in line to the throne. The amendment was first proposed when the crown prince's wife, Princess Mary, was pregnant, so that if the first born were a girl she would be first in line. However, her first child was a boy, Prince Christian.