A majority of British landowners are prepared to leave their estate to their daughters despite ancient common law allowing sons to claim full inheritance to family property, a survey has found.

By Andrew Hough 7:30AM BST 06 Apr 2011

Researchers found attitudes towards the centuries old succession rule of “primogeniture”, which puts male children ahead of females, irrespective of age, were significantly relaxing. Experts say the conclusions showed a “profound change in thinking’ about succession laws. It also pointed towards the “Downton Abbey conundrum”, faced by the Earl of Grantham throughout the popular ITV period drama last season – in which prejudice was heavily weighed against daughters inheriting major estates – could soon become an outdated practice.

Source: TELEGRAPH