Australia has been blamed in the British House of Lords for holding up changes that would make royal succession laws gender neutral.

All 16 Commonwealth realms sharing the same royal family – including Canada, New Zealand and Jamaica – must all pass an identical law before the changes can come into effect.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, with their son Prince George. Australia has been blamed for delaying changes to the royal succession laws. Credit:Michael Middleton/Getty Images

Lords' deputy leader Jim Wallace told the British parliament on Thursday that every Commonwealth realm except Australia has passed the law.

The law would mean male children would no longer take precedence over females in the line of succession.