Hearing ordered on royal family will

LONDON, Feb. 8 (UPI) -- A British court ruled Friday the self-proclaimed illegitimate son of Princess Margaret could argue to have a look at her will, the Daily Telegraph said.

The decision opens a door to potentially overturning long-standing legal conventions that keep the final wills of members of royal family secret, the newspaper said.

Robert Brown, 53, maintains that he is the son of Margaret and Royal Air Force Group Capt. Peter Townsend, and is hence the 12th in line for the British throne.

Buckingham Palace has dismissed Brown's claims and criticized his motives in seeking to unseal the late princess' will. The Telegraph said Lord Chief Justice Phillips also took a swipe at Brown's motives from the bench, but said the matter warranted a hearing regardless.