If the only throne you’ve been keeping up with lately is the Iron Throne, then we’re going to shift gears a little bit for you. There won’t be any dragon babies, bloody fights, or icy invaders, but we are going to let you know about the House of Windsor.
Who exactly is in the royal line of succession for the British monarchy? When Queen Elizabeth II dies, retires, or gives up the throne, the crown will pass to her oldest male heir. In the past, succession has been determined by birth rank, gender, parentage, and religion.
With the passage of the new The Succession to the Crown Act of 2013, gender will no longer be a factor for those born after 2011. Therefore, Princess Charlotte moved up in the line of heirs. The new rule also did away with disqualifying someone from the line if they married a Roman Catholic.
Under these new terms, here is the current order for heirs to the British throne:
-
Prince Charles
As the eldest son of the Queen, is the heir apparent and 69 years old. His heirs are next in line after him as he is the oldest child of the Queen.
-
Prince William
The eldest son of Prince Charles and next in line when his father passes away or abdicates the throne. As the heir apparent’s (and future king’s) oldest son, his children also follow suit and are next in line for the monarchy.
-
Prince George
Prince William’s firstborn child and son.
-
Princess Charlotte
Prince William’s second child. If Prince George grows up and doesn’t have any heirs, she would only ascend the throne in the tragic event of his passing.
-
Prince Louis
Prince Louis is Prince William’s third child.
-
Prince Harry
Prince Harry is not in line for Royal succession after giving up Royal duties.
-
Archie Mountbatten-Windsor
Prince Harry’s firstborn child and son.
-
Prince Andrew
Update: Prince Andrew is no longer in line of succession after bing stripped of Royal titles from fallout from Epstein scandal. Though Princess Anne is the Queen’s second child, because she is a female, all of her brothers would precede her. Prince Andrew is the second son and seventh in line for the throne, and since he has no sons, his daughters are his heirs.
-
Princess Beatrice
Prince Andrew’s oldest daughter.
-
Princess Eugenie
Prince Andrew’s second daughter.
-
Prince Edward
Queen Elizabeth’s youngest son.
-
James Windsor
Prince Edward’s son. Born in 2007.
-
Lady Louise Windsor
Prince Edward’s daughter. Born in 2003.
-
Princess Anne
Queen Elizabeth’s only daughter.
-
Peter Phillips
Princess Anne’s son.
-
Savannah & Isla Phillips
Daughters of Peter Phillips.
-
Zara Tindall (née Phillips)
Princess Anne’s daughter.
-
Mia Tindall
Zara Tindall’s daughter.
-
David Armstrong-Jones
Son of Queen Elizabeth II’s only sibling, Princess Margaret.
-
Charles Armstrong-Jones
Son of David Armstrong-Jones.
-
Margarita Armstrong-Jones
Daughter of David Armstrong-Jones.
-
Lady Sarah Chatto
Princess Margaret’s daughter.
-
Samuel Chatto
Lady Sarah Chatto’s son. Born in 1996.
-
Arthur Chatto
Lady Sarah Chatto’s second son, born in 1999.
-
Prince Richard
Distant cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. Grandson of King George V and Queen Mary.
-
Alexander Windsor
Prince Richard’s son.
How is that for a family tree? With how things appear today, the likelihood of Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s heirs not being able to ascend the throne for the next few generations seem slim. What we do know is that the next monarch will be a king.
What are your thoughts on the British monarchy’s succession of heirs? Were you aware of The Succession to the Crown Act?
Source:
