History of the British line of succession
Encyclopedia
The first ten people in the line of succession to the British throne
at the time of death or abdication of each monarch are shown.
(see Jacobite line of succession to the English and Scottish thrones in 1714
for the succession list as it would have been before the Act of Settlement):
The throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became George I
.
The throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became George II.
The throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became George III.
The throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became George IV.
The throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became William IV, by the end of whose seven-year reign, the only change in the succession would be the birth of Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge.
The throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became Queen Victoria.
The throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became Edward VII
.
The throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became George V
.
The throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became Edward VIII
.
, 11 December 1936, the line of succession to the British throne was as follows:
The throne passed to the first person in line, who became George VI
.
This list is extended beyond 10 people to include all the then living legitimate descendants of the House of Windsor who were in the line of succession. The list had changed from the 1936 list by the birth of 6 children, and the death of the Duke of Kent in war at age 39.
The throne passed to the first person in line, who became Elizabeth II
.
Succession to the British Throne
Succession to the British throne is governed both by common law and statute. Under common law the crown is currently passed on by male-preference primogeniture. In other words, succession passes first to an individual's sons, in order of birth, and subsequently to daughters, again in order of birth....
at the time of death or abdication of each monarch are shown.
Anne
The Act of Union 1707, which united the thrones of Scotland and England, extended the Act of Settlement to Scotland. On the day of Anne's death, 1 August 1714, the line of succession to the British throne was as follows, as provided by the Act of Settlement 1701Act of Settlement 1701
The Act of Settlement is an act of the Parliament of England that was passed in 1701 to settle the succession to the English throne on the Electress Sophia of Hanover and her Protestant heirs. The act was later extended to Scotland, as a result of the Treaty of Union , enacted in the Acts of Union...
(see Jacobite line of succession to the English and Scottish thrones in 1714
Jacobite line of succession to the English and Scottish thrones in 1714
The following is the Jacobite line of succession to the English and Scottish thrones on the death of Anne of Great Britain on 1 August 1714. It reflects the laws current in England and Scotland immediately before the Act of Settlement 1701, which disqualified Catholics from the throne.To show how...
for the succession list as it would have been before the Act of Settlement):
- Prince George Louis, Elector of HanoverGeorge I of Great BritainGeorge I was King of Great Britain and Ireland from 1 August 1714 until his death, and ruler of the Duchy and Electorate of Brunswick-Lüneburg in the Holy Roman Empire from 1698....
(b. 1660), second cousin of the Queen
- Prince George Augustus, Electoral Prince of Hanover, Duke of CambridgeGeorge II of Great BritainGeorge II was King of Great Britain and Ireland, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and Archtreasurer and Prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire from 11 June 1727 until his death.George was the last British monarch born outside Great Britain. He was born and brought up in Northern Germany...
(b. 1683), son of the Elector of Hanover
- Prince Frederick Louis of HanoverFrederick, Prince of WalesFrederick, Prince of Wales was a member of the House of Hanover and therefore of the Hanoverian and later British Royal Family, the eldest son of George II and father of George III, as well as the great-grandfather of Queen Victoria...
(b. 1707), son of the Electoral Prince
- Princess Anne of HanoverAnne, Princess Royal and Princess of OrangeAnne, Princess Royal and Princess of Orange was the second child and eldest daughter of King George II of Great Britain and his consort, Caroline of Ansbach. She was the spouse of William IV, Prince of Orange, the first hereditary stadtholder of the Netherlands...
(b. 1709), first daughter of the Electoral Prince
- Princess Amelia of Hanover (b. 1711), second daughter of the Electoral Prince
- Princess Caroline of Hanover (b. 1713), third daughter of the Electoral Prince
- Sophia, Queen in PrussiaSophia Dorothea of HanoverSophia Dorothea of Hanover was a Queen consort in Prussia as wife of Frederick William I. She was the sister of George II of Great Britain and the mother of Frederick the Great.- Biography :...
(b. 1687), daughter of the Elector
- Prince Frederick, Crown Prince in PrussiaFrederick II of PrussiaFrederick II was a King in Prussia and a King of Prussia from the Hohenzollern dynasty. In his role as a prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire, he was also Elector of Brandenburg. He was in personal union the sovereign prince of the Principality of Neuchâtel...
(b. 1712), son of Queen Sophia
- Princess Wilhelmine of Prussia (b. 1709), daughter of Queen Sophia
- Queen Sophia was pregnant at the time of Queen Anne's death; her unborn daughter Princess Frederica LouisePrincess Friederike Luise of PrussiaPrincess Friederike Luise of Prussia was a daughter of Frederick William I of Prussia and Sophia Dorothea of Hanover and Margravine of Brandenburg-Ansbach.-Family:...
was next-in-line, followed by The Elector's younger brother Maximilian William of Brunswick-Lüneburg (b. 1666)
The throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became George I
George I of Great Britain
George I was King of Great Britain and Ireland from 1 August 1714 until his death, and ruler of the Duchy and Electorate of Brunswick-Lüneburg in the Holy Roman Empire from 1698....
.
George I
On the day of George I's death, 11 June 1727, the line of succession to the British throne was as follows:- Prince George, Prince of WalesGeorge II of Great BritainGeorge II was King of Great Britain and Ireland, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and Archtreasurer and Prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire from 11 June 1727 until his death.George was the last British monarch born outside Great Britain. He was born and brought up in Northern Germany...
(b. 1683), son of George I
- Prince Frederick, Duke of EdinburghFrederick, Prince of WalesFrederick, Prince of Wales was a member of the House of Hanover and therefore of the Hanoverian and later British Royal Family, the eldest son of George II and father of George III, as well as the great-grandfather of Queen Victoria...
(b. 1707), eldest son of the Prince of Wales
- Prince William, Duke of Cumberland (b. 1721), second surviving son of the Prince of Wales
- Princess AnneAnne, Princess Royal and Princess of OrangeAnne, Princess Royal and Princess of Orange was the second child and eldest daughter of King George II of Great Britain and his consort, Caroline of Ansbach. She was the spouse of William IV, Prince of Orange, the first hereditary stadtholder of the Netherlands...
(b. 1709), first daughter of the Prince of Wales
- Princess Amelia (b. 1711), second daughter of the Prince of Wales
- Princess Caroline (b. 1713), third daughter of the Prince of Wales
- Princess MaryPrincess Mary of Great BritainThe Princess Mary was a member of the British Royal Family, a daughter of George II and Caroline of Ansbach.-Early life:...
(b. 1723), fourth daughter of the Prince of Wales
- Princess LouiseLouise of Great BritainLouise of Great Britain was the youngest surviving daughter of George II of Great Britain and Caroline of Ansbach, and became queen consort of Denmark and Norway.-Early life:...
(b. 1724), fifth and youngest daughter of the Prince of Wales
- Sophia Dorothea, Queen in PrussiaSophia Dorothea of HanoverSophia Dorothea of Hanover was a Queen consort in Prussia as wife of Frederick William I. She was the sister of George II of Great Britain and the mother of Frederick the Great.- Biography :...
(b. 1687), daughter of George I
- Frederick II, Crown Prince in PrussiaFrederick II of PrussiaFrederick II was a King in Prussia and a King of Prussia from the Hohenzollern dynasty. In his role as a prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire, he was also Elector of Brandenburg. He was in personal union the sovereign prince of the Principality of Neuchâtel...
(b. 1712), eldest surviving son of Queen Sophia
The throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became George II.
George II
On the day of George II's death, 25 October 1760, the line of succession to the British throne was as follows:- Prince George, Prince of WalesGeorge III of the United KingdomGeorge III was King of Great Britain and King of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until the union of these two countries on 1 January 1801, after which he was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until his death...
(b. 1738), eldest son of the king's deceased eldest son, Prince FrederickFrederick, Prince of WalesFrederick, Prince of Wales was a member of the House of Hanover and therefore of the Hanoverian and later British Royal Family, the eldest son of George II and father of George III, as well as the great-grandfather of Queen Victoria...
- Prince Edward, Duke of York and Albany (b. 1739), Frederick's second son
- Prince William HenryPrince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester and EdinburghPrince William, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh was a member of the British Royal Family, a grandson of George II and a younger brother of George III.-Early life:...
(b. 1743), Frederick's third son
- Prince Henry (b. 1745), Frederick's fourth son
- Prince Frederick (b. 1750), Frederick's fifth son
- Princess Augusta (b. 1737), Frederick's first daughter
- Princess Louisa (b. 1749), Frederick's third and second surviving daughter
- Princess Caroline Matilda (b. 1751), Frederick's fourth daughter
- Prince William, Duke of Cumberland (b. 1721), the King's second surviving son
- William V, Prince of OrangeWilliam V, Prince of OrangeWilliam V , Prince of Orange-Nassau was the last Stadtholder of the Dutch Republic, and between 1795 and 1806 he led the Government of the Dutch Republic in Exile in London. He was succeeded by his son William I...
(b. 1748), son of George's deceased first daughter Anne, Princess RoyalAnne, Princess Royal and Princess of OrangeAnne, Princess Royal and Princess of Orange was the second child and eldest daughter of King George II of Great Britain and his consort, Caroline of Ansbach. She was the spouse of William IV, Prince of Orange, the first hereditary stadtholder of the Netherlands...
The throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became George III.
George III
On the day of George III's death, 29 January 1820, the line of succession to the British throne was as follows:- Prince George, Prince RegentGeorge IV of the United KingdomGeorge IV was the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and also of Hanover from the death of his father, George III, on 29 January 1820 until his own death ten years later...
(b. 1762), the king's eldest son, and regent for nine years
- Prince Frederick, Duke of York and AlbanyPrince Frederick, Duke of York and AlbanyThe Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany was a member of the Hanoverian and British Royal Family, the second eldest child, and second son, of King George III...
(b. 1763), the king's second son
- Prince William, Duke of Clarence and St AndrewsWilliam IV of the United KingdomWilliam IV was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until his death...
(b. 1765), the king's third son
- Princess Alexandrina Victoria of KentVictoria of the United KingdomVictoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
(b. 1819), George III's granddaughter by his deceased fourth son the Duke of Kent
- Prince Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland and TeviotdaleErnest Augustus I of HanoverErnest Augustus I was King of Hanover from 20 June 1837 until his death. He was the fifth son and eighth child of George III, who reigned in both the United Kingdom and Hanover...
(b. 1771), the king's fifth son
- Prince George of CumberlandGeorge V of HanoverGeorge V was King of Hanover, the only child of Ernest Augustus I, and a grandchild of King George III of the United Kingdom. In the peerage of Great Britain, he was 2nd Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdale, 2nd Earl of Armagh...
(b. 1819), son of the Duke of Cumberland
- Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of SussexPrince Augustus Frederick, Duke of SussexThe Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex , was the sixth son of George III of the United Kingdom and his consort, Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. He was the only surviving son of George III who did not pursue an army or naval career.- Early life :His Royal Highness The Prince Augustus...
(b. 1773), the king's sixth son
- Prince Adolphus, Duke of CambridgePrince Adolphus, Duke of CambridgeThe Prince Adolphus, 1st Duke of Cambridge , was the tenth child and seventh son of George III and Queen Charlotte. He held the title of Duke of Cambridge from 1801 until his death. He also served as Viceroy of Hanover on behalf of his brothers George IV and William IV...
(b. 1774), the king's seventh son
- Prince George of CambridgePrince George, Duke of CambridgePrince George, Duke of Cambridge was a member of the British Royal Family, a male-line grandson of King George III. The Duke was an army officer and served as commander-in-chief of the British Army from 1856 to 1895...
(b. 1819), son of the Duke of Cambridge
- Queen Charlotte of Württemberg (Princess Royal)Charlotte, Princess RoyalThe Princess Charlotte, Princess Royal was a member of the British Royal Family, the eldest daughter of George III. She was later the Queen Consort of Frederick of Württemberg...
(b. 1766), the king's eldest daughter
The throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became George IV.
George IV
On the day of George IV's death, 26 June 1830, the line of succession to the British throne was as follows:- Prince William, Duke of Clarence and St AndrewsWilliam IV of the United KingdomWilliam IV was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until his death...
(b. 1765), brother of George IV
- Princess Alexandrina Victoria of KentVictoria of the United KingdomVictoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
(b. 1819), daughter of George IV's brother the Duke of Kent
- Prince Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland and TeviotdaleErnest Augustus I of HanoverErnest Augustus I was King of Hanover from 20 June 1837 until his death. He was the fifth son and eighth child of George III, who reigned in both the United Kingdom and Hanover...
(b. 1771), brother of William IV
- Prince George of CumberlandGeorge V of HanoverGeorge V was King of Hanover, the only child of Ernest Augustus I, and a grandchild of King George III of the United Kingdom. In the peerage of Great Britain, he was 2nd Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdale, 2nd Earl of Armagh...
(b. 1819), son of the Duke of Cumberland
- Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of SussexPrince Augustus Frederick, Duke of SussexThe Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex , was the sixth son of George III of the United Kingdom and his consort, Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. He was the only surviving son of George III who did not pursue an army or naval career.- Early life :His Royal Highness The Prince Augustus...
(b. 1773), brother of William IV
- Prince Adolphus, Duke of CambridgePrince Adolphus, Duke of CambridgeThe Prince Adolphus, 1st Duke of Cambridge , was the tenth child and seventh son of George III and Queen Charlotte. He held the title of Duke of Cambridge from 1801 until his death. He also served as Viceroy of Hanover on behalf of his brothers George IV and William IV...
(b. 1774), brother of William IV
- Prince George of CambridgePrince George, Duke of CambridgePrince George, Duke of Cambridge was a member of the British Royal Family, a male-line grandson of King George III. The Duke was an army officer and served as commander-in-chief of the British Army from 1856 to 1895...
(b. 1819), son of the Duke of Cambridge
- Princess Augusta of CambridgeAugusta of CambridgePrincess Augusta of Cambridge was a member of the British Royal Family, a granddaughter of George III. She married into the Grand Ducal House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and became the Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz....
(b. 1822), daughter of the Duke of Cambridge
- Princess Augusta SophiaPrincess Augusta Sophia of the United KingdomThe Princess Augusta Sophia was a member of the British Royal Family, second daughter of George III and Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. She was a Princess of the United Kingdom and a Princess of Hanover....
(b. 1768), sister of George IV
- Princess Elizabeth, Landgravine of Hesse-HornburgPrincess Elizabeth of the United KingdomThe Princess Elizabeth was a member of the British Royal Family, the seventh child and third daughter of King George III and Queen Charlotte...
(b. 1770), sister of George IV
The throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became William IV, by the end of whose seven-year reign, the only change in the succession would be the birth of Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge.
William IV
On the day of William IV's death, 20 June 1837, the line of succession to the British throne was as follows:- Princess Alexandrina Victoria of KentVictoria of the United KingdomVictoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
(b. 1819), daughter of William IV's brother the Duke of Kent
- Prince Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland and TeviotdaleErnest Augustus I of HanoverErnest Augustus I was King of Hanover from 20 June 1837 until his death. He was the fifth son and eighth child of George III, who reigned in both the United Kingdom and Hanover...
(b. 1771), brother of William IV (succeeded as King of HanoverKingdom of HanoverThe Kingdom of Hanover was established in October 1814 by the Congress of Vienna, with the restoration of George III to his Hanoverian territories after the Napoleonic era. It succeeded the former Electorate of Brunswick-Lüneburg , and joined with 38 other sovereign states in the German...
, as the senior agnatic descendent)
- Prince George of CumberlandGeorge V of HanoverGeorge V was King of Hanover, the only child of Ernest Augustus I, and a grandchild of King George III of the United Kingdom. In the peerage of Great Britain, he was 2nd Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdale, 2nd Earl of Armagh...
(b. 1819), son of the Duke of Cumberland
- Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of SussexPrince Augustus Frederick, Duke of SussexThe Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex , was the sixth son of George III of the United Kingdom and his consort, Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. He was the only surviving son of George III who did not pursue an army or naval career.- Early life :His Royal Highness The Prince Augustus...
(b. 1773), brother of William IV
- Prince Adolphus, Duke of CambridgePrince Adolphus, Duke of CambridgeThe Prince Adolphus, 1st Duke of Cambridge , was the tenth child and seventh son of George III and Queen Charlotte. He held the title of Duke of Cambridge from 1801 until his death. He also served as Viceroy of Hanover on behalf of his brothers George IV and William IV...
(b. 1774), brother of William IV
- Prince George of CambridgePrince George, Duke of CambridgePrince George, Duke of Cambridge was a member of the British Royal Family, a male-line grandson of King George III. The Duke was an army officer and served as commander-in-chief of the British Army from 1856 to 1895...
(b. 1819), son of the Duke of Cambridge
- Princess Augusta of CambridgeAugusta of CambridgePrincess Augusta of Cambridge was a member of the British Royal Family, a granddaughter of George III. She married into the Grand Ducal House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and became the Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz....
(b. 1822), daughter of the Duke of Cambridge
- Princess Mary Adelaide of CambridgePrincess Mary Adelaide of CambridgePrincess Mary Adelaide Wilhelmina Elizabeth of Cambridge was a member of the British Royal Family, a granddaughter of George III, and great-grandmother of Elizabeth II. She held the title of Duchess of Teck through marriage.Mary Adelaide is remembered as the mother of Queen Mary, the consort of...
(b. 1833), daughter of the Duke of Cambridge
- Princess Augusta SophiaPrincess Augusta Sophia of the United KingdomThe Princess Augusta Sophia was a member of the British Royal Family, second daughter of George III and Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. She was a Princess of the United Kingdom and a Princess of Hanover....
(b. 1768), sister of William IV
- Princess Elizabeth, Landgravine of Hesse-HornburgPrincess Elizabeth of the United KingdomThe Princess Elizabeth was a member of the British Royal Family, the seventh child and third daughter of King George III and Queen Charlotte...
(b. 1770), sister of William IV
The throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became Queen Victoria.
Victoria
On the day of Victoria's death, 22 January 1901, the line of succession to the British throne was as follows:- Prince Albert Edward, Prince of WalesEdward VII of the United KingdomEdward VII was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910...
(b. 1841), eldest son of Queen Victoria
- Prince George, Duke of YorkGeorge V of the United KingdomGeorge V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
(b. 1865), eldest surviving son of the Prince of Wales
- Prince Edward of YorkEdward VIII of the United KingdomEdward VIII was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth, and Emperor of India, from 20 January to 11 December 1936.Before his accession to the throne, Edward was Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay...
(b. 1894), eldest son of the Duke of York
- Prince Albert of YorkGeorge VI of the United KingdomGeorge VI was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death...
(b. 1895), second son of the Duke of York
- Prince Henry of YorkPrince Henry, Duke of GloucesterThe Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester was a soldier and member of the British Royal Family, the third son of George V of the United Kingdom and Queen Mary....
(b. 1900), third son of the Duke of York
- Princess Mary of YorkMary, Princess Royal and Countess of HarewoodThe Princess Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood was a member of the British Royal Family; she was the third child and only daughter of King George V and Queen Mary. She was the sixth holder of the title of Princess Royal...
(b. 1897), daughter of the Duke of York
- Princess Louise, Duchess of FifeLouise, Princess Royal and Duchess of FifeThe Princess Louise, Princess Royal and Duchess of Fife was the third child and the eldest daughter of King Edward VII and Alexandra of Denmark...
(b. 1867), eldest daughter of the Prince of Wales
- Lady Alexandra DuffPrincess Alexandra, Duchess of FifePrincess Alexandra, 2nd Duchess of Fife was a member of the British Royal Family, a granddaughter of King Edward VII...
(b. 1891), elder daughter of Princess Louise
- Lady Maud DuffPrincess Maud of Fife-Titles and styles:*3 April 1893 – 5 November 1905: The Lady Maud Duff*5 November 1905 – 12 November 1923: Her Highness Princess Maud of Fife*12 November 1923 – 10 November 1941: Lady Carnegie...
(b. 1893), younger daughter of Princess Louise
- Princess Victoria of Wales (b. 1868), second daughter of the Prince of Wales
The throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became Edward VII
Edward VII of the United Kingdom
Edward VII was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910...
.
Edward VII
On the day of Edward VII's death, 6 May 1910, the line of succession to the British throne was as follows:- Prince George, Prince of WalesGeorge V of the United KingdomGeorge V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
(b. 1865), son of Edward VII
- Prince Edward of WalesEdward VIII of the United KingdomEdward VIII was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth, and Emperor of India, from 20 January to 11 December 1936.Before his accession to the throne, Edward was Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay...
(b. 1894), eldest son of Prince George
- Prince Albert of WalesGeorge VI of the United KingdomGeorge VI was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death...
(b. 1895), second son of Prince George
- Prince Henry of WalesPrince Henry, Duke of GloucesterThe Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester was a soldier and member of the British Royal Family, the third son of George V of the United Kingdom and Queen Mary....
(b. 1900), third son of Prince George
- Prince George of WalesPrince George, Duke of KentPrince George, Duke of Kent was a member of the British Royal Family, the fourth son of George V and Mary of Teck, and younger brother of Edward VIII and George VI...
(b. 1902), fourth son of Prince George
- Prince John of WalesPrince John of the United KingdomThe Prince John was a member of the British Royal Family, the youngest son of King George V and Queen Mary. The Prince had epilepsy and consequently was largely hidden from the public eye.-Early life:...
(b. 1905), fifth son of Prince George
- Princess Mary of WalesMary, Princess Royal and Countess of HarewoodThe Princess Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood was a member of the British Royal Family; she was the third child and only daughter of King George V and Queen Mary. She was the sixth holder of the title of Princess Royal...
(b. 1897), daughter of Prince George
- Princess Louise, Princess RoyalLouise, Princess Royal and Duchess of FifeThe Princess Louise, Princess Royal and Duchess of Fife was the third child and the eldest daughter of King Edward VII and Alexandra of Denmark...
(b. 1867), eldest daughter of Edward VII
- Princess Alexandra of FifePrincess Alexandra, Duchess of FifePrincess Alexandra, 2nd Duchess of Fife was a member of the British Royal Family, a granddaughter of King Edward VII...
(b. 1891), elder daughter of Princess Louise
- Princess Maud of FifePrincess Maud of Fife-Titles and styles:*3 April 1893 – 5 November 1905: The Lady Maud Duff*5 November 1905 – 12 November 1923: Her Highness Princess Maud of Fife*12 November 1923 – 10 November 1941: Lady Carnegie...
(b. 1893), younger daughter of Princess Louise
The throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became George V
George V of the United Kingdom
George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
.
George V
On the day of George V's death, 20 January 1936, the line of succession to the British throne was as follows:- Prince Edward, Prince of WalesEdward VIII of the United KingdomEdward VIII was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth, and Emperor of India, from 20 January to 11 December 1936.Before his accession to the throne, Edward was Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay...
(b. 1894), eldest son of George V
- Prince Albert, Duke of YorkGeorge VI of the United KingdomGeorge VI was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death...
(b. 1895), second son of George V
- Princess Elizabeth of YorkElizabeth II of the United KingdomElizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
(b. 1926), elder daughter of the Duke of York
- Princess Margaret of YorkPrincess Margaret, Countess of SnowdonPrincess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon was the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II and the younger daughter of King George VI....
(b. 1930), younger daughter of the Duke of York
- Prince Henry, Duke of GloucesterPrince Henry, Duke of GloucesterThe Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester was a soldier and member of the British Royal Family, the third son of George V of the United Kingdom and Queen Mary....
(b. 1900), third son of George V
- Prince George, Duke of KentPrince George, Duke of KentPrince George, Duke of Kent was a member of the British Royal Family, the fourth son of George V and Mary of Teck, and younger brother of Edward VIII and George VI...
(b. 1902), fourth son of George V
- Prince Edward of KentPrince Edward, Duke of KentThe Duke of Kent graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on 29 July 1955 as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Scots Greys, the beginning of a military career that would last over 20 years. He was promoted to captain on 29 July 1961. The Duke of Kent saw service in Hong Kong from 1962–63...
(b. 1935), son of the Duke of Kent
- Princess Mary, Princess RoyalMary, Princess Royal and Countess of HarewoodThe Princess Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood was a member of the British Royal Family; she was the third child and only daughter of King George V and Queen Mary. She was the sixth holder of the title of Princess Royal...
(b. 1897), daughter of George V
- George Lascelles, Viscount LascellesGeorge Lascelles, 7th Earl of HarewoodGeorge Henry Hubert Lascelles, 7th Earl of Harewood, KBE AM , styled The Hon. George Lascelles before 1929 and Viscount Lascelles between 1929 and 1947, was the elder son of the 6th Earl of Harewood , and Princess Mary, Princess Royal, the only daughter of King George V of the United Kingdom and...
(b. 1923), elder son of the Princess Royal
- Gerald LascellesGerald LascellesThe Honourable Gerald David Lascelles was the younger son of the 6th Earl of Harewood and Mary, Princess Royal, the only daughter of King George V of the United Kingdom and Mary of Teck. He was the first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. He was styled The Honourable Gerald Lascelles...
(b. 1924), younger son of the Princess Royal
The throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became Edward VIII
Edward VIII of the United Kingdom
Edward VIII was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth, and Emperor of India, from 20 January to 11 December 1936.Before his accession to the throne, Edward was Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay...
.
Edward VIII
On the day of Edward VIII's abdicationEdward VIII abdication crisis
In 1936, a constitutional crisis in the British Empire was caused by King-Emperor Edward VIII's proposal to marry Wallis Simpson, a twice-divorced American socialite....
, 11 December 1936, the line of succession to the British throne was as follows:
- Prince Albert, Duke of YorkGeorge VI of the United KingdomGeorge VI was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death...
(b. 1895), eldest brother of Edward VIII
- Princess Elizabeth of YorkElizabeth II of the United KingdomElizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
(b. 1926), elder daughter of the Duke of York
- Princess Margaret of YorkPrincess Margaret, Countess of SnowdonPrincess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon was the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II and the younger daughter of King George VI....
(b. 1930), younger daughter of the Duke of York
- Prince Henry, Duke of GloucesterPrince Henry, Duke of GloucesterThe Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester was a soldier and member of the British Royal Family, the third son of George V of the United Kingdom and Queen Mary....
(b. 1900), second brother of Edward VIII
- Prince George, Duke of KentPrince George, Duke of KentPrince George, Duke of Kent was a member of the British Royal Family, the fourth son of George V and Mary of Teck, and younger brother of Edward VIII and George VI...
(b. 1902), third brother of Edward VIII
- Prince Edward of KentPrince Edward, Duke of KentThe Duke of Kent graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on 29 July 1955 as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Scots Greys, the beginning of a military career that would last over 20 years. He was promoted to captain on 29 July 1961. The Duke of Kent saw service in Hong Kong from 1962–63...
(b. 1935), son of the Duke of Kent
- The Duchess of Kent was eight and a half months pregnant, her unborn daughter Princess Alexandra of KentPrincess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady OgilvyPrincess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy is the youngest granddaughter of King George V of the United Kingdom and Mary of Teck. She is the widow of Sir Angus Ogilvy...
, who was born two weeks after the abdication, was next-in-line followed by:
- Princess Royal, Mary, Countess of HarewoodMary, Princess Royal and Countess of HarewoodThe Princess Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood was a member of the British Royal Family; she was the third child and only daughter of King George V and Queen Mary. She was the sixth holder of the title of Princess Royal...
(b. 1897), sister of Edward VIII
- Viscount LascellesGeorge Lascelles, 7th Earl of HarewoodGeorge Henry Hubert Lascelles, 7th Earl of Harewood, KBE AM , styled The Hon. George Lascelles before 1929 and Viscount Lascelles between 1929 and 1947, was the elder son of the 6th Earl of Harewood , and Princess Mary, Princess Royal, the only daughter of King George V of the United Kingdom and...
(b. 1923), elder son of the Princess Royal
- Gerald LascellesGerald LascellesThe Honourable Gerald David Lascelles was the younger son of the 6th Earl of Harewood and Mary, Princess Royal, the only daughter of King George V of the United Kingdom and Mary of Teck. He was the first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. He was styled The Honourable Gerald Lascelles...
(b. 1924), younger son of the Princess Royal
The throne passed to the first person in line, who became George VI
George VI of the United Kingdom
George VI was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death...
.
George VI
On the day of George VI's death, 6 February 1952, the line of succession to the British throne was as follows:- Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of EdinburghElizabeth II of the United KingdomElizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
(b. 1926), elder daughter of George VI - Prince Charles of EdinburghCharles, Prince of WalesPrince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
(b. 1948), son of Princess Elizabeth - Princess Anne of EdinburghAnne, Princess RoyalPrincess Anne, Princess Royal , is the only daughter of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...
(b. 1950), daughter of Princess Elizabeth - Princess MargaretPrincess Margaret, Countess of SnowdonPrincess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon was the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II and the younger daughter of King George VI....
(b. 1930), younger daughter of George VI - Prince Henry, Duke of GloucesterPrince Henry, Duke of GloucesterThe Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester was a soldier and member of the British Royal Family, the third son of George V of the United Kingdom and Queen Mary....
(b. 1900), brother of George VI - Prince William of GloucesterPrince William of GloucesterPrince William of Gloucester was a member of the British Royal Family, a grandson of George V.-Early life:...
(b. 1941), elder son of the Duke of Gloucester - Prince Richard of GloucesterPrince Richard, Duke of GloucesterPrince Richard, Duke of Gloucester is a member of the British Royal Family. Prince Richard is the youngest grandchild of King George V and Queen Mary. He has been Duke of Gloucester since his father's death in 1974. He is currently 20th in the line of succession...
(b. 1944), younger son of the Duke of Gloucester - Prince Edward, Duke of KentPrince Edward, Duke of KentThe Duke of Kent graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on 29 July 1955 as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Scots Greys, the beginning of a military career that would last over 20 years. He was promoted to captain on 29 July 1961. The Duke of Kent saw service in Hong Kong from 1962–63...
(b. 1935), elder son of George VI's brother, the 1st Duke of Kent - Prince Michael of KentPrince Michael of KentPrince Michael of Kent is a grandson of King George V and Queen Mary, making him a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. He is also the first cousin once removed of Prince Phillip. Prince Michael occasionally carries out royal duties representing the Queen at some functions in Commonwealth realms outside...
(b. 1942), younger son of the 1st Duke of Kent - Princess Alexandra of KentPrincess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady OgilvyPrincess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy is the youngest granddaughter of King George V of the United Kingdom and Mary of Teck. She is the widow of Sir Angus Ogilvy...
(b. 1936), daughter of the 1st Duke of Kent - The Princess Royal, Mary, Countess of HarewoodMary, Princess Royal and Countess of HarewoodThe Princess Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood was a member of the British Royal Family; she was the third child and only daughter of King George V and Queen Mary. She was the sixth holder of the title of Princess Royal...
(b. 1897), sister of George VI - The Rt Hon The Earl of HarewoodGeorge Lascelles, 7th Earl of HarewoodGeorge Henry Hubert Lascelles, 7th Earl of Harewood, KBE AM , styled The Hon. George Lascelles before 1929 and Viscount Lascelles between 1929 and 1947, was the elder son of the 6th Earl of Harewood , and Princess Mary, Princess Royal, the only daughter of King George V of the United Kingdom and...
(b. 1923), elder son of the Princess Royal - Viscount LascellesDavid Lascelles, Viscount LascellesDavid Henry George Lascelles, 8th Earl of Harewood is a British hereditary peer and film and television producer. He is in line to the British throne....
(b. 1950), son of the Earl of Harewood - Gerald LascellesGerald LascellesThe Honourable Gerald David Lascelles was the younger son of the 6th Earl of Harewood and Mary, Princess Royal, the only daughter of King George V of the United Kingdom and Mary of Teck. He was the first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. He was styled The Honourable Gerald Lascelles...
(b. 1924), younger son of the Princess Royal
This list is extended beyond 10 people to include all the then living legitimate descendants of the House of Windsor who were in the line of succession. The list had changed from the 1936 list by the birth of 6 children, and the death of the Duke of Kent in war at age 39.
The throne passed to the first person in line, who became Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
.