Line of succession to the British Throne
Encyclopedia
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....
and the other 15 Commonwealth realm
Commonwealth Realm
A Commonwealth realm is a sovereign state within the Commonwealth of Nations that has Elizabeth II as its monarch and head of state. The sixteen current realms have a combined land area of 18.8 million km² , and a population of 134 million, of which all, except about two million, live in the six...
s. By the terms of the Act of Settlement 1701
Act 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...
, the succession is limited to the descendants of the Electress Sophia of Hanover
Sophia of Hanover
Sophia of the Palatinate was an heiress to the crowns of England and Ireland and later the crown of Great Britain. She was declared heiress presumptive by the Act of Settlement 1701...
. The British government does not publish an official list of those in line to succeed, but the work of genealogical authors and amateur researchers suggests that there are several thousand people potentially in line. This article does not attempt to present an exhaustive list, but limits itself to the descendants of the sons of 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....
. At a summit in Perth, Western Australia
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
in 2011, the heads of government of all the 16 Commonwealth realms agreed to take steps to end male preference primogeniture
Primogeniture
Primogeniture is the right, by law or custom, of the firstborn to inherit the entire estate, to the exclusion of younger siblings . Historically, the term implied male primogeniture, to the exclusion of females...
and the ban on the monarch's marriage to Catholics, and to other changes in the succession rules.
The line of succession is also used to select the Counsellors of State
Counsellor of State
In the United Kingdom, Counsellors of State are senior members of the British royal family to whom the Monarch, currently Elizabeth II, delegates certain state functions and powers when she is in another Commonwealth realm, abroad or unavailable for other reasons...
(and a regent if the need arises) under the provisions of the Regency Act 1937.
For past versions of the line of succession, see History of the British line of succession
History of the British line of succession
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.-Anne:The Act of Union 1707, which united the thrones of Scotland and England, extended the Act of Settlement to Scotland...
.
Eligibility
The right of succession is regulated 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...
, the Royal Marriages Act 1772
Royal Marriages Act 1772
The Royal Marriages Act 1772 is an Act of the Parliament of Great Britain which prescribes the conditions under which members of the British Royal Family may contract a valid marriage, in order to guard against marriages that could diminish the status of the Royal House...
and common law
Common law
Common law is law developed by judges through decisions of courts and similar tribunals rather than through legislative statutes or executive branch action...
, and is limited to the legitimate descendants of legitimate
Legitimacy law in England and Wales
Legitimacy law in England and Wales is governed by the pertinent legislation and by case law.-Provisions:Section 2 of the Legitimacy Act 1976 provides as follows:...
line from the Electress Sophia of Hanover
Sophia of Hanover
Sophia of the Palatinate was an heiress to the crowns of England and Ireland and later the crown of Great Britain. She was declared heiress presumptive by the Act of Settlement 1701...
. A person born to parents who are not married to each other at the time of birth is not included in the line of succession and passes no rights to their descendants. The subsequent marriage of the parents does not alter this.The Legitimacy Act 1926
Legitimacy Act 1926
The Legitimacy Act 1926 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.-Act:The Act allowed children to be legitimised by the subsequent marriage of their parents, provided that neither parent had been married to a third party at the time of the birth...
, 10 (1) says, "Nothing in this Act shall affect the Succession to any dignity or title of honour or render any person capable of succeeding to or transmitting a right to succeed to any such dignity or title." The Legitimacy Act 1959
Legitimacy Act 1959
The Legitimacy Act 1959 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It was repealed by the Family Law Reform Act 1987.-Act:Prior to the passing of the Act, legitimacy was governed by the Legitimacy Act 1926. Under that act, the marriage of a child's parents after its birth did not...
, 6 (4) says, "It is hereby declared that nothing in this Act affects the Succession to the Throne."
- The succession is ordered by male-preference (cognatic) primogeniture. A person is always immediately followed in the succession by his or her own legitimate descendants (his or her line) except for any legitimate descendants who already appear higher in the line of succession. A person's sons and their lines all come before a person's daughters and their lines. Older sons and their lines come before younger sons and their lines. Older daughters and their lines come before younger daughters and their lines.
- At the time of accession, the heir to the throne must be a Protestant and enter into communion with the Church of EnglandChurch of EnglandThe Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
. - Anyone who is Roman CatholicRoman Catholic ChurchThe Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, becomes Roman Catholic, or marries a Roman Catholic is excluded from the line of succession.
Rule changes
At the 2011 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in PerthPerth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, the leaders of the Commonwealth realms agreed to introduce legislation to end male primogeniture of descendants of Charles, Prince of Wales
Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince 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...
, and to allow heirs to the throne to marry Roman Catholics.
Format of the list
Children are shown after their parents and slightly indented. The names of individuals who are excluded because they are Roman Catholic are in italics followed by the superscript letters . Individuals currently excluded through marriage to a Roman Catholic are printed in italics followed by the superscript letters .Sources
Superscript letters are placed after a name to indicate the source of the name, title, place in succession, and reason for exclusion:- listed by The Official Web Site of the British Monarchy, "Succession"
- listed by Debrett'sDebrett'sDebrett’s is a specialist publisher, founded in 1769 with the publication of the first edition of The New Peerage. The name "Debrett's" honours John Debrett...
, "The Line of Succession to the British Throne" - listed by Whitaker's AlmanackWhitaker's AlmanackWhitaker's Almanack is a reference book, published annually in the United Kingdom. The book was originally published by J Whitaker & Sons from 1868 to 1997, then by The Stationery Office, from 2003 to 2010 by A & C Black and from 2011 by .-Content:...
2011, London: A. C. Black, ISBN 978-1-4081-2848-0, p. 25
Line of succession
- HRH The Prince of WalesCharles, 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...
(Prince Charles; b 1948)
- HRH The Duke of Cambridge (Prince William; b 1982)
- HRH Prince Henry (Harry) of WalesPrince Harry of WalesPrince Henry of Wales , commonly known as Prince Harry, is the younger son of Charles, Prince of Wales and the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and fourth grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...
(b 1984)
- HRH The Duke of YorkPrince Andrew, Duke of YorkPrince Andrew, Duke of York KG GCVO , is the second son, and third child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...
(Prince Andrew; b 1960)
- HRH Princess Beatrice of YorkPrincess Beatrice of YorkPrincess Beatrice of York is the elder daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah, Duchess of York...
(b 1988)
- HRH Princess Eugenie of YorkPrincess Eugenie of YorkPrincess Eugenie of York Eugenie Victoria Helena; born 23 March 1990) is the younger daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah, Duchess of York...
(b 1990)
- HRH The Earl of WessexPrince Edward, Earl of WessexPrince Edward, Earl of Wessex KG GCVO is the third son and fourth child of Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh...
(Prince Edward; b 1964)
- Viscount SevernJames, Viscount SevernJames, Viscount Severn is the second child and only son of Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and the youngest grandchild of Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh...
(James Windsor; b 2007)
- The Lady Louise WindsorLady Louise WindsorThe Lady Louise Windsor is the elder child of Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex. She is the youngest granddaughter and second-youngest grandchild of Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh...
(b 2003)
- HRH The Princess RoyalAnne, Princess RoyalPrincess Anne, Princess Royal , is the only daughter of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...
(Princess Anne; b 1950)
- Peter PhillipsPeter PhillipsPeter Phillips is the son of Anne, Princess Royal of the United Kingdom.Peter Phillips or Philips may also refer to:* Peter Philips Peter Phillips (born 1977) is the son of Anne, Princess Royal of the United Kingdom.Peter Phillips or Philips may also refer to:* Peter Philips Peter Phillips (born...
(b 1977)
- Savannah Phillips (b 2010)
- Zara TindallZara PhillipsZara Anne Elizabeth Phillips, MBE is the second child and only daughter of Princess Anne and her first husband Captain Mark Phillips and is 13th in the line of succession to the throne...
, MBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(b 1981)
- Viscount LinleyDavid Armstrong-Jones, Viscount Linley-Ancestry:-External links:* * * *...
(David Armstrong-Jones; b 1961)
- The Hon. Charles Armstrong-JonesCharles Armstrong-JonesCharles Patrick Inigo Armstrong-Jones is the son of Viscount Linley and Viscountess Linley. He is a great-grandson of King George VI of the United Kingdom....
(b 1999)
- The Hon. Margarita Armstrong-JonesMargarita Armstrong-JonesThe Honourable Margarita Elizabeth Rose Alleyne Armstrong-Jones is the only daughter of Viscount Linley and Viscountess Linley. She was born three months after the death of her grandmother, Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, and a month and a half after the death of her great-grandmother...
(b 2002)
- The Lady Sarah ChattoLady Sarah ChattoThe Lady Sarah Frances Elizabeth Chatto, née Armstrong-Jones , is the only daughter of the 1st Earl of Snowdon and Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, the second daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. She is 17th in line of succession to the thrones of each of the Commonwealth Realms;...
(b 1964)
- Samuel Chatto (b 1996)
- Arthur Chatto (b 1999)
- HRH The Duke 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...
(Prince Richard; b 1944)
- Earl of UlsterAlexander Windsor, Earl of UlsterAlexander Patrick Gregers Richard Windsor, Earl of Ulster is the only son of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. As the eldest son and heir of the Duke of Gloucester, he is accorded the title Earl of Ulster...
(Alexander Windsor; b 1974)
- Lord CullodenXan Windsor, Lord CullodenXan Richard Anders Windsor, Lord Culloden is the elder child of Earl and Countess of Ulster.His father being the only son of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Lord Culloden is second in line to the Dukedom of Gloucester, and 22nd in line to the British Throne...
(Xan Windsor; b 2007)
- The Lady Cosima WindsorLady Cosima WindsorLady Cosima Rose Alexandra Windsor is the daughter of the Earl and Countess of Ulster.Her father is the only son of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and she is in the line to the British Throne. She is the second of the four grandchildren of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and their first...
(b 2010)
- The Lady Davina LewisLady Davina LewisThe Lady Davina Lewis is the elder daughter of Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester and the Duchess of Gloucester, and is in the line of succession to the British Throne....
(b 1977)
- Senna Lewis (b 2010)
- The Lady Rose Gilman (b 1980)
- Lyla Gilman (b 2010)
- HRH The 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...
(Prince Edward; b 1935)
Earl of St AndrewsGeorge Windsor, Earl of St AndrewsGeorge Windsor, Earl of St Andrews is the son of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and his wife, Katharine, Duchess of Kent...
(George Windsor; b 1962)
Lord Downpatrick (Edward Windsor; b 1988)
The Lady Marina-Charlotte WindsorLady Marina-Charlotte WindsorThe Lady Marina Charlotte Windsor is the elder daughter of George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews and Sylvana Windsor, Countess of St Andrews. She was born at the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge and named for her great-grandmother, Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent...
(b 1992)
- The Lady Amelia Windsor (b 1995)
The Lord Nicholas WindsorLord Nicholas WindsorThe Lord Nicholas Windsor is the youngest child of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, a great-grandson of King George V of the United Kingdom, and a first cousin once removed of Queen Elizabeth II....
(b 1970)
- Albert Windsor (b 2007) Albert and Leopold Windsor are listed on The Official Website of the British Monarchy as following Estella Taylor (b 2004), not following Lady Amelia Windsor. They are not listed in either Debrett's or Whitaker's.
- Leopold Windsor (b 2009)
- The Lady Helen TaylorLady Helen TaylorThe Lady Helen Taylor A first cousin once removed of Queen Elizabeth II, she is a great-granddaughter of King George V of the United Kingdom and is in the line of succession to the British throne....
(b 1964) Lady Helen Taylor is listed on The Official Website of the British Monarchy, Debrett's and Whitaker's as following Lady Amelia Windsor, not following Leopold Windsor.
- Columbus Taylor (b 1994)
- Cassius Taylor (b 1996)
- Eloise Taylor (b 2003)
- Estella Taylor (b 2004)
HRH 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)
- The Lord Frederick WindsorLord Frederick WindsorThe Lord Frederick Windsor , popularly known as Lord Freddie, is a British financial analyst, and the only son of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent...
(b 1979)
- The Lady Gabriella WindsorLady Gabriella WindsorThe Lady Gabriella Marina Alexandra Ophelia Windsor , known both professionally and personally as Ella Windsor, is an English freelance feature writer, and the only daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent .Her paternal great grandparents were King George V of the United Kingdom and Mary of...
(b 1981)
- HRH Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady OgilvyPrincess 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)
- James OgilvyJames OgilvyJames Robert Bruce Ogilvy is the elder child and only son of the late Sir Angus Ogilvy and Princess Alexandra of Kent. He was born in Thatched House Lodge, Richmond Park, Surrey and was the first of four babies born to royals in 1964. When he was born he was 13th in the line of succession to the...
(b 1964)
- Alexander Ogilvy (b 1996)
- Flora Ogilvy (b 1994)
- Marina Ogilvy (b 1966)
- Christian Mowatt (b 1993)
- Zenouska Mowatt (b 1990)
Reigning monarch: HM Queen Elizabeth II (born 1926)
The line continues with the descendants of Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood
Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood
The 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...
, the only daughter of George V
George V
George V was king of the United Kingdom and its dominions from 1910 to 1936.George V or similar terms may also refer to:-People:* George V of Georgia * George V of Imereti * George V of Hanover...
, followed by the other descendants of 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...
and earlier British monarchs (as well as Frederick, Prince of Wales
Frederick, Prince of Wales
Frederick, 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...
) back to 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....
, as the list is not infinite and is limited to Sophia of Hanover's descendants (of whom all presently living are also George I's descendants).
The last person in the line of succession is believed to be Miss Karin Vogel from Rostock, Germany.
See also
- History of the British line of successionHistory of the British line of successionThe first ten people in the line of succession to the British throne 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...
- List of heirs to the British throne
- List of heirs to the English throne
- List of heirs to the Scottish throne
- List of monarchs in the British Isles
External links
- William Addams Reitwiesner, "Persons eligible to succeed to the British Throne as of 1 Jan 2011". A list of 5753 descendants of Princess Sophia.