List of heirs to the British throne
Encyclopedia
This is a list of the individuals who were, at any given time, considered the next in line to succeed the British monarch to inherit the throne of the Kingdom of Great Britain
(1707–1800), the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
(1801–1922), and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
(1922–present), should the incumbent monarch
die or abdicate. Those who actually succeeded (at any future time) are shown in bold.
The list commences in 1707 following the Acts of Union
, which joined the Kingdoms of England
and Scotland
(previously separate states, with separate legislatures but with the same monarch
) into a single Kingdom of Great Britain. Anne
became Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland on 8 March 1702 and Queen of Great Britain from 1707. The 1701 Act of Settlement
established Electress Sophia of Hanover
as successor to the English throne, and this was extended to Scotland through the Treaty of Union
(Article II) and the Acts of Union.
Kingdom of Great Britain
The former Kingdom of Great Britain, sometimes described as the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain', That the Two Kingdoms of Scotland and England, shall upon the 1st May next ensuing the date hereof, and forever after, be United into One Kingdom by the Name of GREAT BRITAIN. was a sovereign...
(1707–1800), the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was the formal name of the United Kingdom during the period when what is now the Republic of Ireland formed a part of it....
(1801–1922), and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
(1922–present), should the incumbent monarch
Monarch
A monarch is the person who heads a monarchy. This is a form of government in which a state or polity is ruled or controlled by an individual who typically inherits the throne by birth and occasionally rules for life or until abdication...
die or abdicate. Those who actually succeeded (at any future time) are shown in bold.
The list commences in 1707 following the Acts of Union
Acts of Union 1707
The Acts of Union were two Parliamentary Acts - the Union with Scotland Act passed in 1706 by the Parliament of England, and the Union with England Act passed in 1707 by the Parliament of Scotland - which put into effect the terms of the Treaty of Union that had been agreed on 22 July 1706,...
, which joined the Kingdoms of England
Kingdom of England
The Kingdom of England was, from 927 to 1707, a sovereign state to the northwest of continental Europe. At its height, the Kingdom of England spanned the southern two-thirds of the island of Great Britain and several smaller outlying islands; what today comprises the legal jurisdiction of England...
and Scotland
Kingdom of Scotland
The Kingdom of Scotland was a Sovereign state in North-West Europe that existed from 843 until 1707. It occupied the northern third of the island of Great Britain and shared a land border to the south with the Kingdom of England...
(previously separate states, with separate legislatures but with the same monarch
Personal union
A personal union is the combination by which two or more different states have the same monarch while their boundaries, their laws and their interests remain distinct. It should not be confused with a federation which is internationally considered a single state...
) into a single Kingdom of Great Britain. Anne
Anne of Great Britain
Anne ascended the thrones of England, Scotland and Ireland on 8 March 1702. On 1 May 1707, under the Act of Union, two of her realms, England and Scotland, were united as a single sovereign state, the Kingdom of Great Britain.Anne's Catholic father, James II and VII, was deposed during the...
became Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland on 8 March 1702 and Queen of Great Britain from 1707. The 1701 Act of Settlement
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...
established 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...
as successor to the English throne, and this was extended to Scotland through the Treaty of Union
Treaty of Union
The Treaty of Union is the name given to the agreement that led to the creation of the united kingdom of Great Britain, the political union of the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland, which took effect on 1 May 1707...
(Article II) and the Acts of Union.
| Monarch | Heir | Status | Relationship to Monarch | Became heir; reason | Ceased to be heir; reason | Next in succession, relation to heir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anne Anne of Great Britain Anne ascended the thrones of England, Scotland and Ireland on 8 March 1702. On 1 May 1707, under the Act of Union, two of her realms, England and Scotland, were united as a single sovereign state, the Kingdom of Great Britain.Anne's Catholic father, James II and VII, was deposed during 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... |
Heiress presumptive | First cousin, once removed | 1 May 1707; formation of Kingdom of Great Britain |
8 June 1714; died |
George Louis, Elector of Hanover 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.... 1707–1714, son |
| George Louis, Elector of Hanover 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.... |
Heir presumptive | Second cousin | 8 June 1714; mother died |
1 August 1714; succeeded |
George Augustus of Hanover George II of Great Britain George 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... 1714, son |
|
| 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, Prince of Wales George II of Great Britain George 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... |
Heir apparent | Eldest son | 1 August 1714; father succeeded |
11 June 1727; succeeded |
Prince Frederick Louis 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... 1714–1727, son |
| George II George II of Great Britain George 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... |
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... |
Heir apparent | Eldest son | 11 June 1727; father succeeded |
31 March 1751; died |
Prince William, Duke of Cumberland 1727–1737, younger brother |
| Princess Augusta 1737–1738, daughter |
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| Prince George George III of the United Kingdom George 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... 1738–1751, son |
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| George, Prince of Wales George III of the United Kingdom George 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... |
Heir apparent | Grandson | 31 March 1751; father died |
25 October 1760; succeeded |
Edward, Duke of York 1751–1760, younger brother |
|
| George III George III of the United Kingdom George 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... |
Edward, Duke of York | Heir presumptive | Younger brother | 25 October 1760; grandfather died, brother succeeded |
12 August 1762; son born to king |
Prince William Henry 1760–1762, younger brother |
| George, Prince of Wales George IV of the United Kingdom George 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... |
Heir apparent | Eldest son | 12 August 1762; born |
29 January 1820; succeeded |
Edward, Duke of York 1762–1763, uncle |
|
| Frederick, Duke of York Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany The 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... 1763–1796, younger brother |
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| Princess Charlotte of Wales Princess Charlotte Augusta of Wales Princess Charlotte of Wales was the only child of George, Prince of Wales and Caroline of Brunswick... 1796–1817, daughter |
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| Frederick, Duke of York Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany The 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... 1817–1820, younger brother |
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| George IV George IV of the United Kingdom George 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... |
Frederick, Duke of York Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany The 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... |
Heir presumptive | Younger brother | 29 January 1820; father died, brother succeeded |
5 January 1827; died |
William, Duke of Clarence William IV of the United Kingdom William IV was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until his death... 1820–1827, younger brother |
| William, Duke of Clarence William IV of the United Kingdom William IV was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until his death... |
Heir presumptive | Younger brother | 5 January 1827; older brother died |
26 June 1830; succeeded |
Princess Alexandrina Victoria of Kent Victoria of the United Kingdom Victoria 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.... 1827–1830, niece |
|
| William IV William IV of the United Kingdom William IV was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until his death... |
Princess Alexandrina Victoria of Kent Victoria of the United Kingdom Victoria 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.... |
Heiress presumptive | Niece | 26 June 1830; uncle succeeded |
20 June 1837; succeeded |
Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland Ernest Augustus I of Hanover Ernest 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... 1830–1837, uncle |
| Victoria Victoria of the United Kingdom Victoria 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.... |
Ernest Augustus I of Hanover Ernest Augustus I of Hanover Ernest 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... |
Heir presumptive | Uncle | 20 June 1837; niece succeeded |
21 November 1840; daughter born to queen |
George, Crown Prince of Hanover George V of Hanover George 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... 1837–1840, son |
| Victoria, Princess Royal Victoria, Princess Royal The Princess Victoria, Princess Royal was the eldest child of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Prince Albert. She was created Princess Royal of the United Kingdom in 1841. She became German Empress and Queen of Prussia by marriage to German Emperor Frederick III... |
Heiress presumptive | Eldest daughter | 21 November 1840; born |
9 November 1841; brother born |
Ernest Augustus I of Hanover Ernest Augustus I of Hanover Ernest 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... 1840–1841, great-uncle |
|
| Albert Edward, Prince of Wales 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... |
Heir apparent | Eldest son | 9 November 1841; born |
22 January 1901; succeeded |
Victoria, Princess Royal Victoria, Princess Royal The Princess Victoria, Princess Royal was the eldest child of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Prince Albert. She was created Princess Royal of the United Kingdom in 1841. She became German Empress and Queen of Prussia by marriage to German Emperor Frederick III... 1841–1844, elder sister |
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| Prince Alfred Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha was the third Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and reigned from 1893 to 1900. He was also a member of the British Royal Family, the second son and fourth child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha... 1844–1864, younger brother |
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| Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence 1864–1892, son |
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| George, Duke of York 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.... 1892–1901, son |
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| 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... |
George, Prince of Wales 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.... |
Heir apparent | Son | 22 January 1901; father succeeded |
6 May 1910; succeeded |
Prince Edward of Wales 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... 1901–1910, son |
| 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.... |
Edward, Prince of Wales 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... |
Heir apparent | Eldest son | 6 May 1910; father succeeded |
20 January 1936; succeeded |
Albert, Duke of York 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... 1910–1936, younger brother |
| 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... |
Albert, Duke of York 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... |
Heir presumptive | Younger brother | 20 January 1936; brother succeeded |
11 December 1936; brother abdicated; succeeded |
Princess Elizabeth of York 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,... 1936, daughter |
| 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... |
The Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh 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,... |
Heiress presumptive | Eldest daughter | 11 December 1936; father succeeded |
6 February 1952; succeeded |
Princess Margaret Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon was the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II and the younger daughter of King George VI.... 1936–1948, younger sister |
| Prince Charles of Edinburgh 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... 1948–1952, son |
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| 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,... |
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... |
Heir apparent | Eldest son | 6 February 1952; mother succeeded |
Incumbent | Princess Anne Anne, Princess Royal Princess Anne, Princess Royal , is the only daughter of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh... 1952–1960, younger sister |
| Prince Andrew Prince Andrew, Duke of York Prince Andrew, Duke of York KG GCVO , is the second son, and third child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh... 1960–1982, younger brother |
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| Prince William, Duke of Cambridge 1982–present, son |
See also
- Succession to the British throneSuccession to the British ThroneSuccession 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....
- List of heirs to the English throne
- List of heirs to the Scottish throne
- Line of succession to the British throneLine of succession to the British ThroneThe line of succession to the British throne is the ordered sequence of those people eligible to succeed to the throne of the United Kingdom and the other 15 Commonwealth realms. By the terms of the Act of Settlement 1701, the succession is limited to the descendants of the Electress Sophia of...
- 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...