Following several major developments within the British royal family over the past few years, many people have begun asking a simple question: who is actually next in line for the throne? The order of succession within the monarchy is not fixed forever. It changes whenever a monarch dies, when royal children are born, or when laws governing succession are updated.
The most recent major shift happened in 2022, when Queen Elizabeth II died at the age of 96 after a historic 70-year reign, the longest in British history. Immediately after her death, her eldest son, then known as Prince Charles, became King Charles III. His coronation took place in May 2023, officially confirming him as the new monarch.
Interestingly, Charles was already 73 when he became king, making him the oldest person ever to ascend the British throne.
Why Charles Inherited the Crown
Charles became monarch because he was the eldest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Being born before his younger siblings placed him first in the royal line of succession.
His siblings include:
• Princess Anne (born 1950)
• Prince Andrew (born 1960)
• Prince Edward (born 1964)
For many years, the rules of succession followed a system known as male-preference primogeniture. Under that system, male heirs automatically ranked ahead of their older sisters.
That is why Prince Andrew was placed ahead of Princess Anne in the succession order despite being younger.
The rule changed in 2013 with the Succession to the Crown Act, which established absolute primogeniture for future generations. Under the updated rule, birth order now takes priority regardless of gender.
Prince William and His Children
King Charles has two sons with the late Princess Diana: Prince William and Prince Harry.
Because William is the elder of the two, he became first in line to the throne once Charles became king.
Before William had children, Prince Harry was second in line. However, that changed when William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, started their family.
Their children now occupy the next positions:
- Prince William – first in line
- Prince George – second
- Princess Charlotte – third
- Prince Louis – fourth
Prince George, the couple’s eldest child, is therefore the future heir after his father.
If George eventually has children, they will move ahead of the rest of the royal family in the line of succession.