By now, you’ve undoubtedly heard that King Charles III was diagnosed with cancer in February 2024.
And one year on, Charles has seemingly made a full recovery.
But this hasn’t deterred the public from wondering who will take over one day when he passes or abdicates the throne (the latter being very unlikely)…
What is the current royal order of succession?
- Prince William, the Prince of Wales, the firstborn son of current sovereign King Charles III.
- Prince George of Wales, William’s firstborn.
- Princess Charlotte of Wales, William’s second-born.
- Prince Louis of Wales, William’s third-born.
- Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, the second-born son of current sovereign King Charles III.
- Prince Archie of Sussex, Harry’s firstborn.
- Princess Lilibet of Sussex, Harry’s second-born.
- Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, the second-born son (third-born child) of the previous sovereign, the late Queen Elizabeth II.
- Princess Beatrice, Mrs Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, the Duke of York’s firstborn.
- Miss Sienna Mapelli Mozzi, Beatrice’s firstborn.
- Miss Athena Mapelli Mozzi, Beatrice’s second-born
- Princess Eugenie, Mrs Jack Brooksbank, the Duke of York’s second-born.
- Master August Brooksbank, Eugenie’s firstborn.
- Master Ernest Brooksbank, Eugenie’s second-born.
- Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh, the third-born son (fourth-born child) of the previous sovereign, the late Queen Elizabeth II.
- James, Earl of Wessex, Edward’s firstborn son (second-born child).
- Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, Edward’s firstborn.
- Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, the second-born child of the previous sovereign, the late Queen Elizabeth II.
- Mr Peter Phillips, Anne’s firstborn.
- Miss Savannah Phillips, Peter’s firstborn.
- Miss Isla Phillips, Peter’s second-born.
- Mrs Zara Tindall, Anne’s second-born.
- Miss Mia Tindall, Zara’s firstborn.
- Miss Lena Tindall, Zara’s second-born.
- Master Lucas Tindall, Zara’s third-born.
Why is Princess Anne not in the line of succession?
Princess Anne is in the line of succession. As of 2025, she’s 18th in line to the throne.
Is Camilla in the line of succession?
Queen Camilla is not in the line of succession; neither is Princess Catherine or Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex. This is because they married into the royal family rather than being born into the royal family.
Why is Edward before Anne in succession?
You’ll notice that both of Princess Anne’s younger brothers, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, are ahead of her in the line of succession.
This is because, before 2013, sons were given precedence over daughters. Older sisters born into the royal family were moved down in the order of succession if their parents gave birth to a younger son.
However, this is no longer the case, thanks to the Succession to the Crown Act 2013. The legislation was passed on April 25, 2013, and decreed that succession to the Crown would no longer depend on gender.
Anne still is below her brothers though because the Succession to the Crown Act 2013 only affects royals who were born after October 28, 2011.
You’ll see that Prince Edward’s son James is higher in the line of succession than his older sister Louise, as they were both born before 2011.
But Princess Charlotte made history in 2018 when her younger brother Louis was born; she was the first female in the royal family whose spot in the line of succession wasn’t affected by the arrival of a little brother.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
