It’s the question that pops up every time there’s a major royal event or a health scare in the news. Honestly, keeping track of the British monarchy's "waiting list" feels like trying to follow a high-stakes family tree that’s constantly growing, shifting, and—thanks to some fairly recent law changes—becoming much more modern. As of early 2026, the order of who sits where is firmly established, but it’s the smaller details and the distant cousins that usually trip people up.
Right now, King Charles III is on the throne. Even though he’s been navigating some serious health challenges recently, including a cancer diagnosis in early 2024 that dominated the headlines, the Palace shared some encouraging news at the end of 2025. Apparently, he's doing well enough that his treatment schedule is being reduced as we move into 2026. Still, the machinery of the monarchy doesn’t stop. The line of succession is a legal reality that exists whether the current King is in perfect health or not.
The Core Order: Who is in Line of the Throne
The top of the list is pretty straightforward. You’ve probably seen these names a thousand times. But once you get past the immediate family of the Prince of Wales, things start to get a bit more "Succession" (the TV show) and a bit less "common knowledge."
1. Prince William, The Prince of Wales The first in line. No surprises here. As the eldest son of King Charles, he’s been the "King-in-waiting" for most of his life.
2. Prince George of Wales William’s eldest son. He’s 12 now, and his life is already being shaped by the massive weight of this list.
3. Princess Charlotte of Wales This is where history was made. Because of the Succession to the Crown Act 2013, Charlotte kept her spot ahead of her younger brother. In the old days, a boy would have jumped the queue just for being male. Not anymore.
4. Prince Louis of Wales The youngest of William and Catherine's trio. He rounds out the immediate family block.
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5. Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex Despite all the drama, the moves to California, and the fact that he no longer uses his "HRH" title or performs official duties, Harry is still fifth in line. Period. Under the current law, his personal choices don’t automatically remove him from the succession. Only an Act of Parliament could really change that, and nobody seems to have the appetite for that kind of legal mess right now.
6. Prince Archie of Sussex Harry’s son.
7. Princess Lilibet of Sussex Harry’s daughter.
Moving Into the Extended Family
Once you get past the Sussexes, you hit the siblings of the King. Or rather, the descendants of the King's siblings. This is where people usually get confused. If everyone in the "main" line (William's family) were to suddenly become ineligible, the Crown travels "sideways" to the King's brothers and sister—but it follows their specific lines first.
8. Prince Andrew, The Duke of York Similar to Harry, Andrew is a "non-working" royal with a lot of public baggage, but he remains eighth in line.
9. Princess Beatrice Andrew's eldest daughter.
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10. Sienna Mapelli Mozzi Beatrice’s daughter.
11. Athena Mapelli Mozzi The newest addition to the top tier, born in 2025. Her arrival bumped everyone below her down a notch.
Why the Rules Changed (and Why It Matters)
For centuries, the British throne followed "male-preference primogeniture." Basically, a younger brother would always skip over an older sister. It was sexist, outdated, and finally addressed in 2011 by the leaders of the Commonwealth.
The Succession to the Crown Act 2013 officially ended this. But—and this is a big "but"—it wasn't retroactive. It only applies to those born after October 28, 2011. This is why Princess Charlotte is ahead of Prince Louis, but Princess Anne (the Princess Royal) is still way down the list behind her younger brothers, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward. If the law had been retroactive, Princess Anne would likely be much higher up.
Another huge shift? You can now marry a Roman Catholic and stay in line for the throne. Previously, that was an automatic disqualification. However, the Monarch themselves must still be a Protestant in communion with the Church of England. The King or Queen is, after all, the "Defender of the Faith."
The "What If" Scenarios
People often wonder what happens if the unthinkable occurs—like a disaster that wipes out the first five people on the list.
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The law is designed so the Crown never "dies." The moment a monarch passes away, the next person in line becomes King or Queen instantly. There is no gap. This is the "Demise of the Crown." If the entire immediate family were gone, the line would just keep moving down the list of the descendants of the Electress Sophia of Hanover.
There are actually thousands of people in the extended line of succession. Most are regular people living quiet lives in places like Germany or Norway, unaware they are technically 4,000th in line for a throne in London.
The Six-Person Rule
One quirk of the modern law is the "permission to marry" rule. Currently, only the first six people in the line of succession need the King's formal permission to get married.
- Prince William
- Prince George
- Princess Charlotte
- Prince Louis
- Prince Harry
- Prince Archie
If Archie wanted to get married today (ignoring the fact that he's a child), he would need his grandfather’s official seal. If he didn't get it and married anyway, he and his descendants would be disqualified from the throne. Princess Lilibet, being 7th, is technically free to marry whoever she wants without asking the King. Kinda wild, right?
Real-World Impact in 2026
The reason we care about who is in line of the throne right now isn't just about trivia. It’s about the stability of the state. In 2026, with King Charles III taking a "precautionary phase" in his health journey, the role of Prince William has become even more central. We’re seeing a "slimmed-down monarchy" in real-time.
When you look at the list, you’re looking at the future of the British constitutional system. If you want to keep up with the latest shifts, here is what you should actually watch for:
- New Births: Every time a royal baby is born to anyone in the top 10, the "bottom" of the list shifts.
- Parliamentary Discussions: While unlikely, any talk of a "Regency Act" (where William would act for Charles without Charles abdicating) would be a major signal.
- Title Changes: Keep an eye on Prince George. As he enters his teens, his role in public life—and his visibility as the #2—will increase significantly.
To get the most accurate, up-to-the-minute view of the line, you can always check the official Royal Family website, which maintains the first 20 or so names. For the deep-cut enthusiasts, genealogical sites like Britroyals track the list into the hundreds. Understanding the line is less about memorizing 50 names and more about understanding that the Crown is a legal entity that moves with cold, mathematical precision.