You’ve probably seen the photos of the royal family standing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. Everyone is smiling, the hats are enormous, and the jewelry costs more than a small island. But have you ever looked at that lineup and wondered who actually gets the crown if something happens? It’s not just a random group of relatives. There’s a very specific, legally binding order.
Honestly, the British line of succession is kinda like a high-stakes waiting room.
Right now, King Charles III is the boss. But behind him is a long list of people who are technically "next." Most people can name the first two or three, but after that, things get a bit messy. Did you know that Prince Harry is still in the mix despite moving to California? Or that a massive law change a few years ago completely flipped the script for the younger generation?
Who Is Next In Line to the British Throne Right Now?
Let’s get the big one out of the way. Prince William is the heir apparent. He’s number one. There is no world where he doesn't become King next, unless he chooses to step aside—which, let's be real, is pretty unlikely. He’s been training for this since he was a kid.
When William eventually takes the throne, his wife Catherine (the Princess of Wales) becomes Queen Consort. She doesn't "rule" in her own right, but she’ll be the one wearing the Crown Jewels.
But what happens after William? That’s where the kids come in.
The New Generation: George, Charlotte, and Louis
- Prince George of Wales: He’s second in line. He's only 12, but he’s already being "gently" introduced to the idea that he’ll be King George VII one day.
- Princess Charlotte of Wales: She is third. This is where history was actually made.
- Prince Louis of Wales: The youngest, currently fourth.
Here is the thing. Before 2013, if a girl was born first and then a boy came along, the boy would jump ahead of her. It was called male-preference primogeniture. Basically, the guys always won. But the Succession to the Crown Act 2013 changed everything. It basically said, "Hey, it's the 21st century." Now, it’s strictly based on birth order.
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Because of this, Princess Charlotte is the first female royal in British history to keep her spot ahead of a younger brother. If this law had existed when Princess Anne was born, she would be much higher up the list than she is now. Poor Anne is currently stuck way down at number 17, even though she's the King's second-oldest sibling.
The "Spare" Problem: Where Prince Harry Fits In
There’s been a ton of drama around Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. They quit the "working royal" life, moved to the States, and started their own thing. People keep asking: Is Harry still in line?
Yes. He’s fifth.
He didn't lose his place in the succession just because he stopped opening community centers and moved to Montecito. To remove someone from the line of succession, you’d actually need an Act of Parliament. It’s a huge legal headache that nobody really wants to touch.
His kids are right behind him, too:
- Prince Archie of Sussex is sixth.
- Princess Lilibet of Sussex is seventh.
They have their titles now, but they’re growing up as American kids. It’s a weird dynamic. They are literally a heartbeat away from the most famous throne on Earth, but they’re probably more worried about soccer practice and school projects in California.
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The Rest of the List: It Gets Crowded
Once you get past the Sussexes, you hit the "extended" family. It’s a lot of names you might recognize from the tabloids.
Prince Andrew is eighth. Despite all the scandals and being stripped of his "HRH" styling, he’s still in the line of succession. Again, it’s that legal thing—it’s very hard to kick someone out of the line they were born into.
After Andrew, it goes to his daughters:
- Princess Beatrice is ninth.
- Sienna Mapelli Mozzi (Beatrice’s daughter) is tenth.
- Princess Eugenie is eleventh.
- August Brooksbank (Eugenie’s son) is twelfth.
- Ernest Brooksbank (Eugenie’s younger son) is thirteenth.
Then you have Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, at fourteen. His kids, James and Louise, follow him. Interestingly, James (the Earl of Wessex) is ahead of his older sister, Lady Louise. Why? Because they were born before the 2013 law change. The new rules weren't retroactive for everyone, only for those born after October 2011.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Throne
There’s a common misconception that if the King "retires," the crown can just skip a person. People used to say, "Oh, Charles should just let William be King."
That’s not how it works.
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The crown passes automatically the second a monarch dies (or abdicates). It’s an instant legal transfer. You can’t just pick your favorite relative like you’re choosing a team captain.
Another big myth? Religion. You used to be disqualified if you married a Roman Catholic. The 2013 Act fixed that, too. You can now marry whoever you want and stay in line. However—and this is a big "however"—the Monarch themselves still cannot be Roman Catholic. They have to be in communion with the Church of England because the King is the "Defender of the Faith."
The Actionable Truth for Royal Watchers
If you’re trying to keep track of this, don't focus on the titles—focus on the parents. The line of succession is basically a tree that grows downwards before it grows sideways.
Every time Prince William has a child, everyone from Prince Harry downwards moves one step further away from the throne. If Prince George has three kids one day, Harry will drop even lower. It’s a math game.
If you want to stay truly informed about the future of the monarchy, keep an eye on these three specific things:
- Parliamentary Discussions: If there is ever actual talk of "removing" someone from the line (like Harry or Andrew), it will happen in the House of Commons, not just via a palace press release.
- The 2013 Act Nuances: Remember that gender equality only applies to those born after 2011. This is why Princess Anne is still "behind" her younger brothers.
- The "Counsellors of State" List: This is a different list. It’s the group of people who can step in if the King is sick. It usually includes the first few adults in the line of succession, but the King recently added Princess Anne and Prince Edward to the mix to ensure he had enough "working" royals to cover for him.
The British throne is a weird mix of ancient tradition and modern law. It’s stable, yet constantly shifting with every birth and every new Act of Parliament. For now, the path is clear: William, then George. Everything else is just a very fascinating, very royal backup plan.