It’s been one year and seven months since Britain and the world grieved the passing of Queen Elizabeth II after she ruled for 70 years. After witnessing the coronation of King Charles III in May 2023, you may wonder who would rule after the new monarch. Well, think no further. These 15 royals are the next successors to the throne in the correct order.
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge
As the first son of King Charles III, Prince William holds the first position in line to be king. After Queen Elizabeth II passed and his father ascended the throne, he inherited two additional titles. As the Duke of Cornwall and Cambridge, his wife, Kate Middleton, has become the Duchess. They’re also the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the latter is unique as it was last previously held by his late mother, Princess Diana.
Prince George of Cambridge
Prince George will rule after his father, as he’s the oldest child of Prince William and second in line to the throne. Although this may take decades, it’s worth mentioning that King Henry VI holds the record as the youngest monarch in British history after he started ruling at just eight months and 26 days.
Princess Charlotte of Cambridge
The third heir to the throne and highest-ranked female is Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, the young daughter of Prince William and Duchess Kate. Thanks to a recent law enacted by Parliament in 2011, which ended the original male-heir preference, she will not be overlooked like Princess Anne. One day, she might become a queen like her great-grandma, Queen Elizabeth.
Prince Louis of Cambridge
On April 23, 2018, Prince William welcomed his youngest child and the fourth in line to sit on the throne. However, he would only become king if both his siblings didn’t have children or decided to relinquish their right to the throne. He attends several royal events and makes public appearances, making him loved by many worldwide.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, is the younger son of the Prince and Princess of Wales. He was born Prince Henry of Wales on September 15, 1984, but the media now address him as Prince Harry. He married Meghan Markle in 2018, and in early 2020, they decided to relinquish their roles as senior members of the royal house.
Prince Archie Mountbatten-Windsor
Archie is sixth in line to the British throne and is the first mixed-race baby born into the British royal family in modern times. After his birth, he was named Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor without a royal title. However, he officially became a Prince when his grandfather, King Charles III, was crowned in September 2022.
Princess Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor
On June 4, 2021, the seventh successor was born in the United States without a royal title. However, according to a Letters Patent by King George V in 1917, Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor was included in the line of heirs. Her parents gave her “Lilibet,” a family nickname for Queen Elizabeth II, while “Diana” was given to honor the memory of her late grandmother.
Prince Andrew, Duke of York
Prince Andrew, the immediate younger brother of the king, served in the British Royal Navy for over two decades, including during the Falklands War. He stepped back from public duties in 2019 due to his ties with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted offender, and an assault case that reportedly cost him $16 million.
Princess Beatrice of York
The eldest daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, is the ninth successor to the British throne and the third-highest ranking female in the royal line after Princess Charlotte and Princess Lilibet. She is known for her charitable work and public appearances representing the royal house. She married property developer Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in July 2020.
Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi
Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi had their first child in July 2020, months after a small wedding ceremony due to lockdown restrictions. They named her Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi to honor Queen Elizabeth, Princess Beatrice’s grandmother. The young girl is now 10th in line after her mother.
Princess Eugenie of York
Aged 34, Princess Eugenie of York, or Mrs. Jack Brooksbank, is the 11th heir to the throne. She has a degree in English literature and art history from Newcastle University. The late queen’s granddaughter is known for her charity work and advocacy for various causes. Despite her private life, she still carries out her official royal duties.
August Philip Hawke Brooksbank
Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank welcomed their son, August Philip Hawke Brooksbank, in February 2021. They introduced him to the world with a series of photos their midwife took. According to the parents, his middle name was Prince Philip’s, Queen Elizabeth’s husband. He currently holds the 12th position in the line of succession.
Ernest George Ronnie Brooksbank
The second child in the Brooksbank family is also the 13th British heir, born in May 2023. In an interview, Eugenie mentioned that they gave him the name of his great-great-great-grandfather King George V, his paternal grandfather, and his maternal grandfather Ronald.
Edward, Duke of Edinburgh
Prince Edward became Earl of Wessex right before he wedded Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999, but he no longer holds that title. On his 59th birthday in March 2023, his older brother, King Charles III, made him the Duke of Edinburgh, a title last held by their late father, Prince Philip. He is the 14th heir to lead Britain after King Charles III.
James, Earl of Wessex
Since Buckingham Palace confirmed that Prince Edward’s children will not inherit his title after his demise, his second child will assume his father’s previous position. Currently, the 15th in line is the Earl of Wessex due to an old, defunct rule that favored him over his older sister.
