In recent years, the British Royal Family has gone through some turmoil, which has led many to ask, who is in line for the British throne? The line of succession is pretty straightforward, but could change thanks to recent events.
In 2024, King Charles revealed he was undergoing cancer treatment and still is to this day. Princess Catherine also shared her cancer diagnosis and subsequent recovery.
Both events, plus King Charles stripping his brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor of his royal titles, had led the public to wonder 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, is the firstborn son of the 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, is the second-born son of the current sovereign King Charles III. He and his children are still in line for the throne despite Harry and Meghan no longer being HRHs and Harry also gave up his military titles.
- Prince Archie of Sussex, Harry’s firstborn.
- Princess Lilibet of Sussex, Harry’s second-born.
- Former Prince and former Duke of York, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, 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.
How is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor still in line to the British throne?
While Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is no longer a prince and holds no royal titles, he is still technically in line to the throne. The first royal to be arrested is likely to be removed from the line of succession; it could just be a matter of when, not if.
Following his recent arrest, on his 66th birthday, the UK government is reportedly considering legislative action to remove him.
His daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie and their respective children also remain in the line of succession (6th to 13th respectively). Despite their parents losing their royal titles, the sisters remain princesses and keep their HRH titles. It’s unclear whether removing Andrew from the line of succession would remove his daughters and grandchildren as well.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has backed plans to remove him from the order of succession.
In a letter to the UK’s Prime Minister Kier Starmer, he shared his support:
Dear Prime Minister Starmer, in light of recent events concerning Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, I am writing to confirm that my government would agree to any proposal to remove him from the line of royal succession.
“I agree with His Majesty that the law must now take its full course and there must be a full, fair and proper investigation.
“These are grave allegations and Australians take them seriously.”
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, 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.
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