Who will succeed Queen Elizabeth to the British throne when she dies

[super jumbe]

Who will succeed Queen Elizabeth to the British throne when she dies and where is the new royal baby in line? Succession rules explained.



Who will become the King after Queen Elizabeth?

The throne will pass to Prince Charles if the Queen abdicates, retires or dies – and according to reports, abdication could be a real possibility.

Her Majesty is said to have told her inner circle that if she is still on the throne at the age of 95, she will ask for a piece of legislation to grant her eldest son full power to reign while she is alive.

Royal commentator Robert Jobson told the Mail On Sunday he has spoken to a number of high-ranking courtiers who say preparations for the transition of the Crown are gaining pace.

Next in line after Charles would be his eldest son Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, and his children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and the new unborn baby.

Prince Harry - who was third in line to the throne in 2013 - is now sixth in line.

The next King or Queen will be the 42nd monarch to reign since William the Conqueror of Normandy obtained the English crown following the Battle of Hastings in 1066.



How does Royal succession work?

The rules of Royal succession have changed significantly in recent years.

Leaders of 16 British Commonwealth countries (including Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Jamaica) voted in 2011 to alter the centuries old tradition to include daughters as well as sons.

Previously daughters could only inherit the thrones if there were no living sons.

This system which dated back 300 years is based on the rules of primogeniture which gives preference to the first born male heirs of a king or queen.

This change in Royal succession means Princess Charlotte, as William and Kate's daughter, is ahead of Prince Harry in the line of succession.

The oldest male heir and his oldest male child - and their sons and daughters - still take priority in the Royal succession.

Commonwealth leaders also decided in 2011 to remove the rule that no heir could assume the throne if he or she were married to a Roman Catholic.

Then Prime Minister David Cameron said at the time: “The idea that a younger son should become Monarch instead of an elder daughter, simply because he is a man just isn’t acceptable any more.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/385695...cession-rules/