History of the English and British line of succession

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Since William the Conqueror claimed the English throne, succession has been determined by bequest, battle, primogeniture, and parliament.

William I[]

On his deathbed, William the Conqueror accorded the Duchy of Normandy to his eldest son Robert Curthose, the Kingdom of England to his son William Rufus, and money for his youngest son Henry Beauclerc for him to buy land. Thus, with William I's death on 9 September 1087, the heir to the throne was:

  1. William Rufus (b. 1056), son of William I

William II[]

William II had no children. He and his elder brother Robert previously agreed to be each other's heir. However, on his death, on 2 August 1100, Robert was away on crusade. Their younger brother, Henry Beauclerc, had the nobility elect him as king. Henry later warred with Robert and by treaty was recognized as king.

Henry I[]

The succession to Henry I was altered by the death of his son, William Adelin. Left without male heirs, Henry took the unprecedented step of making his barons swear to accept his daughter Empress Matilda, widow of Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor, as his heir. However, her cousin, Stephen of Blois (the third son of Adela of Normandy) gained the support of the barons and usurped the throne, claiming that Henry had changed his mind on his deathbed. This act provoked a seventeen-year long civil war between him and the forces loyal to Matilda.

Stephen[]

An artist's impression of the negotiation for the throne of England between Stephen of Blois and Henry of Anjou during the Anarchy which was resolved by the Treaty of Wallingford in 1153.

The succession to Stephen was altered by the death of his son Eustace, whom he wished to have crowned king during his own lifetime (in imitation of the Capetian monarchy). Though Stephen still had a son, William, the boy was still young and unprepared to challenge Matilda's son, Henry of Anjou for the throne.

Under the terms of the Treaty of Wallingford that ended the Anarchy, Stephen agreed to make Henry his successor. Thus, on the day of Stephen's death, 25 October 1154, Henry became King Henry II.

Henry II[]

The succession to Henry II was altered by the death of his son, Henry the Young King, who was crowned king while his father still lived. Henry II had wished to divide his lands among his children upon his death, but was forced to sign the unfavorable treaty of Azay-le-Rideau on 4 July 1189 (two days before his death) with the king of France and his rebellious sons, by which he recognized his eldest son Richard as sole heir.

On the day of Henry II's death, 6 July 1189, the throne passed smoothly to his eldest living son: Richard I.

Richard I[]

Richard had no legitimate children. On the day of his death, 6 April 1199, if the line of succession to the English throne had followed primogeniture, he would have been succeeded by his nephew Arthur I, Duke of Brittany (b. 1187), son of Richard I's brother Geoffrey, Duke of Brittany. However, since Arthur had sided with Philip II of France, Richard's enemy, Richard named his younger brother John as his heir, and he became king.

John[]

John died, on 19 October 1216, in the midst of conflict against his barons; most of them had already recognized Prince Louis of France as king. However, with John's death, his barons saw his young son as a safer option. John's eldest son became Henry III, and the French were driven away from the country.

Henry III[]

On Henry III's death, on 16 November 1272, the throne passed to his eldest son, Edward I.

Edward I[]

On Edward I's death, on 7 July 1307, the throne passed to his eldest surviving son, Edward II.

Edward II[]

On the day of Edward II's abdication, 25 January 1327, the throne passed to his eldest son, Edward III.

Edward III[]

The succession to Edward III was governed according to his entail to the crown in 1376.[1] On his death, on 21 June 1377, the line of succession to the English throne was:

  1. Richard of Bordeaux, Prince of Wales (b. 1367), son of Edward III's son Edward, the Black Prince (b. 1330)
  2. John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (b. 1340), son of Edward III
  3. Henry Bolingbroke (b. 1367), son of John, Duke of Lancaster
  4. Edmund of Langley, Earl of Cambridge (b. 1341), son of Edward III
  5. Edward of Norwich (b. 1373), son of Edmund, Earl of Cambridge
  6. Thomas of Woodstock, Earl of Essex (b. 1355), son of Edward III

The throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became Richard II.

Richard II[]

After the death of Richard's uncle, John of Gaunt, in 1399, the two main contenders to be Richard II's heir were:

Richard disinherited Henry, who was in exile, but Richard was deposed and Bolingbroke became king as Henry IV.[2]

Henry IV[]

Henry had justified his usurpation by emphasizing his descent in the male line. Thus, the Lancastrian line of succession is agnatic, similar to the French succession.

On the day of Henry IV's death, 20 March 1413, the line of succession to the English throne following agnatic primogeniture was:

  1. Henry of Monmouth, Prince of Wales (b. 1386), son of Henry IV
  2. Thomas, Duke of Clarence (b. 1387), son of Henry IV
  3. John (b. 1389), son of Henry IV
  4. Humphrey (b. 1390), son of Henry IV
  5. Edward of Norwich, Duke of York (b. 1373), son of Edmund, 1st Duke of York
  6. Richard of Conisburgh, Earl of Cambridge (b. 1385), son of Edmund, 1st Duke of York
  7. Richard of York (b. 1411), son of Richard, Earl of Cambridge

Upon his death, the throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became Henry V.

Henry V[]

On the day of Henry V's death, 31 August 1422, the line of succession following agnatic primogeniture was:

  1. Henry, Duke of Cornwall (b. 1421), son of Henry V
  2. John, Duke of Bedford (b. 1389), brother of Henry V
  3. Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester (b. 1390), brother of Henry V
  4. Richard of York (b. 1411), son of Richard, Earl of Cambridge

Upon his death, the throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became Henry VI.

Henry VI (first instance)[]

On the day of Henry VI's first deposition, 4 March 1461, the line of succession following agnatic primogeniture was;

  1. Edward of Westminster, Prince of Wales (b. 1453), son of Henry VI
  2. Edward, Duke of York (b. 1442), son of Richard, 3rd Duke of York
  3. George Plantagenet (b. 1449), son of Richard, 3rd Duke of York
  4. Richard Plantagenet (b. 1452), son of Richard, 3rd Duke of York

However, during the Wars of the Roses, Henry VI was forcibly deposed by his third cousin twice removed, Edward, Duke of York, who became Edward IV.

Edward IV (first instance)[]

On the day of Edward IV's deposition, 3 October 1470, the line of succession following male-preference primogeniture was;

  1. George, Duke of Clarence (b. 1449), brother of Edward IV
  2. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (b. 1452), brother of Edward IV

However, Edward IV was deposed, and the throne was restored to Henry VI, the previous monarch, during the period known as the Readeption of Henry VI.

Henry VI (second instance)[]

On the day of Henry VI's second deposition, 11 April 1471, the line of succession following agnatic primogeniture was:

  1. Edward of Westminster, Prince of Wales (b. 1453), son of Henry VI
    • Edward Plantagenet (b. 1442), son of Richard, 3rd Duke of York. Edward was debarred from the succession due to his attainder.
    • Edward Plantagenet (b. 1470), son of Edward Plantagenet. Edward was also debarred from the succession due to his father's attainder.
  2. George, Duke of Clarence (b. 1449), son of Richard, 3rd Duke of York
    • Richard Plantagenet (b. 1452), son of Richard, 3rd Duke of York. Richard was debarred from the succession due to his attainder.

However, Henry was defeated in the Battle of Barnet and deposed. He died in the Tower of London on 21 May 1471, seventeen days after the final Yorkist victory in the Battle of Tewkesbury.

Edward IV (second instance)[]

On the day of Edward IV's death, 9 April 1483, the line of succession following male-preference primogeniture was:

  1. Edward, Prince of Wales (b. 1470), son of Edward IV
  2. Richard, Duke of York (b. 1473), son of Edward IV
    • Edward, Earl of Warwick (b. 1475), son of George, Duke of Clarence. Edward was debarred from the succession due to his father's attainder.
  3. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (b. 1452), son of Richard, 3rd Duke of York
  4. Edward of Middleham (b. 1473), son of Richard, Duke of Gloucester

Upon his death, the throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became Edward V.

Edward V[]

On the day of Edward V's deposition, 25 June 1483, the line of succession following male-preference primogeniture was:

  1. Richard, Duke of York (b. 1473), son of Edward IV
    • Edward, Earl of Warwick (b. 1475), son of George, Duke of Clarence. Edward was debarred from the succession due to his father's attainder.
  2. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (b. 1452), son of Richard, 3rd Duke of York
  3. Edward of Middleham (b. 1473), son of Richard, Duke of Gloucester

The throne was usurped by Edward V's uncle, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, who claimed that Edward V (and all his siblings) were illegitimate and therefore could not ascend the throne. Gloucester, as the following heir through primogeniture, became Richard III.

Richard III[]

Until the day of Richard III's death, 22 August 1485, he had recognized the children of his sister, Elizabeth of York, Duchess of Suffolk as his heirs:

  1. John de la Pole, Earl of Lincoln, the Duchess of Suffolk's first son
  2. Edmund de la Pole, the Duchess of Suffolk's fourth son
  3. William de la Pole, the Duchess of Suffolk's sixth son
  4. Richard de la Pole, the Duchess of Suffolk's seventh son

However, Richard III was killed at the Battle of Bosworth Field, and he was succeeded by the victor of the battle, Henry Tudor, 2nd Earl of Richmond, a descendant in a legitimated line of John of Gaunt. He became Henry VII. He also buffered his claim by marrying Elizabeth of York, daughter of Edward IV, his heir by male-preference primogeniture upon the deaths of her brothers.

Henry VII[]

On the day of Henry VII's death, 21 April 1509, the throne passed to his only living son, Henry VIII.

Henry VIII[]

On the day of Henry VIII's death, 28 January 1547, the line of succession was governed by the Third Succession Act:

1. Edward, Prince of Wales (b. 1537), only legitimate son of Henry VIII
2. Lady Mary (b. 1516), elder daughter of Henry VIII
3. Lady Elizabeth (b. 1533), younger daughter of Henry VIII
Descendants of Henry's elder sister Margaret, Queen of Scots who would have been next in line were excluded by Henry's will:
Also excluded by Henry's will were the daughters of his younger sister Mary, Queen of France (Frances Grey and Eleanor Clifford), but not the granddaughters:
4. Lady Jane Grey (b. 1536/7), Frances Grey's eldest daughter (later briefly queen regnant)
5. Lady Katherine Grey (b. 1540), Frances Grey's second daughter
6. Lady Mary Grey (b. 1545), Frances Grey's third daughter
7. Lady Margaret Clifford (b. 1540), Eleanor Clifford's daughter

Upon Henry's death, the throne passed to Henry's son, who became Edward VI.

Edward VI[]

On the day of Edward VI's death, 6 July 1553, the line of succession to the English throne was as follows according to the will of Henry VIII, which excluded the descendants of his elder sister, Margaret, Queen of Scotland (note: Henry VIII's will was signed with a dry stamp rather than his hand, a technicality that eventually allowed the Stuarts to succeed):

  1. Lady Mary (b. 1516), first daughter of Henry VIII
  2. Lady Elizabeth (b. 1533), second daughter of Henry VIII
  3. Lady Jane Dudley (b. 1536/7), Frances Brandon's eldest daughter
  4. Katherine, Lady Herbert of Cardiff (b. 1540), Frances Brandon's second daughter
  5. Lady Mary Grey (b. 1545), Frances Brandon's third daughter
  6. Lady Margaret Clifford (b. 1540), daughter of Frances Brandon's sister, Eleanor, Countess of Cumberland

Edward VI left a Device for the Succession, in an attempt to remove the peculiarity of his sisters' illegitimacy and rights of succession. The validity of the device was challenged after his death. In Edward's Device,

Henry VIII's two illegitimate (by the Third Succession Act) daughters were excluded:
  • Lady Mary (b. 1516), first daughter of Henry VIII
  • Lady Elizabeth (b. 1533), second daughter of Henry VIII
Descendants of Henry's elder sister Margaret, Queen of Scots were excluded by Henry's will:
Following his father's will, Edward left out his cousins, Frances Grey and Eleanor Clifford
  • Frances Grey, Duchess of Suffolk (b. 1517), daughter of Henry's sister Mary
  1. Lady Jane Dudley (b. 1536/7), Frances Brandon's eldest daughter
  2. Katherine, Lady Herbert of Cardiff (b. 1540), Frances Brandon's second daughter
  3. Lady Mary Grey (b. 1545), Frances Brandon's third daughter
  4. Lady Margaret Clifford (b. 1540), daughter of Frances Brandon's sister, Eleanor Clifford, Countess of Cumberland

Upon his death, the first person in line per Edward's Device was proclaimed Queen Jane. Within days, Lady Mary claimed the throne as Mary I.

Mary I[]

On the day of Mary I's death, 17 November 1558, the throne passed to her half-sister, who became Elizabeth I.

Elizabeth I[]

Further information: Succession to Elizabeth I of England

During her reign, Elizabeth I never named a successor. On the day of Elizabeth's death, 24 March 1603, Elizabeth's potential heirs were from the lines of her father's two sisters:

Descendants of Henry VIII's elder sister, Margaret, Queen of Scots, were excluded by Henry's Will:
Descendants of Henry VIII's younger sister, Mary, Duchess of Suffolk, were junior in terms of primogeniture, but were placed as heirs after Henry VIII's own descendants. Descendants through Lady Katherine Grey, Mary's granddaughter, and were not considered legitimate at the time:
  • Edward Seymour, Lord Beauchamp (b. 1561), great-grandson of Mary Tudor
  • The Hon Edward Seymour (b. 1586), Lord Beauchamp's first son
  • The Hon William Seymour (b. 1588), Lord Beauchamp's second son
  • The Hon Francis Seymour (b. c. 1590), Lord Beauchamp's third son
  • The Hon Honora Seymour (b. b. 1594), Lord Beauchamp's first daughter
  • The Hon Anne Seymour, Lord Beauchamp's second daughter
  • The Hon Mary Seymour, Lord Beauchamp's third daughter
The only legitimate heirs according to Henry VIII's will were the descendants of his younger sister, Mary's, granddaughter Margaret Stanley, Countess of Derby:
  1. Lady Anne Stanley (b. 1580), great-great-granddaughter of Mary Tudor
  2. Lady Frances Egerton (b. 1583), Lady Anne's sister
  3. Lady Elizabeth Hastings (b. 1587), Lady Anne's sister
  4. William Stanley, 6th Earl of Derby (b. 1561), Lady Anne's uncle

Upon Elizabeth's death, despite Henry VIII's will, the throne passed to King James VI of Scotland, who became James I of England.

James I[]

On the day of James I's death, 27 March 1625, the line of succession to the English throne was:

  1. Charles, Prince of Wales (b. 1600) James I's son
  2. Elizabeth of Bohemia (b. 1596) James I's daughter
  3. Prince Frederick Henry von der Pfalz (b. 1614) Elizabeth's first son
  4. Prince Charles Louis von der Pfalz (b. 1617) Elizabeth's second son
  5. Prince Rupert von der Pfalz (b. 1619) Elizabeth's third son
  6. Prince Maurice von der Pfalz (b. 1620) Elizabeth's fourth son
  7. Princess Elisabeth von der Pfalz (b. 1618) Elizabeth's first daughter
  8. Princess Louise von der Pfalz (b. 1622) Elizabeth's second daughter
  9. William Seymour, Lord Beauchamp (b. 1588) James I's third cousin, twice removed via James' great-great-grandfather Henry VII
  10. William Seymour (b. 1621) William's eldest son

Upon his death, the throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became Charles I.

Charles I[]

When Charles I was beheaded on 30 January 1649 the line of succession to the English and Scottish thrones was:

  1. Charles, Prince of Wales (b. 1630) Charles I's 1st son
  2. Prince James, Duke of York (b. 1633) Charles I's 2nd son
  3. Prince Henry (b. 1639) Charles I's 3rd son
  4. Mary, Princess Royal and Princess of Orange (b. 1631) Charles I's 1st daughter
  5. Princess Elizabeth of England (b. 1635) Charles I's 2nd daughter
  6. Princess Henrietta Anne of England (b. 1644) Charles I's 3rd daughter
  7. Elizabeth of Bohemia (b. 1596) Charles I's sister
  8. Charles I Louis, Elector Palatine (b. 1617) Elizabeth of Bohemia's 2nd son
  9. Prince Rupert of the Rhine (b. 1619) Elizabeth of Bohemia's 3rd son
  10. Prince Maurice von Simmern (b. 1620) Elizabeth of Bohemia's 4th son

However, the monarchy in England was abolished and Oliver Cromwell became Lord Protector. After Cromwell's death, the monarchy was restored in 1660 under Charles I's eldest son, Charles II.

Charles II[]

On the day of Charles II death, 6 February 1685, the line of succession to the English and Scottish thrones was:

  1. Prince James, Duke of York, (b. 1633) Charles II's brother
  2. Princess Mary of Orange, (b. 1662) Prince James's 1st daughter
  3. Princess Anne of Denmark and Norway, (b. 1665) Prince James's 2nd daughter
  4. Prince William of Orange, (b. 1650) Charles II's nephew via Mary, Princess Royal and Princess of Orange
  5. Maria Luisa of Orléans, Queen of Spain (b. 1662) Charles II's niece via Henrietta Anne Stuart
  6. Anne Marie of Orléans, Duchess of Savoy (b. 1669) Maria Luisa's sister
  7. Charles II, Elector Palatine (b. 1651) Charles II's cousin once removed via aunt Elizabeth of Bohemia
  8. Elisabeth Charlotte, Duchess of Orleans (b. 1652) sister of Charles II Elector Palatine
  9. Philippe, Duke of Chartres (b. 1674) Elisabeth Charlotte's son
  10. Princess Elisabeth Charlotte of Orleans (b. 1676) Elisabeth Charlotte's daughter

On his death, the throne passed to the first in line, who became James II.

James II[]

On the day that James II fled the country, 11 December 1688, the line of succession to the English and Scottish thrones was:

  1. James, Prince of Wales (b. 1688) James II's son
  2. Mary, Princess of Orange (b. 1662) James II's 1st daughter
  3. Princess Anne of Denmark and Norway (b. 1665) James II's 2nd daughter
  4. William III, Prince of Orange (b. 1650) James II's nephew via sister Mary, Princess Royal and Princess of Orange
  5. Maria Luisa, Queen of Spain (b. 1662) James II's niece via sister Henrietta Anne Stuart
  6. Anne Marie, Duchess of Savoy (b. 1669) Maria Luisa's sister
  7. Princess Marie-Adélaïde of Savoy (b. 1685) Anne Marie's 1st daughter
  8. Princess Marie Anne of Orléans (b. 1687) Anne Marie's 2nd daughter
  9. Maria Luisa of Savoy (b. 1688) Anne Marie's 3rd daughter
  10. Elisabeth Charlotte, Duchess of Orleans (b. 1652), James II's 1st cousin once removed via aunt Elizabeth of Bohemia

Parliament offered the throne jointly to James II's elder daughter, who became Mary II, and her husband and first cousin, William III.

William III & Mary II[]

The Bill of Rights 1689 established that, whichever of the joint monarchs, William III and Mary II, died first, the other would reign alone. As Mary II died first, on 28 December 1694, William III became sole remaining monarch. On the day of Mary's death, the line of succession to the English and Scottish thrones was:

  1. Princess Anne of Denmark (b. 1665) Mary II's sister
  2. Prince William of Denmark and Norway, Duke of Gloucester (b. 1689) Anne's only surviving child

William III[]

On the day of William III's death, 8 March 1702, the line of succession to the English throne was determined by the Act of Settlement 1701:

  1. Princess Anne of Denmark (b. 1665), sister of the king's late wife and daughter of James II
  2. Sophia, Electress of Hanover (b. 1630), Anne's first cousin once removed
  3. George Louis, Elector of Hanover (b. 1660), first son of Electress Sophia
  4. George Augustus, Electoral Prince of Hanover (b. 1683), son of the Elector of Hanover
  5. Princess Sophia Dorothea of Hanover (b. 1687), daughter of the Elector
  6. Prince Christian Henry of Hanover (b. 1671), fifth son of Electress Sophia
  7. Prince Ernest Augustus of Hanover (b. 1674), sixth son of Electress Sophia
  8. Sophia Charlotte, Queen in Prussia (b. 1668), only daughter of Electress Sophia
  9. Frederick William, Crown Prince of Prussia (b. 1688), younger son of Queen Sophia Charlotte

The line of succession to the Scottish throne was governed by the Claim of Right Act 1689:

  1. Princess Anne of Denmark (b. 1665), sister of the king's late wife

Upon his death, the throne passed to the first person in line, who became Queen Anne.

The succession continued with the monarchs of Great Britain.

Anne[]

On the day of Anne's death, 1 August 1714, the line of succession to the British throne was determined by the Act of Settlement 1701:

  1. George Louis, Elector of Hanover (b. 1660), eldest son of Sophia, Electress of Hanover, who died less than two months earlier
  2. George Augustus, Electoral Prince of Hanover (b. 1683), only son of the Elector of Hanover
  3. Prince Frederick of Hanover (b. 1707), only son of the Electoral Prince of Hanover
  4. Princess Anne of Hanover (b. 1709), eldest daughter of the Electoral Prince of Hanover
  5. Princess Amelia of Hanover (b. 1711), second daughter of the Electoral Prince of Hanover
  6. Princess Caroline of Hanover (b. 1713), third daughter of the Electoral Prince of Hanover
  7. Sophia Dorothea, Queen in Prussia (b. 1687), only daughter of the Elector of Hanover
  8. Frederick, Crown Prince of Prussia (b. 1712), third son of Queen Sophia Dorothea
  9. Princess Wilhelmine of Prussia (b. 1709), elder daughter of Queen Sophia Dorothea
  10. Prince Ernest Augustus of Hanover (b. 1674), sixth son of Electress Sophia

Upon her death, the throne passed to the first person in line, who became George I.

George I[]

On the day of George I's death, 11 June 1727, the line of succession to the British throne was:

  1. George, Prince of Wales (b. 1683), only son of George I
  2. Prince Frederick, Duke of Edinburgh (b. 1707), eldest son of the Prince of Wales
  3. Prince William, Duke of Cumberland (b. 1721), third son of the Prince of Wales
  4. Princess Anne (b. 1709), eldest daughter of the Prince of Wales
  5. Princess Amelia (b. 1711), second daughter of the Prince of Wales
  6. Princess Caroline (b. 1713), third daughter of the Prince of Wales
  7. Princess Mary (b. 1723), fourth daughter of the Prince of Wales
  8. Princess Louise (b. 1724), fifth daughter of the Prince of Wales
  9. Sophia Dorothea, Queen in Prussia (b. 1687), only daughter of George I
  10. Frederick, Crown Prince of Prussia (b. 1712), third son of Queen Sophia Dorothea

Upon his death, the throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became George II.

George II[]

On the day of George II's death, 25 October 1760, the line of succession to the British throne was:

  1. George, Prince of Wales (b. 1738), eldest son of Frederick, Prince of Wales, George II's deceased eldest son
  2. Prince Edward, Duke of York (b. 1739), second son of Frederick, Prince of Wales
  3. Prince William Henry (b. 1743), third son of Frederick, Prince of Wales
  4. Prince Henry (b. 1745), fourth son of Frederick, Prince of Wales
  5. Prince Frederick (b. 1750), fifth son of Frederick, Prince of Wales
  6. Princess Augusta (b. 1737), eldest daughter of Frederick, Prince of Wales
  7. Princess Louisa (b. 1749), third daughter of Frederick, Prince of Wales
  8. Princess Caroline Matilda (b. 1751), fourth daughter of Frederick, Prince of Wales
  9. Prince William, Duke of Cumberland (b. 1721), third son of George II
  10. William V, Prince of Orange (b. 1748), only son of Anne, Princess Royal and Princess of Orange, George II's deceased eldest daughter

Upon his death, the throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became George III.

George III[]

On the day of George III's death, 29 January 1820, the line of succession to the British throne was:

  1. George, Prince Regent, Prince of Wales (b. 1762), eldest son of George III
  2. Prince Frederick, Duke of York (b. 1763), second son of George III
  3. Prince William, Duke of Clarence (b. 1765), third son of George III
  4. Princess Alexandrina Victoria of Kent (b. 1819), only child of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, George III's fourth son who died six days earlier
  5. Prince Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland (b. 1771), fifth son of George III
  6. Prince George of Cumberland (b. 1819), only child of the Duke of Cumberland
  7. Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex (b. 1773), sixth son of George III
  8. Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge (b. 1774), seventh son of George III
  9. Prince George of Cambridge (b. 1819), only child of the Duke of Cambridge
  10. Charlotte, Princess Royal and Queen Dowager of Württemberg (b. 1766), eldest daughter of George III

Upon his death, the throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became George IV.

George IV[]

On the day of George IV's death, 26 June 1830, the line of succession to the British throne was:

  1. Prince William, Duke of Clarence (b. 1765), third son of George III
  2. Princess Alexandrina Victoria of Kent (b. 1819), only child of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, George III's deceased fourth son
  3. Prince Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland (b. 1771), fifth son of George III
  4. Prince George of Cumberland (b. 1819), only child of the Duke of Cumberland
  5. Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex (b. 1773), sixth son of George III
  6. Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge (b. 1774), seventh son of George III
  7. Prince George of Cambridge (b. 1819), only son of the Duke of Cambridge
  8. Princess Augusta of Cambridge (b. 1822), only daughter of the Duke of Cambridge
  9. Princess Augusta Sophia (b. 1768), second daughter of George III
  10. Princess Elizabeth, Dowager Landgravine of Hesse-Homburg (b. 1770), third daughter of George III

Upon his death, the throne passed to the first person in line, who became William IV.

William IV[]

On the day of William IV's death, 20 June 1837, the line of succession to the British throne was:

  1. Princess Alexandrina Victoria of Kent (b. 1819), only child of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, George III's deceased fourth son
  2. Prince Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland (b. 1771), fifth son of George III
  3. Prince George of Cumberland (b. 1819), only child of the Duke of Cumberland
  4. Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex (b. 1773), sixth son of George III
  5. Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge (b. 1774), seventh son of George III
  6. Prince George of Cambridge (b. 1819), only son of the Duke of Cambridge
  7. Princess Augusta of Cambridge (b. 1822), elder daughter of the Duke of Cambridge
  8. Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge (b. 1833), younger daughter of the Duke of Cambridge
  9. Princess Augusta Sophia (b. 1768), second daughter of George III
  10. Princess Elizabeth, Dowager Landgravine of Hesse-Homburg (b. 1770), third daughter of George III

Upon his death, the throne passed to the first person in line, who became Queen Victoria.

Victoria[]

On the day of Victoria's death, 22 January 1901, the line of succession to the British throne was:

  1. Albert Edward, Prince of Wales (b. 1841), eldest son of Victoria
  2. Prince George, Duke of York (b. 1865), second son of the Prince of Wales
  3. Prince Edward of York (b. 1894), eldest son of the Duke of York
  4. Prince Albert of York (b. 1895), second son of the Duke of York
  5. Prince Henry of York (b. 1900), third son of the Duke of York
  6. Princess Mary of York (b. 1897), only daughter of the Duke of York
  7. Princess Louise, Duchess of Fife (b. 1867), eldest daughter of the Prince of Wales
  8. Lady Alexandra Duff (b. 1891), elder daughter of Princess Louise
  9. Lady Maud Duff (b. 1893), younger daughter of Princess Louise
  10. Princess Victoria of Wales (b. 1868), second daughter of the Prince of Wales

Upon her death, the throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became Edward VII.

Edward VII[]

On the day of Edward VII's death, 6 May 1910, the line of succession to the British throne was:

  1. George, Prince of Wales (b. 1865), second son of Edward VII
  2. Prince Edward of Wales (b. 1894), eldest son of the Prince of Wales
  3. Prince Albert of Wales (b. 1895), second son of the Prince of Wales
  4. Prince Henry of Wales (b. 1900), third son of the Prince of Wales
  5. Prince George of Wales (b. 1902), fourth son of the Prince of Wales
  6. Prince John of Wales (b. 1905), fifth son of the Prince of Wales
  7. Princess Mary of Wales (b. 1897), only daughter of the Prince of Wales
  8. Louise, Princess Royal (b. 1867), eldest daughter of Edward VII
  9. Princess Alexandra (b. 1891), elder daughter of the Princess Royal
  10. Princess Maud (b. 1893), younger daughter of the Princess Royal

Upon his death, the throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became George V.

George V[]

On the day of George V's death, 20 January 1936, the line of succession to the British throne was:

  1. Edward, Prince of Wales (b. 1894), eldest son of George V
  2. Prince Albert, Duke of York (b. 1895), second son of George V
  3. Princess Elizabeth of York (b. 1926), elder daughter of the Duke of York
  4. Princess Margaret of York (b. 1930), younger daughter of the Duke of York
  5. Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester (b. 1900), third son of George V
  6. Prince George, Duke of Kent (b. 1902), fourth son of George V
  7. Prince Edward of Kent (b. 1935), only child of the Duke of Kent
  8. Mary, Princess Royal (b. 1897), only daughter of George V
  9. George Lascelles, Viscount Lascelles (b. 1923), elder son of the Princess Royal
  10. Gerald Lascelles (b. 1924), younger son of the Princess Royal

Upon his death, the throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became Edward VIII.

Edward VIII[]

On the day of Edward VIII's abdication, 11 December 1936, the line of succession to the British throne was:

  1. Prince Albert, Duke of York (b. 1895), second son of George V
  2. Princess Elizabeth of York (b. 1926), elder daughter of the Duke of York
  3. Princess Margaret of York (b. 1930), younger daughter of the Duke of York
  4. Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester (b. 1900), third son of George V
  5. Prince George, Duke of Kent (b. 1902), fourth son of George V
  6. Prince Edward of Kent (b. 1935), only child of the Duke of Kent
  7. Mary, Princess Royal (b. 1897), only daughter of George V
  8. George Lascelles, Viscount Lascelles (b. 1923), elder son of the Princess Royal
  9. Gerald Lascelles (b. 1924), younger son of the Princess Royal
  10. Alexandra, Princess Arthur of Connaught, Duchess of Fife (b. 1891), elder daughter of Louise, Princess Royal, Edward VII's deceased eldest daughter

Upon his abdication, the throne passed to the first person in line, who became George VI.

George VI[]

On the day of George VI's death, 6 February 1952, the line of succession to the British throne was:

  1. Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh (b. 1926), elder daughter of George VI
  2. Prince Charles of Edinburgh (b. 1948), only son of Princess Elizabeth
  3. Princess Anne of Edinburgh (b. 1950), only daughter of Princess Elizabeth
  4. Princess Margaret (b. 1930), younger daughter of George VI
  5. Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester (b. 1900), third son of George V
  6. Prince William of Gloucester (b. 1941), elder son of the Duke of Gloucester
  7. Prince Richard of Gloucester (b. 1944), younger son of the Duke of Gloucester
  8. Prince Edward, Duke of Kent (b. 1935), elder son of Prince George, Duke of Kent, George V's deceased fourth son
  9. Prince Michael of Kent (b. 1942), younger son of Prince George, Duke of Kent
  10. Princess Alexandra of Kent (b. 1936), only daughter of Prince George, Duke of Kent

Upon his death, the throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became Elizabeth II.

Elizabeth II[]

Main article: Succession to the British throne § Current line of succession

Currently, the line of succession to the British throne is:

  1. Charles, Prince of Wales (b. 1948), eldest son of Elizabeth II
  2. Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (b. 1982), elder son of the Prince of Wales
  3. Prince George of Cambridge (b. 2013), eldest child of the Duke of Cambridge
  4. Princess Charlotte of Cambridge (b. 2015), second child of the Duke of Cambridge
  5. Prince Louis of Cambridge (b. 2018), third child of the Duke of Cambridge
  6. Prince Henry, Duke of Sussex (b. 1984), younger son of the Prince of Wales
  7. Archie Mountbatten-Windsor (b. 2019), elder child of the Duke of Sussex
  8. Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor (b. 2021), younger child of the Duke of Sussex
  9. Prince Andrew, Duke of York (b. 1960), second son of Elizabeth II
  10. Princess Beatrice, Mrs Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi (b. 1988), elder daughter of the Duke of York

References[]

  1. ^ Given-Wilson, Chris (2004). Alfonso Antón, Isabel (ed.). Building Legitimacy: Political Discourses and Forms of Legitimacy in Medieval Societies. Boston, MA: Brill. p. 90. ISBN 90-04-13305-4.
  2. ^ "BBC - History - British History in depth: The Reign of Richard II, 1377 to 1399".

Further reading[]

  • Iola Price Ahl (1970), Opposing Theories of Succession to the English Throne, 1681-1714
  • Howard Nenner (1995), The Right to be King: the succession to the Crown of England, 1603-1714, University of North Carolina Press, ISBN 9780807822470
  • Jason L. Craig (1998), A Historiographical Look at the Succession to the English Throne
  • George Garnett (2007), Conquered England: Kingship, Succession, and Tenure 1066-1166, Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0198207931
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