Succession to the British throne is determined by descent, sex, legitimacy, and religion. Under common law, the Crown is inherited by a sovereign's children or by a childless sovereign's nearest colla
The Sovereign's Throne in the House of Lords, from which the speech is delivered at the State Opening of Parliament
Queen Elizabeth I enthroned in Parliament
After her last child died in 1700, only Princess Anne was left in the line of succession set by the Bill of Rights.
Electress Sophia of Hanover (1630–1714)
William, Prince of Wales
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William, Prince of Wales, is the heir apparent to the British throne. He is the elder son of King Charles III and Diana, Princess of Wales.
Succession to the British throne
…of those excluded for being Roman Catholics are eligible. King Charles III has been the sovereign since 2022, and his heir apparent is his elder son, William, Prince of Wales. William's three children are next, in order of birth: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Fifth in line is Prince Harry, Duke of…
William in 2025
With his parents in Auckland playing with a Buzzy Bee during the 1983 tour of New Zealand
Shaking hands with Barbara Bush, 1991. His mother, Diana, and brother, Harry, look on.
In Royal Air Force uniform at the 2010 Trooping the Colour