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The Royal Countdown: Who Are The Top 20 Heirs In The British Line Of Succession For 2025?

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The British line of succession is a dynamic and deeply historical framework, constantly shifting with births, deaths, and marriages within the Royal Family. As of December 18, 2025, the list has been updated by a significant new arrival, cementing the succession order for the foreseeable future under the reign of King Charles III. Understanding this order is not just about knowing who is next in line; it’s about tracing the constitutional laws that govern the monarchy and the future of the Commonwealth realms.

The rules that govern who inherits the throne are rooted in centuries of parliamentary law, most recently modernized by the Succession to the Crown Act 2013. This definitive list, stretching hundreds of individuals deep, is led by the King's direct descendants, establishing a clear path from the current monarch to the next generation of Sovereigns.

The Definitive Top 20 in the Line of Succession (Updated December 2025)

The current line of succession follows the principle of absolute primogeniture for those born after October 28, 2011, meaning the eldest child, regardless of gender, precedes their younger siblings. This list reflects the most current order, including the newest member of the Royal Family, Athena Mapelli Mozzi.

  • 1. The Prince of Wales (Prince William): The eldest son of King Charles III, he is the immediate heir apparent.
  • 2. Prince George of Wales: The eldest son of the Prince of Wales, securing the future of the direct line.
  • 3. Princess Charlotte of Wales: The second child of the Prince of Wales. Her position ahead of her younger brother, Prince Louis, is due to the Perth Agreement.
  • 4. Prince Louis of Wales: The youngest child of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
  • 5. The Duke of Sussex (Prince Harry): The younger son of King Charles III.
  • 6. Prince Archie of Sussex: The eldest child of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
  • 7. Princess Lilibet of Sussex: The younger child of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
  • 8. The Duke of York (Prince Andrew): The second son of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
  • 9. Princess Beatrice, Mrs Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi: The elder daughter of the Duke of York.
  • 10. Miss Sienna Mapelli Mozzi: The elder daughter of Princess Beatrice.
  • 11. Miss Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi: The younger daughter of Princess Beatrice, born in 2025. This recent birth has shifted the entire line below her one place down.
  • 12. Princess Eugenie, Mrs Jack Brooksbank: The younger daughter of the Duke of York.
  • 13. Master August Brooksbank: The elder son of Princess Eugenie.
  • 14. Master Ernest Brooksbank: The younger son of Princess Eugenie.
  • 15. The Duke of Edinburgh (Prince Edward): The youngest son of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
  • 16. James, Earl of Wessex: The only son of the Duke of Edinburgh.
  • 17. Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor: The daughter of the Duke of Edinburgh. She remains behind her younger brother, James, because she was born before the 2013 Act came into effect.
  • 18. The Princess Royal (Princess Anne): The only daughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Her position is lower than her younger brothers due to the previous male-preference primogeniture rules.
  • 19. Mr Peter Phillips: The only son of the Princess Royal.
  • 20. Miss Savannah Phillips: The elder daughter of Mr Peter Phillips.

The Constitutional Revolution: Understanding the Perth Agreement

The rules governing the line of succession have not always been this straightforward. For centuries, the system was based on male-preference primogeniture, which meant a younger son would always displace an elder daughter in the line. This historical anomaly was finally resolved by the Perth Agreement, an accord reached by the leaders of the 16 Commonwealth realms in 2011 and subsequently enacted into UK law as the Succession to the Crown Act 2013.

This landmark constitutional change introduced two major reforms to the laws of succession:

1. Absolute Primogeniture

For any royal born after October 28, 2011, the order of succession is determined purely by the order of birth, regardless of gender. This is why Princess Charlotte (born 2015) retains her place ahead of her younger brother, Prince Louis (born 2018). This principle ensures gender equality in the highest office of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms, a pivotal modernization of the ancient monarchy.

2. The End of the Catholic Ban

Historically, anyone who married a Roman Catholic was barred from the line of succession under the Act of Settlement 1701. The Perth Agreement abolished this disqualification, allowing a person in the line to marry a Catholic without losing their place. However, the monarch themselves must still be in communion with the Church of England, as they serve as the Supreme Governor of the Church. This subtle but critical distinction ensures the constitutional link between the Crown and the established Church remains intact.

Key Succession Rules and Royal Entities

Beyond the principles of primogeniture and religion, several other constitutional and legal requirements influence the line. These rules maintain the integrity of the Crown and prevent any undue political or personal influence on the heir apparent and their immediate family.

The Royal Marriages Act Repeal: The 2013 Act also repealed the outdated Royal Marriages Act 1772, which required all descendants of King George II to seek the Sovereign's permission to marry. Under the new rules, only the first six individuals in the line of succession must obtain the Sovereign’s consent before marrying. Failure to do so disqualifies the person and their descendants from the line, but does not invalidate the marriage itself. Currently, this consent requirement applies from Prince William down to Prince Archie.

Exclusion by Conversion: A person is still disqualified from the line of succession if they convert to Roman Catholicism. This is a direct stipulation from the Bill of Rights 1689 and the Act of Settlement 1701, which established that the monarch must be a Protestant. This rule has not been changed, reinforcing the constitutional role of the monarch.

The Role of Counsellors of State: The first four adults in the line of succession (who are over the age of 21) plus the Sovereign's spouse are eligible to be appointed as Counsellors of State. These individuals can perform some of the monarch's official duties, such as signing documents, if the King is temporarily incapacitated or abroad. As of late 2025, this list includes the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Sussex, the Duke of York, and Princess Beatrice. However, the law was recently amended to allow the inclusion of the Princess Royal and the Duke of Edinburgh to ensure enough working royals are available for this critical constitutional duty.

The continuous movement within the line, most recently highlighted by the birth of Miss Athena Mapelli Mozzi, underscores the stability and longevity of the British monarchy. The meticulous order ensures that a successor is always ready, maintaining the constitutional continuity that defines the United Kingdom's system of governance. The next major shift will occur upon the accession of the Prince of Wales, when his children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, will move into the top three positions, further solidifying the future royal generation.

The Royal Countdown: Who Are the Top 20 Heirs in the British Line of Succession for 2025?
line to the british throne succession
line to the british throne succession

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