Queen Elizabeth II reigned over the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth states for almost 70 years ever since his father, George VI, died in 1952. She is also currently the longest-reigning monarch alive since the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand in 2016. But what if the Queen dies? Who is the next in line to the throne? Here are the 5 Royal Family personalities who are successors to the British Throne in 2021.
1. Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles is the next successor to the Queen and is waiting in line for almost 70 years. He is also the longest-serving Prince of Wales since 1958, and currently holding the titles of the Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Rothesay. He will be named as King Charles III upon succession.
As the Prince waits for the longest time to be the King, the BBC created a film entitled "King Charles III" which was inspired by this concept.
2. Prince William, Duke of Cambridge
Prince William is the eldest son of the Prince and Princess of Wales and has been in the second line of succession since his birth in 1982. He also holds the title of the Duke of Cambridge since his marriage to Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge in 2011. He will be named as King William V upon succession.
But there were some speculations that Prince William has been favored by the British people to be the next successor instead of his father, Prince Charles. On the other hand, such succession, even if favored by Queen Elizabeth II herself, might not turn into reality as it is against the Act of Settlement (1701).
3. Prince George of Cambridge
Prince George is the eldest son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and has been in the third line of succession since his birth in 2013. He will be named as King George VIII upon succession.
As Prince George and his siblings reach the marriageable age, and in case that they want to undergo marriage, they must seek approval from the reigning monarch (in this case, from their Great Grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II) as stated in the Succession to the Crown Act (2013).
4. Princess Charlotte of Cambridge
Princess Charlotte is the second child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and has been in the fourth line of succession since her birth in 2015. She will be named Queen Charlotte upon succession.
Based on the history of monarchy in Britain, male-preference primogeniture is being implied where the male members of the royal family are prioritized for succession. If this is the case, then her younger sibling, Prince Louis, should be the fourth line in succession. But thanks to the Succession to the Crown Act (2013), she became closer to the throne.
5. Prince Louis of Cambridge
Prince Louis is the youngest child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and has been in the fifth line of succession since his birth in 2018. He will be named as King Louis I upon succession.
In history, there is another King Louis I of England but not officially crowned. He is King Louis VIII of France who had successfully conquered two-thirds of England in 1216. He is also known as "Louis the Lion".
The Future of Other Successors to the Throne
Before the birth of Prince George of Cambridge, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, was the third line in succession. But his place in the order of succession has gone further as his brother, the Duke of Cambridge, had children over time. This trend will surely continue if Prince William would like to have more children.
What are your thoughts on the successors and the future of the British Throne? Let us know in the comments down below.
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