The British royal line of succession has been shaped by centuries of tradition, but the birth of Princess Beatrice’s baby has shifted the rankings, moving one key royal further down the list.
Royal enthusiasts were thrilled by the announcement that Princess Beatrice welcomed a daughter on January 22 at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London.
Her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, shared the happy news on Instagram, writing: “Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi. We welcomed Baby Athena into our lives last week. She is tiny and absolutely perfect. We are all (including Wolfie and Sienna) already completely besotted with her.”
However, the newest addition to the royal family has altered the well-established succession order, pushing one notable royal further away from the throne.
Let’s explore the full list of royals in the line of succession—currently standing at 63 members…
Prince William
William inherited the title of Prince of Wales following the passing of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.
As the eldest son of King Charles and the late Princess Diana, he is first in line to the throne and the most likely future king among the royal family.
Prince George
George is King Charles’ grandson, and is the eldest son of William and Kate, making him second in line to throne.
As his father is likely to become king much later in his life, it’s quite possible that George will be the future king in decades to come.
Princess Charlotte
During Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, a significant change was made to the line of succession.
Before the Succession to the Crown Act 2013, male heirs had priority over their older sisters. However, this law ensures that a female royal’s position is no longer displaced by the birth of a younger brother.
Prince Louis
Thanks to the Succession to the Crown Act 2013, Louis remains fourth in line to the throne, following his older siblings.
Under the old system, he would have overtaken his sister, Charlotte, simply because of his gender.
Prince Harry
Although he stepped back from his role as a senior royal, Harry remains fifth in line to the throne.
As the youngest son of King Charles and Princess Diana, his position in the succession order has shifted further down due to William’s children moving up the ranks.
Prince Archie
As Queen Elizabeth’s great-grandson, Archie didn’t receive an official royal title until his grandfather, King Charles, ascended the throne. His title was formally confirmed in March 2023 during his sister’s christening. Currently, he stands sixth in line to the throne.
Princess Lilibet
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Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, the youngest child of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, holds the seventh spot in the line of succession.
Prince Andrew
Despite stepping back from royal duties due to his connections with Jeffrey Epstein, Prince Andrew remains eighth in line to the throne as Queen Elizabeth’s second son.
Princess Beatrice
The eldest daughter of Prince Andrew, Beatrice, is ninth in line. She is married to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and the couple recently welcomed their second child, Athena, just a week ago.
Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi
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Born in 2021, Sienna is Beatrice and Edoardo’s first child. She currently occupies the 10th position in the line of succession.
Athena Elizabeth Mozzi
The newest addition to the royal family, Athena, was born on January 22, 2025. Her birth moved her ahead of her aunt, Princess Eugenie, placing her 11th in line to the throne.
Princess Eugenie
Eugenie is currently 12th in line to the throne, as Prince Andrew’s younger daughter.
August Philip Hawke Brooksbank
August, the firstborn of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, has moved down to the 13th spot following the birth of his cousin, Athena.
Ernest George Ronnie Brooksbank
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Born in 2023, Ernest is Princess Eugenie’s second son and the first of Queen Elizabeth’s great-grandchildren to be born after her passing. He is currently 14th in line to the throne.
Prince Edward
The late Queen’s youngest son, Prince Edward, has now been shifted to the 15th position in the line of succession.
James, Earl of Wessex
James, Prince Edward’s son and Queen Elizabeth’s grandson, follows his cousins in the royal hierarchy, placing him 16th in line to the throne.
Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor
Lady Louise, daughter of Prince Edward, currently holds the 17th spot in the line of succession.
Princess Anne
Despite being Queen Elizabeth II’s only daughter, Princess Anne is behind her younger brothers and their descendants in the royal line of succession. This is due to the previous system, which prioritized male heirs over their older sisters.
The Succession to the Crown Act of 2013, which changed this rule, was introduced long after Anne was born.
19–63 in the Line of Succession:
19.Peter Phillips
20.Savannah Phillips
21.Isla Phillips
22.Zara Tindall
23.Mia Tindall
24.Lena Tindall
25.Lucas Tindall
26.David Armstrong-Jones, 2nd Earl of Snowdon
27.Charles Armstrong-Jones, Viscount Linley
28.Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones
29.Lady Sarah Chatto
30.Samuel Chatto
31.Arthur Chatto
32.Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester
33.Alexander Windsor, Earl of Ulster
34.Xan Windsor, Lord Culloden
35.Lady Cosima Windsor
36.Lady Davinia Lewis
37.Senna Lewis
38.Tane Lewis
39.Lady Rose Gilman
40.Lyla Gilman
41.Rufus Gilman
42.Prince Edward, Duke of Kent
43.George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews
44.Lady Amelia Windsor
45.Albert Windsor
46.Leopold Windsor
47.Louis Windsor
48.Lady Helen Taylor
49.Columbus Taylor
50.Cassius Taylor
51.Eloise Taylor
52.Estella Taylor
53.Prince Michael of Kent
54.Lord Frederick Windsor
55.Maud Windsor
56.Isabella Windsor
57.Lady Gabriella Kingston
58.Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy
59.James Ogilvy
60.Alexander Ogilvy
61.Flora Vesterberg
61.Marina Ogilvy
62.Christian Mowatt
63.Zenouska Mowatt