Meghan MarkleandPrince Harry’s daughter,Lilibet Diana, has been officially added to the royal line of succession —seven weeks after her birthat the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in California.
The officialRoyal.UKwebsite was updated Monday to show Lilibet as eighth in line to the British throne. This is one place behind her big brother,Archie, 2, and two behind Prince Harry, who is currently sixth in line toQueen Elizabeth’s throne.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/POOL/AFP via Getty
The legal basis for the line of succession dates back to the 17th century and the reign of William III (otherwise known as William of Orange). It was most recently amended in 2013 to end the system of male primogeniture, which automatically placed male heirs above their sisters in the line of succession.
At the same time, the amendments also removed a historic rule that a royal could not keep their position on the list if they married a Roman Catholic. The changes came into force in March 2015 — but only apply to royal children born after October 28, 2011.
Despite this,Lilibet’s positionon the list is not set in stone: Harry and Meghan’s daughter — whosebirth certificatewas made public on July 6 — will slip further down the line of succession should any of William and Kate’s children become parents in the future.
The Cambridge family’s 2020 Christmas card.Matt Porteous / The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge/Kensington Palace via Getty
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At the momentPrince George,Princess Charlotte, andPrince Louishold places three to five on the list, behind their father and their grandfather,Prince Charles, who is first in line and heir apparent to the British throne.
Charles, 72, also holds the record for being the longest-serving heir apparent in British history, having held the position since the then Princess Elizabethacceded to the throneon February 6, 1952. The Prince of Wales was just 3 years old at the time.
source: people.com
