Where does Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex feature in the line of succession? And why isn’t Princess Anne higher up? We break down the Royal Family’s order of succession and explain why each member sits where they do.

The line of succession isn’t just about family ties — it’s also shaped by Acts of Parliament. Together, they determine the order in which each member of the Royal Family stands to inherit the throne and become the king or queen of the United Kingdom.

Scroll down to see who does and doesn’t get a look-in on the official line of succession.

1. William, Prince of Wales

Prince William is first in line to the throne. As heir apparent, he will one day succeed his father, King Charles III. His wife will be known at Queen Consort, or Queen Catherine.

2. George, Prince of Wales

Although just 12 years old, Prince George is second in line to the throne as he is the eldest child of Prince William and Princess Catherine.

3. Charlotte, Princess of Wales

The Succession to the Crown Act 2013 marked a new era for the monarchy, altering the rules of succession from male-preference primogeniture to absolute primogeniture. This means that despite having a younger male brother, Charlotte remains above him in the line of succession.

4. Louis, Prince of Wales

Before the Succession to the Crown Act 2013, which was supported by Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Louis would have been third in line to the throne. The change was made to help modernise the monarchy.

5. Harry, Duke of Sussex

When Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex was born in 1984, he was third in line to the throne. Today, he comes further down the order following the birth of his older brother’s three children. In 2020, Harry made the decision to step back from his role as a working royal, but he has not been removed from the line of succession.

6. Prince Archie of Sussex

The line of succession can be altered by an Act of Parliament, which requires the consent of every other Commonwealth nation. As Prince Harry is still in the line, both his children are too. Prince Archie is sixth.

7. Princess Lilibet of Sussex

Despite being born in the US over a year after her parents left working royal life, Princess Lilibet is seventh in line to the throne.

8. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor

Although Andrew has been stripped of his royal titles and no longer uses the name ‘Prince Andrew‘, it has not changed his place in the line of succession. It would need and Act of Parliament to do so. Male-preference primogeniture that existed before 2013 means he’s ahead of his elder sister, Princess Anne, in this list.

9. Princess Beatrice, Mrs. Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi

The eldest daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York currently holds ninth place in the line of succession. Unlike some other members of the Royal Family, Beatrice does not carry out official royal duties as a working royal. Since 2020, when she married, she has also been known as Mrs Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.

10. Miss Sienna Mapelli Mozzi

The eldest child of Princess Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, is 10th in line to the throne. She was born in 2021.

11. Miss Athena Mapelli Mozzi

Athena Mapelli Mozzi, Sienna’s younger sister, was born in 2025.

12. Princess Eugenie, Mrs Jack Brooksbank

Princess Eugenie, the youngest daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York, comes in line after her older sister’s two children.

13. Master August Brooksbank

August Philip Hawke Brooksbank, born in 2021, is the son and first child of Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank.

14. Master Ernest Brooksbank

Ernest George Ronnie Brooksbank, born in 2023, is next in line after his older brother, August.

15. The Duke of Edinburgh

Prince Edward is the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.

16. Earl of Wessex

James, Earl of Wessex, is the second child and son of Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh. He was born in 2007.

17. The Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor

The Earl of Wessex’s sister, Lady Louise Windsor, comes after him in the list as, despite being older, they were born before the Succession to the Crown Act 2013.

18. The Princess Royal

The Princess Royal, the second-oldest child of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, currently holds 17th place in the line of succession.

Positions 19 to 25

Peter Phillips, the eldest grandchild of Queen Elizabeth and the only son of Princess Anne, is 19th in line to the throne. His children, Savannah and Isla Phillips, follow him, with Savannah, the eldest, becoming the first great-grandchild of Queen Elizabeth and 20th in line, and Isla taking the 21st spot.

Zara Tindall, daughter of Princess Anne, is 22nd in line to the throne. Her children follow her, with Mia as 23rd, Lena as 24th, and their only son Lucas taking the 25th spot.

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