The Ultimate List: Who Are The Top 20 Royals In Line For The British Throne In 2025?

The question of succession to the British throne remains one of the most fascinating and consequential topics in global royalty. As of December 2025, the monarchy is firmly in the hands of King Charles III, whose reign has ushered in a new era for the House of Windsor. The line of succession is not merely a formality; it dictates the future trajectory of a 1,000-year-old institution, and the individuals on this list are the next generation of potential sovereigns, each preparing for a role that may or may not come to pass.

The current order is a blend of ancient tradition and modern reform, dramatically reshaped by a landmark law that ensures a younger sister can no longer be displaced by a younger brother. This comprehensive, up-to-date guide breaks down the most important names, their current positions, and the little-known facts about the royals who stand ready to inherit the Crown.

The New Rules of Succession: How the 2013 Act Changed Everything

For centuries, the rules governing who inherits the throne were rooted in the *Act of Settlement 1701*, a law that famously prioritized male heirs and prohibited the monarch from being a Roman Catholic. However, the 21st century brought a seismic shift with the introduction of the Succession to the Crown Act 2013.

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This single piece of legislation fundamentally altered the hierarchy for any royal born after October 28, 2011.

Ending Male Preference Primogeniture

The most significant change was the end of male preference primogeniture. This archaic rule meant that a younger brother would always jump ahead of an older sister in the line of succession. The 2013 Act instituted gender blind succession, meaning the order is now determined purely by age. This is why Princess Charlotte, born in 2015, remains ahead of her younger brother, Prince Louis, a historic first in British royal history.

Marriage and Religion

The Act also repealed the *Royal Marriages Act 1772*, which previously required all descendants of King George II to seek the sovereign’s permission to marry. Now, only the first six people in the line of succession must obtain the monarch’s consent. Furthermore, the disqualification of a person who married a Roman Catholic from the line of succession was removed, although the monarch themselves must still be in communion with the Church of England.

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The Top 20: Who is Next in Line for the British Throne?

The line of succession is determined by descent from the sovereign, King Charles III. The following is the updated list of the top 20 individuals, as of December 2025, who stand to inherit the Crown.

1. Prince William, Prince of Wales (Born 1982): As the King’s eldest son, he is the immediate heir apparent. He holds the title of Prince of Wales and is the future of the monarchy.
2. Prince George of Wales (Born 2013): William’s eldest son, George Alexander Louis, is second in line and will be the first monarch to have benefited from the 2013 Succession Act.
3. Princess Charlotte of Wales (Born 2015): Charlotte Elizabeth Diana is third in line. She is the first female royal to retain her place ahead of a younger brother, thanks to the new succession law.
4. Prince Louis of Wales (Born 2018): Louis Arthur Charles is fourth in line. His position behind his older sister, Princess Charlotte, is a direct result of the modern reforms.
5. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (Born 1984): The King’s younger son is fifth in line. Despite stepping back from his role as a senior working royal in 2020, his place in the succession remains unchanged.
6. Prince Archie of Sussex (Born 2019): Harry’s son is sixth in line.
7. Princess Lilibet of Sussex (Born 2021): Harry’s daughter is seventh in line.
8. Prince Andrew, Duke of York (Born 1960): The King’s younger brother is eighth in line. Despite being stripped of his military titles and royal duties, he remains in the official line of succession, as removal requires an Act of Parliament.
9. Princess Beatrice, Mrs. Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi (Born 1988): Prince Andrew’s elder daughter is ninth in line.
10. Sienna Mapelli Mozzi (Born 2021): Princess Beatrice’s daughter is tenth in line.
11. Princess Eugenie, Mrs. Jack Brooksbank (Born 1990): Prince Andrew’s younger daughter is eleventh in line.
12. August Brooksbank (Born 2021): Princess Eugenie’s elder son is twelfth in line.
13. Ernest Brooksbank (Born 2023): Princess Eugenie’s younger son is thirteenth in line.
14. Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh (Born 1964): The King’s youngest brother is fourteenth in line. He inherited the Duke of Edinburgh title in 2023.
15. James, Earl of Wessex (Born 2007): Prince Edward's son is fifteenth in line. He is styled as James, Earl of Wessex, rather than Prince, due to a request by his parents at the time of his birth.
16. Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor (Born 2003): Prince Edward's daughter is sixteenth in line. Due to the pre-2013 succession rules, her younger brother, James, is ahead of her.
17. Anne, Princess Royal (Born 1950): The King’s sister is seventeenth in line. She was third in line at birth but was pushed down by the births of her younger brothers and their children.
18. Peter Phillips (Born 1977): Princess Anne’s son is eighteenth in line. He holds no royal title, as his mother declined the offer of a peerage title for him at birth.
19. Savannah Phillips (Born 2010): Peter Phillips’s elder daughter is nineteenth in line.
20. Isla Phillips (Born 2012): Peter Phillips’s younger daughter is twentieth in line.

The Extended Royal Line: Why Some Royals Are Farther Down

The positions of the King's siblings, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, and Princess Anne, provide a fascinating look at the historical impact of the succession laws before 2013. Prince Andrew, despite being younger than Princess Anne, was placed ahead of her at birth due to male preference primogeniture. This historical anomaly continues to affect the relative positions of their descendants today.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Children

Prince Edward, now the Duke of Edinburgh, and his wife, Sophie, decided their children, James and Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, would not use the title of Prince or Princess, instead being styled as children of an Earl. This decision gives them a lower public profile, allowing them to pursue more private lives while still retaining their place in the line of succession.

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Princess Anne’s Unique Position

Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, is a testament to the old rules. Born third in line, she is now seventeenth, having been passed by her two younger brothers and all of their legitimate descendants. Her children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, and her grandchildren, hold their places through her, but without royal titles, making them some of the most private members of the extended royal family.

The British line of succession is a living document, constantly shifting with births, deaths, and marriages. While the focus remains on the immediate heirs, Prince William and his children, the extended list confirms the stability and depth of the British monarchy, ensuring that dozens of qualified individuals stand ready to serve the Crown if called upon.