The 2025 British Line Of Succession: Who Are The Top 20 Royals And The Shocking New Rule That Changed Everything

The British line of succession is a living, breathing document of history, tradition, and modern legislation, and it has recently seen a significant, fresh update in early 2025. The order of who will inherit the throne after King Charles III is determined by a set of constitutional laws, most notably the 1701 Act of Settlement, which was fundamentally modernized by the 2013 Succession to the Crown Act. This ancient-yet-dynamic list is crucial, as it ensures the stability of the monarchy across the United Kingdom and the 14 other Commonwealth realms. As of today, December 18, 2025, the order has been officially adjusted following the birth of a new royal baby in January 2025, confirming a new 11th in line to the throne. This article provides the complete, accurate list of the top 20 members, detailing the revolutionary changes that have shaped the modern monarchy and answering the most pressing questions about the future of the Crown.

The Current Top 20 British Line of Succession (Updated December 2025)

The line of succession is determined by descent and the principle of absolute primogeniture for those born after October 28, 2011, meaning the eldest child succeeds, regardless of gender. For those born before this date, the older rule of male-preference primogeniture still applies, creating a fascinating mix of old and new rules in the list below. This list details the top 20 individuals in order of succession to the British throne, following the current monarch, King Charles III:

1. Prince William, The Prince of Wales: The King's elder son.
2. Prince George of Wales: The Prince of Wales's elder son.
3. Princess Charlotte of Wales: The Prince of Wales's daughter. She remains ahead of her younger brother due to the 2013 Succession to the Crown Act, which introduced absolute primogeniture.
4. Prince Louis of Wales: The Prince of Wales's younger son.
5. Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex: The King's younger son.
6. Prince Archie of Sussex: The Duke of Sussex's son.
7. Princess Lilibet of Sussex: The Duke of Sussex's daughter.
8. Prince Andrew, The Duke of York: The King's brother (Queen Elizabeth II's second son).
9. Princess Beatrice, Mrs. Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi: The Duke of York's elder daughter.
10. Sienna Mapelli Mozzi: Princess Beatrice's daughter.
11. Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi: Princess Beatrice's second daughter, born January 22, 2025. This is the most recent addition to the line.
12. Princess Eugenie, Mrs. Jack Brooksbank: The Duke of York's younger daughter.
13. August Brooksbank: Princess Eugenie's elder son.
14. Ernest Brooksbank: Princess Eugenie's younger son (Born 2023).
15. Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh: The King's youngest brother (Queen Elizabeth II's third son).
16. James, Earl of Wessex: The Duke of Edinburgh's son. He is ahead of his older sister, Lady Louise, due to the old male-preference primogeniture rule, as he was born before the 2013 Act.
17. Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor: The Duke of Edinburgh's daughter.
18. Anne, The Princess Royal: The King's sister (Queen Elizabeth II's daughter). She is further down the list than her younger brothers because the old rule of male-preference primogeniture applied at the time of her birth.
19. Peter Phillips: The Princess Royal's son.
20. Savannah Phillips: Peter Phillips's elder daughter.

The Shocking New Royal Arrival and Succession Shake-Up

The most significant and recent change to the lower end of the top 20 occurred with the birth of Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi on January 22, 2025. Born to Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Athena's arrival shifted the entire line of succession from her position downwards. Athena is the fifth great-grandchild of the late Queen Elizabeth II and the second grandchild for the Duke of York, Prince Andrew. Her birth is a clear illustration of how the line of succession is constantly evolving, even years after the death of a monarch. While she currently sits at 11th, every new birth or death among those ahead of her will cause a ripple effect, moving her position up or down. Her older sister, Sienna Mapelli Mozzi, is 10th in line. The continuity provided by this list is essential not only for the United Kingdom but also for the 14 other Commonwealth realms, including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, all of whom share the same monarch and the same rules of succession. This shared constitutional framework underscores the global significance of the British Royal Family.

The Historic Rules That Govern the Crown

The rules dictating who can succeed to the throne are rooted in centuries of history, primarily established by the Bill of Rights 1689 and the Act of Settlement 1701. These documents ensured that only Protestant descendants of Princess Sophia (Electress of Hanover) could inherit the Crown, a rule that remains in place today. However, the 21st century brought about the most dramatic constitutional change in centuries: the Perth Agreement.

The Game-Changing Perth Agreement and 2013 Act

The Perth Agreement was an agreement reached in 2011 by the heads of government of the 16 Commonwealth realms. This agreement led to the passing of the Succession to the Crown Act 2013 in the UK, which enacted two fundamental changes to the rules of succession:

• Absolute Primogeniture: This abolished the system of male-preference primogeniture, which meant that a younger son would displace an elder daughter in the line of succession. Under the new rule, for anyone born after October 28, 2011, gender is irrelevant. The eldest child succeeds, regardless of whether they are male or female. Princess Charlotte's position ahead of her younger brother, Prince Louis, is the most prominent example of this historic change in action.
• The Catholic Marriage Ban Lifted: The Act removed the disqualification for a person who marries a Roman Catholic. Previously, marrying a Catholic would remove a royal from the line of succession. This change was a significant step toward religious equality within the monarchy, though the monarch themselves must still be in communion with the Church of England.

It is crucial to understand that these changes were not retrospective. This is why older members of the Royal Family are still governed by the old rules. For example, James, Earl of Wessex (16th in line), is ahead of his older sister, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor (17th in line), because they were both born before the 2011 cutoff date. Similarly, The Princess Royal, Anne, remains behind her younger brothers, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.

Disqualifications and The Role of the Monarch

While the 2013 Act removed the Catholic marriage ban, other rules of disqualification remain in effect.

Marriage and Consent to Marry

Under the Royal Marriages Act 1772, later superseded by the Succession to the Crown Act 2013, the first six people in the line of succession must obtain the monarch's permission to marry. If any of the top six marry without the King's consent, they and their descendants are disqualified from the line of succession. This requirement is a critical constitutional safeguard to prevent a constitutional crisis or a marriage that could destabilize the Crown. As of 2025, the six members who require King Charles III's permission are: Prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Prince Harry, and Prince Archie.

The Role of the Sovereign

The monarch holds the Crown until death or abdication. The line of succession is only relevant upon the death or abdication of the sovereign, at which point the next person in line instantly becomes the new monarch. This principle, known as "The King is dead, long live the King," ensures there is never a moment when the throne is vacant, guaranteeing constitutional continuity. The British line of succession, therefore, is a complex yet orderly system. It is a fascinating blend of ancient statute, such as the Act of Settlement, and modern legislation like the Perth Agreement, all designed to secure the future of the monarchy and the stability of the Commonwealth realms for generations to come. The 2025 birth of Athena Mapelli Mozzi serves as a fresh reminder that this historic list is constantly being updated and redefined by the newest members of the Royal Family.