The Future Crown: Unraveling The Mystery Of Queen Elizabeth The Third (And Who She Might Be)

The question of who will be Queen Elizabeth the Third is one that captivates royal enthusiasts and constitutional experts alike, especially in the wake of the late Queen Elizabeth II's historic reign. As of December 12, 2025, the British throne is occupied by King Charles III, who ascended immediately upon the death of his mother in September 2022. The title 'Queen Elizabeth III' does not currently belong to anyone, but the possibility of a future female monarch choosing that iconic regnal name remains a fascinating topic of speculation based on the established rules of succession.

The confusion surrounding a 'Queen Elizabeth III' is understandable, given the recent end of the second Elizabeth's remarkable 70-year tenure. However, the rules of the British monarchy dictated that the heir apparent, Prince Charles, became King Charles III instantly. To understand who might one day become the third Queen Elizabeth, we must look deep into the current line of succession and the power of a future sovereign to choose their own name.

The Current State of the British Succession: Why There Is No Queen Elizabeth III (Yet)

The British line of succession is clear and governed by the principle of male-preference primogeniture, which was recently modified by the Perth Agreement to absolute primogeniture for those born after October 28, 2011.

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The current monarch is King Charles III, who is the son of the late Queen Elizabeth II. The immediate succession after King Charles III is entirely male, which is the primary reason why a Queen Elizabeth III is not imminent.

• First in line: Prince William, The Prince of Wales (King Charles III's eldest son).
• Second in line: Prince George of Wales (Prince William's eldest son).
• Third in line: Princess Charlotte of Wales (Prince William's daughter).
• Fourth in line: Prince Louis of Wales (Prince William's youngest son).

For a Queen Elizabeth III to sit on the throne, the crown would need to pass through Prince William, and then through Prince George, before it could potentially reach a female heir who chooses the name Elizabeth.

The current setup means that the next two monarchs are almost certain to be Kings: King William V (when Prince William ascends) and King George VII (when Prince George ascends). This pushes the prospect of a Queen Elizabeth III far into the future, making the query a matter of long-term royal forecasting.

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The Royal Line of Succession: Who Could Be Queen Elizabeth III?

The most compelling candidate to potentially become Queen Elizabeth III is Princess Charlotte of Wales. As the daughter of the future King William V, she is third in line to the throne and the first female in the direct line of succession after her brother, Prince George.

Princess Charlotte's position in the line of succession is historically significant. Under the old rules of male-preference primogeniture, she would have been placed behind her younger brother, Prince Louis. However, thanks to the 2013 Succession to the Crown Act, she retains her third position, regardless of her younger brother's gender, securing her place as a potential future Queen Regnant. This new law ensures that the eldest child, regardless of gender, inherits the throne.

If Prince George were to have no children, or if the line of succession were to pass to Princess Charlotte for any other reason, she would then become the heir apparent and eventually the Queen. At that point, she would have a choice of her regnal name—the name she reigns under. Her full name is Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, giving her the option to reign as Queen Charlotte, Queen Elizabeth, or Queen Diana.

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Choosing the name Elizabeth would be a powerful tribute to her great-grandmother, the beloved Queen Elizabeth II. The immense popularity and historical weight of the previous Elizabeths make this a strong possibility, ensuring the name continues its legacy for a third time.

Regnal Name Precedent and the Legacy of Elizabeth II

The selection of a regnal name is a deeply personal and symbolic decision for a new monarch. It is not mandatory for a sovereign to use their first given name; they can choose any of their middle names. This precedent is crucial to understanding the potential for a Queen Elizabeth III.

A recent example is the current King. Charles III's full name is Charles Philip Arthur George. He could have chosen to reign as King Philip, King Arthur, or King George VII. By choosing Charles, he maintained a continuity with his given name, despite the historical unfortunate reign of Charles I and the restoration of Charles II.

The choice for a future Queen, like Princess Charlotte, would be weighed against historical and public sentiment. The name Elizabeth carries an almost unparalleled weight of stability, duty, and longevity, thanks to the reigns of Elizabeth I (the "Virgin Queen" and architect of the Elizabethan Golden Age) and Elizabeth II (the longest-reigning British monarch).

The Historical Weight of the Name Elizabeth

The two previous Queens named Elizabeth set an incredibly high bar for any successor:

• Elizabeth I (1558–1603): Her reign is considered one of the most glorious in English history, marked by the defeat of the Spanish Armada and a flourishing of arts and exploration.
• Elizabeth II (1952–2022): She navigated the monarchy through decades of immense social and political change, from the end of the British Empire to the modern Commonwealth era, becoming a globally respected figure of continuity and service.

A future Queen choosing the name Elizabeth III would be consciously aligning herself with this powerful, successful, and globally recognised brand of monarchy. For Princess Charlotte, whose middle name is Elizabeth, the choice is readily available and highly likely if she were to ascend the throne. This decision would instantly create a powerful topical authority around her reign, linking her to the past while steering the monarchy into the future.

The Hypothetical Timeline for Queen Elizabeth III

The timeline for a Queen Elizabeth III is purely speculative and depends entirely on the lifespans of the current and future Kings. Given the youth of the current heirs, the reign of King Charles III, followed by King William V and King George VII, means that Princess Charlotte's potential reign as Queen Elizabeth III is likely many decades away, placing it well into the late 21st century or even the 22nd century.

This long-term perspective highlights the enduring nature of the British monarchy and the continuous fascination with its future. While the name 'Queen Elizabeth the Third' is not in use today, it represents a very real and highly probable future for the British Crown, embodied by the young Princess Charlotte of Wales. Her accession would mark a significant moment, continuing a powerful dynastic name that has defined two of the most successful periods in British history.

The enduring interest in this future sovereign ensures that the question of 'who will be Queen Elizabeth III' remains a vital part of the conversation about the future of the royal family, connecting the legacy of the past to the hopes for the next generation of the House of Windsor.