Princess Charlotte has become the first female royal in centuries to maintain her place in the line of succession despite having younger brothers, marking a historic shift in royal tradition thanks to legislative reform.
In the sixth episode of Channel 5’s documentary series “Secrets of the Royal Traditions,” experts revealed how a pivotal change in 2013 modernized the royal succession rules. Before this change, the 1701 Act of Settlement mandated male primogeniture, whereby younger male siblings would supersede older female heirs.
Following Queen Elizabeth II’s death in September 2022, her eldest son Charles ascended the throne as King. His eldest son, Prince William, became heir apparent, and William’s son, Prince George, followed in line. This succession marked the first time nearly a century that the UK had both a reigning male monarch and male heir, echoing a historical preference for male rulers.
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Under the previous laws, Princess Anne, the Queen’s second child, was placed below all her brothers in the line of succession. However, the 2013 Succession to the Crown Act abolished male precedence, ensuring absolute equality between male and female heirs.
Royal correspondent Wesley Kerr OBE highlighted, “Princess Anne is below all three of her brothers in succession, but Princess Charlotte did not lose her place when her younger brother Louis was born. This change represents a well-needed modernisation.”
Royal historian Gareth Russell emphasized that Queen Elizabeth II believed a female monarch was just as capable as a male one, while BBC’s Jennie Bond described the reform as “striking out for the modern woman.”
Princess Charlotte, the second child of Prince William and Princess Kate, celebrated her 10th birthday recently, with the royal family sharing a new photo from their Cumbria trip. Prince Louis and Prince George, her younger and older brothers, respectively, also remain prominent in public appearances and social media.
This milestone in royal succession underscores a significant step toward gender equality within the British monarchy, reflecting contemporary values while respecting tradition.