Succession to the British Throne: Harry vs. George and the Changing Rules

The question of who would inherit the British throne if Royal family members such as Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, Duke and Duchess William, and Catherine were no longer living is a topic of much interest. This piece seeks to clarify the current line of succession, taking into account both the traditional and the new rules, and address common misconceptions about Prince Harry's potential claim to the throne.

Current Succession in the Royal Family

The current line of succession in the British Royal Family is as follows:

Prince Charles, heir apparent, as the eldest son of the Queen Prince William, Prince of Wales, as the eldest son of Charles Prince George, Duke of Cambridge, as the eldest son of William Princess Charlotte, as the second child of William Prince Louis, as the third child of William Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, as the younger son of Charles Princess Beatrice, as the elder daughter of Eugenie and cousin to William and Harry Princess Eugenie, as the younger daughter of Eugenie

It is crucial to understand that the current line of succession places George as the immediate successor, followed by his sisters and brothers, before any of the cousins.

Line of Succession Rules

The line of succession has historically been based on male-preference primogeniture, where the eldest son of the monarch is the next in line for the throne. However, in 2013, the monarchy adopted the rule of absolute primogeniture, meaning that the eldest child, regardless of gender, is now the next in line following the monarch.

According to these rules, George, as the eldest son of Prince William, is the next in line to the throne. Even if something were to happen to any of the other children, such as Charlotte or Louis, George would still maintain his position as the heir apparent. This rule ensures that the most direct line of descent always takes priority.

The Case of Prince Harry

Despite Harry's popularity and dedication to his public duties, it is highly unlikely that he would ever become King. The reason behind this is straightforward: even if Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles are not alive, Harry would need to outlive all of William's children to have any chance of ascending to the throne. This is a scenario that no one, including the Wills and Harry, would wish for.

To give a more concrete example, if William were to pass away, George would automatically become King. Even if Harry were to outlive William and his children, the law still states that George, as the eldest son, would take precedence. For Harry to have a chance, all of William's children would have to pass away before he did, and his own direct children would also have to predecease him, a highly improbable event under any circumstances.

Historical Precedents and the Role of King and Regent

Historically, if a King were younger than 18, the Monarch's mother would often act as Regent until the Crown Prince came of age. This has been a common practice in many monarchies. If something were to happen to Prince George, his mother, Princess Catherine, would likely serve as his Regent until he reaches 18 years of age or is able to take on the responsibilities of the Crown under the law.

It is important to consider that while the line of succession is critical to the governance of the United Kingdom, the role of a King or Regent also involves significant responsibilities. The considerations of the nation and the efficient governance of the country are paramount, making the role of a Regent essential during such a transition.

Conclusion: Prince George is next in line to the British throne, and this is a role he will likely continue to hold, barring any unforeseen circumstances that result in the loss of William and his children. For Harry to have any chance of the throne, it would require an almost unimaginable series of events to unfold.