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Contributor: Elephango Editors. Lesson ID: 13275
Discover the drama, traditions, and surprises of the British royal family! Learn who’s next in line for the throne and uncover the fascinating history behind the monarchy’s succession rules.
Imagine you're next in line for one of the most famous jobs in the world—ruling an entire kingdom!
The British royal family has a fascinating history, and their line of succession isn’t as simple as oldest to youngest.
The rules of who gets to be king or queen are full of twists, traditions, and surprises.
A Brief History of the British Monarchy
The British Monarchy has seen its fair share of drama, and one of the biggest shake-ups happened in 1936.
King Edward VIII, who was supposed to rule, gave up the throne to marry Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee. At the time, a king marrying a divorced woman was considered unacceptable.
Edward’s choice to step down—called an abdication—changed the royal line forever.
When Edward left, his younger brother became King George VI. He ruled until 1952, when his daughter, Princess Elizabeth, became Queen Elizabeth II.
Her reign lasted 70 years, making her the longest-reigning monarch in British history. When she passed away in 2022, her son Charles became King Charles III.
The Line of Succession
Here’s how the line of succession works. It’s based on a mix of tradition, laws, and updates like the Succession to the Crown Act of 2013, which ended the rule that sons automatically came before daughters.
Today, the throne goes to the monarch’s oldest child, no matter their gender. So, the Prince of Wales, Prince William, will be king after his father, King Charles III.
Watch this 2023 video to see the line of succession as of April 2023.
Head to the Got It? section to find out!
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