Princess Charlotte may be just nine years old, but her prospects of one day ascending to the throne are looking brighter than those of Princess Anne.
A lesser-known royal rule, established during the reign of the late Queen Elizabeth II, plays a significant role in this intriguing comparison.
While the royal family has traditionally favored male heirs, recent changes have reshaped the line of succession in favor of the younger generation.
Historically, male offspring of the House of Windsor held precedence over their female siblings.
This long-standing tradition meant that daughters often took a backseat when it came to the throne.
However, in a progressive move, Queen Elizabeth II enacted new laws that eliminated this gender bias.
With these changes, the first child born to the Princess of Wales, regardless of gender, would automatically become the heir apparent.
The 2013 Act of Succession was a game-changer for the monarchy.
This legislation not only removed the preference for male heirs but also allowed individuals who married Roman Catholics to retain their place in the line of succession.
These reforms were implemented across all 16 realms in March 2015, marking a significant shift in royal protocol.
Given that Princess Charlotte was born after these changes took effect, her chances of becoming Queen are notably higher than those of her aunt, Princess Anne.
When Anne was born in 1950, she was second in line for the throne, right after her older brother, King Charles.
However, the arrival of Prince Andrew and Prince Edward pushed her down the line, and today, she finds herself in the seventeenth position.
In contrast, Charlotte’s standing remains more secure.
Although her elder brother, Prince George, is the future king, Charlotte’s position in the line of succession didn’t shift when Prince Louis was born in 2018.
This means that Charlotte’s path to the throne is less complicated than Anne’s was during her early years.
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