In a groundbreaking shift for the British monarchy, Princess Charlotte‘s birth marked a pivotal moment in royal succession.
Thanks to a significant change made by her late great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, the trajectory of the royal family was forever altered.
This change was not just a small tweak; it was a monumental step towards gender equality within the royal line of succession.
Born in May 2015, Princess Charlotte holds the esteemed position of third in line to the throne, following her father, Prince William, and her older brother, Prince George.
Her place in the royal hierarchy is a direct result of the Succession to the Crown Act, a piece of legislation that Queen Elizabeth II championed in 2013, just two years before Charlotte entered the world.
This act was revolutionary, ensuring that all royal children, irrespective of their gender, would have an equal claim to the throne.
Before this act, the rules heavily favored male heirs, a system that left many female royals, like Princess Anne, at a disadvantage.
Born in 1950, Anne found herself slipping down the line of succession as her younger brothers, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, were born.
The antiquated system of male primogeniture meant that sons would always take precedence over daughters, regardless of birth order—a reality that changed with Charlotte’s arrival.
The implications of this new law became crystal clear when Prince Louis was born in April 2018.
Under the previous rules, Charlotte could have been displaced by her younger brother.
However, thanks to the Succession to the Crown Act, she retained her position, solidifying her role in the royal family’s future.
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