Why Is Princess Anne Not Higher in the Line of Succession to the British Throne?
Learn why Princess Anne ranks below her brothers in the British line of succession despite being older, and how the 2013 Succession to the Crown Act affected royal succession rules.
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Princess Anne is indeed in the line of succession, but she ranks below her younger brothers and their descendants due to the rules governing the British royal succession at the time of her birth. Until the 2013 Succession to the Crown Act, males were given precedence over their older sisters in the line of succession. Although the Act changed this for those born after October 28, 2011, it did not apply retroactively to those born before this date. Consequently, Princess Anne is currently 16th in line following her brothers and their children and grandchildren.
FAQs & Answers
- Is Princess Anne currently in the line of succession to the British throne? Yes, Princess Anne is in the line of succession but ranks below her younger brothers and their descendants due to the succession rules in place at the time of her birth.
- What did the 2013 Succession to the Crown Act change? The 2013 Act removed male preference in succession for those born after October 28, 2011, ensuring that birth order determines succession regardless of gender.
- Why does male precedence still affect Princess Anne's position? Because the 2013 Act does not apply retroactively, Princess Anne, born before 2011, remains behind her younger brothers in the line of succession.
- Who currently ranks ahead of Princess Anne in the line of succession? Princess Anne's younger brothers—Prince Andrew and Prince Edward—and their children and grandchildren rank ahead of her.