Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced on Valentine’s Day they are expecting their second child, breaking the news via a black and white photo on Instagram.
The couple are already parents to Archie Mountbatten, who was born in May 2019. The baby will likely be the Queen’s tenth great-grandchild, with her ninth, Princess Eugenie’s first child, born only a few days ago.
As the royal family continues to grow, the line of succession becomes harder to follow – so who is likely to become the British monarch in the future?
What is the current line of succession to the British throne?
After Queen Elizabeth II, the next member of the Royal Family in line to be crowned is her oldest son, Charles, Prince Of Wales.
Then the responsibility falls to Prince William, Duke Of Cambridge – and after that, his seven-year-old son, Prince George.
Things start to get complicated from here – with the line of succession shifting with each new child.
What is the current line of succession to the British throne?
Reigning monarch: Queen Elizabeth II (born 1926)
1st – Charles, Prince of Wales (b. 1948)
2nd – Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (b. 1982)
3rd – Prince George of Cambridge (b. 2013)
4th – Princess Charlotte of Cambridge (b. 2015)
5th – Prince Louis of Cambridge (b. 2018)
6th – Prince Henry of Wales (Prince Harry) (b. 1984)
7th – Archie Harrison Mountbatten Windsor (b. 2019)
8th – Prince Andrew, Duke of York (b. 1960)
9th – Princess Beatrice of York (b. 1988)
10th – Princess Eugenie of York (b. 1990)
11th – Princess Eugenie of York’s baby (Master Brookbank) (b. 2021)
12th – Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex (b. 1964)
13th – James, Viscount Severn (b. 2007)
14th – Lady Louise Windsor (b. 2003)
15th – Anne, Princess Royal (b. 1950)
16th – Peter Phillips (b. 1977)
17th – Savannah Phillips (b. 2010)
18th – Isla Phillips (b. 2012)
19th – Zara Tindall (née Phillips; b. 1981)
20th – Mia Tindall (b. 2014)
Harry and Meghan’s new baby will enter the line of succession after their older brother Archie, making them eighth in line for the throne.
Previously, younger male siblings would have jumped ahead of their older sisters in the line of succession, but the rules changed in 2015 as part of the Succession to the Crown Act.
If the change had not been made, Prince Louis would be ahead of Charlotte for the crown, despite being younger than her.
If Prince George starts a family when he is older, his children would fall ahead of his two siblings in line to the throne.
Queen Elizabeth II is now 94 years-old and has been married to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, for 73 years.
The Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden recently announced plans for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years on the throne, for next year.
MORE : Harry and Meghan’s touching nod to Princess Diana in baby announcement
MORE : Princess Eugenie beams as she leaves hospital with baby boy and husband
MORE : The Crown star Emma Corrin shares advice for Princess Diana replacement Elizabeth Debicki
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