As an American I'm confused about Royal succession. All the talk is over William and Kate's newborn King. How does it work? It seems to me Charles would be the next King when Elizabeth is no longer on the throne. After that, William, then Harry. How does the baby get the title of "next King"?
You are correct... from all I've read today on MSN home page.
Here is what's stated on the page:
The royal baby will be known as His Royal Highness Prince of Cambridge and immediately becomes third in line to the British crown, after grandfather Prince Charles and father Prince William. The British rules of succession were amended in January to remove male preference, allowing for a male or female heir to inherit the throne.
Harry being the second born now becomes 4th in line (he is just considered a spare ) in case the others cannot fulfill the position when it becomes their time to do so.
It is always the first born that takes the title, so Charles was the first of the Queens children, William was the first born of Charles and now they have had a baby he is the next in line.
They are changing the rules now so that if the first born is a girl she can inherit the title.
We have a female on the throne now because she was the first born and only had a sister but if her parents had had a boy after her he would have been on the throne instead of Elizabeth.
As a matter of interest Queen Elizabeth is a little more than 2 years from becoming the longest reigning British monarch. That record is currently held by Queen Victoria who ruled from 1837 - 1901. Her chances of achieving that seem good. Her mother was 101 when she died.
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