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Meghan Markle pregnant: Where will the new royal baby be placed in line for the throne?

Princes Charles and William head queue to succeed Queen Elizabeth II

Joe Sommerlad
Tuesday 16 October 2018 08:49 BST
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Meghan Markle pregnant: Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry expecting a baby

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The news that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expecting their first child together means a new name will be added to the list of those in line for the British throne.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s child will be the seventh in line to succeed Queen Elizabeth II, pushing Prince Andrew one place down the roster.

As the Queen’s eldest male heir, Prince Charles is primed to take his mother’s place at the head of the British monarchy, followed by his son, William, and the duke’s three children with the Duchess of Cambridge: George, Charlotte and Louis.

Harry himself is in sixth spot and will be followed by his forthcoming son or daughter and any further children he and his wife have together.

Thereafter, Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, appears, followed by his daughters with Sarah Ferguson, Beatrice and Eugenie. Eugienie married Jack Brooksbank at Windsor Castle last week in a lavish ceremony.

Prince Edward and his children take precedence over the Princess Royal and her offspring.

Kensington Palace said the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are “very pleased” and that the Duchess is expecting the baby in the spring of 2019.

“Their Royal Highnesses have appreciated all of the support they have received from people around the world since their wedding in May and are delighted to be able to share this happy news with the public.”

British Royal Family order of succession

  1. Prince Charles, Prince of Wales
  2. Prince William, Duke of Cambridge
  3. Prince George of Cambridge
  4. Princess Charlotte of Cambridge
  5. Prince Louis of Cambridge
  6. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
  7. ?
  8. Prince Andrew, Duke of York
  9. Princess Beatrice
  10. Princess Eugenie
  11. Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex
  12. James, Viscount Severn
  13. Lady Louse Mountbatten-Windsor
  14. Princess Anne, the Princess Royal
  15. Peter Phillips
  16. Savannah Phillips
  17. Isla Phillips
  18. Zara Philipps
  19. Mia Grace Tindall
  20. Lena Elizabeth Tindall
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