Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, died in Scotland on Thursday after doctors became concerned about her health, according to Buckingham Palace sources.
Of course, there are a lot of questions begging for answers, especially as Prince Charles, being the oldest son of the late monarch ascended the throne at the age of 73. Many Nigerians have been longing to know the royal line of succession to the British throne.
Quest Times, in a bid to answer all of these questions, will be explaining in details what next after Queen Elizabeth’s death.
Why Prince Charles?
Only the first 10 successors are included in the line of succession. Prince Charles being the first in the list of the first 10 successors and also the heir apparent, was declared King of Britain immediately after the death of his mother.
How it works
Within 24 hours of a monarch’s death, a new sovereign is proclaimed formally as soon as possible at St. James’s Palace in London by the “Accession Council.” This is made up of officials from the Privy Council, which includes senior Cabinet ministers, judges and leaders of the Church of England, who are summoned to the palace for the meeting.
Charles must declare to Parliament on the first day of its session following the accession, or at the coronation, whichever is first, that he is a faithful Protestant. The oath is mandated by the Accession Declaration Act of 1910.
He must also take a coronation oath as prescribed by the Coronation Oath Act of 1689, the Act of Settlement of 1701 and the Accession Declaration Act.
He must be in communion with the Church of England, a flexible rule which allowed King George I and King George II to reign even though they were Lutherans.
Charles and Camilla’s “queen consort” title
Charles Philip will be known as King Charles III, according to Clarence House, his official residence. It will interest you to note that Charles’ wife won’t be called queen but instead a “queen consort” as the late Queen Elizabeth II wished during her lifetime.
Who will succeed Charles?
The heir apparent to the throne is now Charles’s elder son, William, 40, known as the Duke of Cambridge. Next in line is William’s eldest child, Prince George, who is 9; and then Princess Charlotte, 7; and Prince Louis, 4.
How does the order of succession change?
The line of succession is fluid, and the sequence often changes. Royals can move up or down a place whenever a member dies or abdicates or when a new baby is born.