How royal baby has affected line of succession to British throne

KATE and William’s new baby boy will occupy an unfamiliar place in the line of succession, thanks to a recent rule change.

THE birth of Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge’s third child overnight means some reshuffling of the succession to the British throne — and it’s bad news for uncle Prince Harry’s prospects of ever becoming King.

Thanks to a relatively recent law change, however, the new Prince’s big sister Charlotte will see her spot in the succession remain unchanged.

The succession to the British throne “is regulated not only through descent but also by Parliamentary statute,” according to the royal family’s website.

And with Prince William and his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, having their third child, the line of succession has changed. Here’s a look at who currently is in line for the throne after Queen Elizabeth II, who is 92.

1. Prince Charles

Could Charles soon be king? Picture: AFP

Charles, the Prince of Wales, is the oldest child of Queen Elizabeth II. He is 69 years old and the heir apparent to the throne.

2. The Duke of Cambridge

Prince William, second in line for the throne. Picture: JOR/Capital Pictures/ MEGA

Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, is the oldest son of Charles. The 35-year-old is second in line to the throne. He married Kate Middleton in 2011.

3. Prince George of Cambridge

Prince George today, meeting his baby brother for the first time. Picture: AFP

At only four years old, Prince George of Cambridge is third in line of succession to the British throne. He is the oldest child of Prince William.

4. Princess Charlotte of Cambridge

She’s already perfected the royal wave. Picture: Getty

Princess Charlotte of Cambridge is the second child of Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge. She is 2 years old. Interestingly, until 2013, the birth of her younger brother would have bumped Charlotte down a spot in the succession to the throne — with male heirs historically having preference over their female counterparts.

A change to the Succession of the Crown Act made in 2013 levelled the playing field for male and female newborns, meaning that princes no longer take precedence, Girl power!

5. Prince of Cambridge (third child of Prince William)

One very powerful baby. Picture: Getty

Kate Middleton and Prince William welcomed a baby boy on April 23, making him fifth in line to the throne. The name of the new royal has not yet been announced.

6. Prince Henry of Wales

Harry just got bumped down a spot in the line of succession — by a newborn. Picture: AFP

Prince Henry of Wales — also referred to as Harry — is now the sixth in line to the throne. He is the younger son of Charles, the Prince of Wales.

7. Duke of York

Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York. Picture: AFP

Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, is Queen Elizabeth II’s third child and second son. The 58-year-old is seventh in line of succession to the British throne.

8. Princess Beatrice of York

Princess Beatrice, lover of unusual headgear. Picture: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty

Princess Beatrice of York is Prince Andrew’s oldest daughter. She is 29 years old.

9. Princess Eugenie of York

Princess Eugenie is ninth in line for the throne. Picture: Getty

At 28 years old, Princess Eugenie of York is the youngest daughter of Prince Andrew. She is ninth in line for the throne.

10. The Earl of Wessex

Prince Edward and friend at Adelaide Zoo earlier this month. Picture: AAP

Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, is the third son of Queen Elizabeth II. The 54-year-old is her fourth child and 10th in line for the throne.

11. Viscount Severn

At 10 years old, James, the Viscount Severn, is the youngest grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II. He is the only son of Prince Edward.

12. The Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor

Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor is the oldest child of Prince Edward. Lady Louise, 14, is the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II.

13. The Princess Royal

Anne, the Princess Royal, is the only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and her second child. At 67 years old, she is 13th in line of succession to the throne.

14. Mr Peter Phillips

Peter Phillips, 40, is the only son and oldest child of Anne, Princess Royal.

15. Miss Savannah Philips

Savannah Ann Kathleen is the first child of Peter Phillips. The 7-year-old is also the first great-grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II.

16. Miss Isla Phillips

Isla Elizabeth Phillips, 6, is the daughter of Peter Phillips. She is 16th in line to the throne.

17. Mrs Michael Tindall

Zara Tindall, 36, is the only daughter of Anne, Princess Royal. She is also Anne’s second child.

18. Miss Mia Tindall

Mia Grace Tindall, 4, is Zara and Mike’s first child and the youngest grandchild of Princess Anne.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This story originally appeared on Fox News and is republished here with permission.