Princess Charlotte: How Queen Elizabeth changed the course of her life long before her birth

Queen Elizabeth II will always be remembered as the monarch who introduced many changes to the monarchy including one that heavily impacted Princess Charlotte.

Princess Charlotte Queen Elizabeth II Succession of the Crown Act
© Max Mumby/Getty_Images
Princess Charlotte Queen Elizabeth II Succession of the Crown Act

Family relations are always sweeter than professional relationships. You could be the CEO of a company but would still be a child, parent or grandparent to someone. Similar was the case with our late Queen Elizabeth II, she may have been one of the leading figures in the world, but she was always the beloved ‘Gan-Gan’ to her grandchildren - especially, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

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Not only was their ‘Gan-Gan’ an affectionate lady with a lot of power, but she was also someone who changed the course of Royal history before Princess Charlotte was born. Wondering what she did? Let’s find out here!

Queen Elizabeth ensured Princess Charlotte got her Royal rights

According to the Royal laws, males always took precedence in the line of succession. Meaning, the monarch’s sons would be given preference in the line of succession over daughters. Princess Anne - who is evidently King Charles’ strongest support now - was impacted by the same law as she was pushed down the line of succession after Prince Andrew and Prince Edward’s birth.

However, before Princess Charlotte was born in 2015, the late monarch changed the law. In 2013, the Queen issued the Succession of the Crown Act which updated Royal laws and ensured that ALL children would have equal rights to the throne regardless of their gender, reports The Mirror. This meant that despite having a younger brother, Princess Charlotte’s position in the line of succession wasn’t impacted, unlike Princess Anne.

The Royal website confirms that the change of law is implemented for every Royal Child born after 28 October 2011. As such, the current line of succession is -

  • SOVEREIGN
  • The Prince of Wales
  • Prince George of Wales
  • Princess Charlotte of Wales
  • Prince Louis of Wales

While the Queen may have made the change without realising how it would impact the next generation’s Royals, she certainly made a big change possible not just for Princess Charlotte but for all the Royals to come. For instance, if the Sussex couple plans a third child, regardless of its gender Princess Lilibetwould still be 7th-in-line to the throne.

Princess Charlotte ‘more in charge’ than Princes George and Louis

Whether it be the rule-change impact or just good parenting on Prince William and Kate Middleton’s part, Princess Charlotte - potentially the most popular royal kid - is the one George and Louis look up to. Global parenting expert Jo Frost told Hello! Magazine that there have been many moments in the past where our future King - Prince George - has ‘looked over at his sister’ to get reminded of things he needs to follow in public.

This comes as Princess Kate and Prince William are training all their children to be ‘more aware’ of Royal protocol. She added:

I think William and Catherine understand the importance of nurturing the sibling relationships between the three of them.

Previously, Kate has also confessed that Princess Charlotte is ‘in-charge’ at home. Opening up about her kids in 2017, the doting mother explained how Charlotte ‘rules the roost,’ confirms Hello! Magazine. Samantha Burge, the wife of Warrant Officer Class 2 Chris Burge shared:

Kate said that Charlotte is growing up really fast. She is the one in charge

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Sources Used

Mirror: Princess Charlotte's extraordinary gesture from late Queen that changed royals forever

Royal Website: Succession

Hello! Magazine: How Princess Charlotte rules the roost at home: 'She keeps George and Louis in check'

Hello! Magazine: Kate reveals Princess Charlotte is 'in charge' of big brother Prince George

Kate Middleton, Princess Charlotte and Princess Anne: Can these women ensure the future of the monarchy? Kate Middleton, Princess Charlotte and Princess Anne: Can these women ensure the future of the monarchy?