If you search on the Web, it is easy to find the order of succession for the British throne. I could not find a specific set of rules, but it appears to be what in data science is called a depth first scan – if you can move down or across on the family tree, first go down.

Using this rule, Charles was first because he was the oldest male child of Elizabeth. Ann is older than Charles, but apparently she comes after all Elizabeth’s sons.

After Charles comes William, Charles’ oldest son. Then going down the tree come William’s children in order of birth. Then comes Harry followed by Harry’s children. Then comes Andrew, Elizabeth’s second oldest son.

Is the depth first scan true for all monarchies? It seems to me that a breadth first scan makes more sense – move across the family tree before moving down. Ignoring the issue of gender discrimination, this would change the order to Charles, then Andrew and all of Elizabeth’s other children. Next would be William and then Harry and all the rest of Elizabeth’s grandchildren.

Topics: royalty, Queens, kings, Succession, throne