Is Prince Harry Still in the Line of Succession?

Current Position in the Succession

Prince Harry is currently sixth in the line of succession to the British throne. This follows the birth of his children, Archie and Lilibet, and the positions of senior working royals ahead of him. As the younger son of Prince Charles (now King Charles III), Harry was originally third in line at birth, behind his father and elder brother, Prince William. Events including William’s marriage and children, along with Harry’s decision to step back as a senior royal, shifted his rank. The exact, up-to-date order can be verified on official resources such as the official royal family website and legislation.gov.uk.

Succession Order (Key Examples)

How British Succession Rules Work

The line of succession is governed by statute and common law, primarily the Act of Settlement 1701, the Succession to the Crown Act 2013, and related agreements among the Commonwealth realms. These establish birth order as the main criterion, with additional rules about religion, marriage, and residency. Key points include:

• Succession follows legitimate descent from Sophia of Hanover, limited to Protestant descendants.
• The 2013 reform removed male-preference primogeniture for those born after 28 October 2011, so younger sisters no longer leapfrog older brothers.
• Marriage to a Roman Catholic no longer disqualifies an individual, though the monarch must still be in communion with the Church of England.
• Laws applying in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are aligned across the UK through the Perth Agreement’s domestic implementation.

Impact of Titles and Marriage

Hereditary titles and marriage influence style and duties but do not automatically remove someone from the succession. Renouncing succession is a rare, formal act. Notable points include:

• Harry retained his place in succession despite marrying Meghan Markle, an American divorcée, because the 2013 provisions allow the monarch’s consent to marriages that would previously have required approval under the Royal Marriages Act 1772.
• Harry and William share the same succession rank they would have had if their parents had remained married and birth order alone determined position.
• The decision to step back as a senior working royal affected budgets, security arrangements, and the use of royal funds, but did not alter legal succession rights.

Renunciation and Reinstatement

Under the Succession to the Crown Act 2013, a person who is in the line of succession may marry without losing their place, provided the relevant consent is obtained. However, an earlier mechanism allowed for formal renunciation. Sir George Buckley is the only known person to have renounced succession under those rules. To date:

• Prince Harry has not formally renounced his place in succession.
• No public steps have been taken to reinstate any previously altered status regarding his succession rights.

What Stepping Back Means in Practice

Reducing senior duties affects visibility, public funding, and the scope of official obligations, but it does not erase legal standing. Key distinctions include:

• Legal succession versus practical role: Harry remains sixth in line, but he no longer carries out royal engagements on behalf of the Crown.
• Security and finance: The cost of security previously provided by public funds and the arrangement of private protection are separate from succession rules.
• Use of titles: Retaining the Duke of Sussex title is a matter of courtesy and internal family decision, not a driver of succession position.

Common Misconceptions

Some narratives conflate personal choices, marriage, or reduced visibility with automatic removal from the line of succession. In reality, British law is specific: only death, formal renunciation under the 1701 framework (before 2013), or disqualification for marrying without sovereign approval (largely removed now) change succession order. Public perception and media commentary do not alter the statutory register.

Implications for Family and Future Succession

Prince Harry remains sixth in line, and his children, Archie and Lilibet, are seventh and eighth respectively. Should all preceding individuals be unable to accede, the line would progress through Harry’s descendants. This underscores the importance of each birth within the family, regardless of how publicly active each generation is. The long-term shape of the monarchy will continue to be defined by these established rules.