Princess Charlotte fends off new baby brother, makes royal history in total girl-power move
April 23 may belong to the new royal baby, but there’s a bound to be a spring in his big sister’s step too.
That’s because Princess Charlotte, at the grand age of 2, has made history by being the first British royal princess to not lose her place in the line of succession upon the birth of a younger male sibling.
Traditionally, a female royal would be bypassed by a younger brother, which is why Prince Andrew and Prince Edward and their respective children are closer to the throne than Princess Anne, who is older.
But with the Succession to the Crown Act of 2013, male royals born on or after Oct. 28, 2011, no longer take precedence over their older sisters. It’s a modern adjustment that has already been put into practice, as two of the Duke of Gloucester’s young grandsons trail their big sisters.
Princess Charlotte, however, is the first princess to make the power play. She remains fourth in the line of succession, after grandfather Prince Charles, father Prince William, and older brother Prince George. The new baby, born at St. Mary’s in London Monday morning, will be fifth in line, knocking Prince Harry down a level.
Will the toddler — who turns 3 in May — ever become queen? Well … at 69, Prince Charles is the oldest and longest-serving heir apparent in royal history. If subsequent reigns follow Queen Elizabeth II’s record-breaking 66-year lead, or if Prince George fathers any children, her shot at the throne may be unlikely.
Still, one can never underestimate the appeal of bragging rights over a baby brother — or plain ol’ girl power.
WHO RUN THE WORLD?!
Princess Charlotte. https://t.co/kmVQ3HLqtP
— Gina (@justlikeneon86) April 23, 2018
Ahhh the brown #LindoWing door…#kate & wills don’t know if this #royalbaby is a boy or a girl but if a boy (my call) then he will make history as he won’t supplant #princessCharlotte in the order of succession. She will still be fourth in line, this baby fifth. #girlpower pic.twitter.com/ohYbGozHlf
— Emily Andrews (@byEmilyAndrews) April 23, 2018
Genuinely, it’s really exciting because it’s the first time ever that Princess Charlotte won’t be bumped down in line for the throne just because she’s a girl and the new baby is a boy!! Hell yea for the Royal Family jumping forward like maybe 7 years
— GRACE (@GraceGarde) April 23, 2018
Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:
Here’s what the Duchess of Cambridge wore on the hospital steps after both her previous births
The cutest Prince George and Princess Charlotte moments
Kate Middleton wears skinny black jeans in final public appearance before giving birth
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