Princess Anne, often hailed as the hardest-working royal, holds an impressive record of dedication and commitment.
However, despite her tireless efforts, she finds herself placed 17th in line to the throne, behind US-based Prince Harry and the disgraced Duke of York.
This may come as a surprise to many, but the order of succession is not solely based on work ethic or popularity.
As a devoted supporter of her older brother, King Charles, Princess Anne’s position in the line of succession is affected by historical circumstances.
The order in which royals are placed in relation to the throne was established in the 17th century and solidified by the 1689 Bill of Rights and the 1701 Act of Settlement.
These documents granted Parliament the authority to strip a monarch of their title if they were found to have misgoverned and allowed MPs to regulate the succession.
Following James II’s departure from the country in 1688, the throne was offered to his daughter Mary and her husband, William of Orange.
This event marked the shift towards parliamentary control over the monarchy.
The 1701 Act of Settlement further cemented Parliament’s role in determining the title to the throne, specifying that only Protestant descendants of Princess Sophia, granddaughter of James I, are eligible to succeed.
In 2013, the Succession to the Crown Act brought about significant changes to the line of succession.
It abolished the system of male primogeniture, which previously allowed a younger son to displace an older daughter.
However, this amendment only applies to royals born after October 28, 2011.
As a result, Princess Anne finds herself ranked below female royals such as Princess Charlotte, Princess Lilibet, and Lady Louise Windsor.
Despite her lower position in the line of succession, Princess Anne has been recognized as an invaluable asset to the King.
In the past year, she has carried out an impressive 457 royal engagements, surpassing even King Charles himself, who completed 425 engagements.
Her dedication and work ethic have earned her the title of the King’s right-hand woman.
The Succession to the Crown Act also removed the disqualification of those who marry Roman Catholics from the line of succession.
This change took effect in all Commonwealth realms in March 2015, further ensuring a more inclusive and diverse royal family.
Currently, the first in line to succeed King Charles is Prince William, followed by his children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
Prince Harry, residing in California with his wife Meghan Markle, holds the fifth position, succeeded by his children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
The Duke of York, Prince Andrew, faces recent allegations regarding his relationship with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein and ranks eighth in line.
Princess Beatrice, her daughter Siena Moppeli-Mozzi, Princess Eugenie, and her sons August Brooksbank and Ernest Brooksbank follow Prince Andrew.
Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, holds the 14th position, followed by his son, the Earl of Wessex, and Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor.
Princess Anne’s son Peter Phillips and Zara Tyndall are 18th and 21st in line to the throne, respectively.