'Baby joy to royal panic': Princess Eugenie's third baby will derail the line to the throne
Eugenie's baby bliss means a very regal shake up
It is happy news for the royal family as Princess Eugenie revealed she is expecting her third baby this week – well, it will be for some of the royals.
Other members of The Firm could be unimpressed, as they will be pushed further away from the throne in the line of succession. This is everyone who will feel the shift…
Princess Eugenie’s pregnancy announcement
Princes Eugenie had taken a six month hiatus from social media and returned with a big announcement to share with her followers.
In a sweet snap shared to her feed, the top of August and Ernest’s heads could be seen as they held an ultrasound image. The princess penned in the caption: “Baby Brooksbank due 2026!”
And of course, Buckingham Palace confirmed the news.
The palace’s statement in full read: “Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie and Mr Jack Brooksbank are very pleased to announce that they are expecting their third child together, due this summer.
“August (aged five) and Ernest (aged two) are also very excited to have another sibling join the family.
“His Majesty The King has been informed and is delighted with the news.”
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How Princess Eugenie’s third baby will impact the line of succession
The new royal being welcomed into the fold means that other members of The Firm are shunted down the line to the throne – pushing them even further away from grasping the crown.
Eugenie’s third baby will be born 15th in line to the throne. This means, their great uncle Prince Edward, will move down to 16th place, which will in turn shift down his children.
Edward and wife Sophie’s second child, James, is currently 16th in line to the throne, but will move down to the 17th place, at the birth of Eugenie’s third baby.
The older sister of the Earl of Wessex, Lady Louise Windsor, was born in 2003 and currently holds the 17th place, but will be moved down the line to 18th, behind her brother.
Lady Louise Windsor is reportedly behind her little brother in the line of succession because she was born when the traditional system allowed a younger son to replace an older daughter.
This will also mean that Princess Anne, who is currently in the 18th spot, will move down to 19th and subsequently, her children and their children will also be moved down the line.
Why is Princess Anne so far down in the line of succession?
Princess Anne is the only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip and their second child after King Charles III, but due to the same traditional system that puts Lady Louise Windsor behind James Wessex, Princess Anne has always been far behind even her younger brothers in terms of taking the crown.
At the moment, Anne’s son Peter holds the 19th spot, whilst her daughter Zara holds the 22nd spot, as she is behind Peter’s two daughters, Isla and Savannah.
Neither of Princess Anne’s children have royal titles. Although they are the children of a senior role, this was something Anne declined when they were born.
This will put Peter in the 20th spot in line for the throne and Zara in the 23rd.
As it stands, in 23rd, 24th and 25th place in the line of succession are Zara and Mike Tindall’s three children (Mia, Lena and Lucas Tindall) respectively.
Princess Eugenie’s third baby will also be the 15th great-grandchild of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Eugenie’s third bundle of joy will also be the fifth grandchild of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who is 8th in line to the throne, despite no longer holding his titles.
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