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LOTTE HISTORY

How Princess Charlotte made history when Prince Louis was born and will Meghan and Harry’s baby be an heir to the throne?

PRINCESS Charlotte, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, made history when her little brother Louis was born on April 23, 2018.

When Kate and William's third child entered the world something special happened for the three-year-old princess - and that's down to the Succession to the Crown Act of 2013.

 Princess Charlotte stole our hearts with her waves to the crowds when she went to meet her new baby brother Prince Louis
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Princess Charlotte stole our hearts with her waves to the crowds when she went to meet her new baby brother Prince LouisCredit: EPA

Why did Princess Charlotte make history?

Princess Charlotte became the first female royal to retain her claim to the throne, despite the having a younger brother.

Before the Succession to the Crown Act 2013 the birth of a son meant he would leap over any older daughters in the line of succession.

Therefore Princess Anne, despite being the Queen's second child, was in the line of succession beneath her younger brothers Andrew and Edward.

Princess Charlotte is the first royal not ruled out by gender, meaning that Prince Louis will be the fifth-in-line to the throne.

 Prince Harry's child will be seventh in line to the throne - regardless of gender
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Prince Harry's child will be seventh in line to the throne - regardless of gender

What are the rules of succession to the throne?

The Succession to the Crown Act 2013 means that a female royal’s claim to the throne is no longer diminished by the arrival of a younger brother.

It states: “In determining the succession to the Crown, the gender of a person born after 28 October 2011 does not give that person, or that person’s descendants, precedence over any other person (whenever born).”

Interestingly, as a result of the Act, had five-year-old Prince George been a girl, he still would have been next in line to the throne after his grandfather Prince Charles and dad Prince William - even if any younger siblings were boys.

 Princess Charlotte is the first royal not ruled out by gender
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Princess Charlotte is the first royal not ruled out by genderCredit: EPA

Previously, the 1701 succession act stated that brothers would always come before their sisters when it came to who was first in line to the throne.

This year Prince Charles fuelled rumours that his wife Camilla Barker Bowles might become queen, after a statement saying she will become "Princess Consort" was removed from his website.

Meanwhile the Queen has more faith in Princes William and Harry than she does in son Charles, according to Andrew Morton’s book.

 Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte pictured together for the first time
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Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte pictured together for the first timeCredit: PA:Press Association

When did Kate give birth?

Kate Middleton gave birth to Prince Louis, on April 23, 2018.

Her husband Prince William was at her side.

The boy weighed 8lb, 7oz and is a brother for Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

Is Meghan Markle pregnant and where will her child fall in the line of succession?

Kensington Palace confirmed the news of the pregnancy on October 15, 2018.

The newborn is due in late April, 2019.

The Duchess of Sussex’s baby will be a member of the Royal Family in its own right – as it will be the child of Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex.

Prince Harry is the sixth in line to the throne – he is the son of Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales and the late Princess Diana.

Harry’s dad is the next in line to the British throne, while older brother William is the second.

The Sussex baby – regardless of its gender – will become the seventh in line to the British throne – bumping Prince Andrew, the Duke of York into eighth.

Proud Dad Prince William returns to Lindo Wing with Prince George and Princess Charlotte after Kate Middleton gives birth to a baby boy - their third child at St Mary's hospital
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