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Princess Charlotte's surprising advantage over Princess Anne and Lady Louise Windsor revealed

Prince William and Kate's daughter made history at the age of two

royal rule
Danielle Stacey
Online Royal CorrespondentLondon
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The Prince and Princess of Wales' daughter Princess Charlotte made history when she was just two years old after the birth of her younger brother, Prince Louis, in April 2018.

Charlotte became the first female royal to benefit from The Succession to the Crown Act (2013), which states that girls will not be overtaken by younger brothers.

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While Charlotte has retained her place as third-in-line to the throne in front of Louis, other female royals missed out on the change, as the Act only applies to those born after 28 October 2011.

The late Queen and Duke of Edinburgh's only daughter Princess Anne is much further down the line of succession than her younger brothers Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.

The Princess Royal, who celebrated her 72nd birthday in August, is currently in 16th place behind her niece Lady Louise Windsor.

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sophie wessex anne family© Photo: Getty Images

Princess Anne and Lady Louise are much further down the line of succession

If the rules had been changed at the time of Anne's birth in 1950, her children Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall would be much closer to the throne than their cousins Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who are currently tenth and 11th.

The Earl and Countess of Wessex's daughter Lady Louise Windsor, 19, was also overtaken by her younger brother James, Viscount Severn in the line of succession after his birth in 2007. James is currently 14th in line, while Lady Louise is 15th.

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louis christening© Photo: Getty Images

Charlotte kept her place in the line of succession when Louis was born

Princess Charlotte is the only female royal who has benefited from this change so far. Other monarchies in which the eldest child is the heir, regardless of gender, include Sweden, the Netherlands, Norway and Belgium, while in Spain and Monaco, males take precedence over females.

For example, Prince Albert of Monaco and Princess Charlene's son Prince Jacques is the heir apparent, despite being two minutes younger than his twin sister, Princess Gabriella.

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