What Will Happen to the Royal Family if Prince Charles Dies?

Most royal family enthusiasts know that Prince Charles is next in line to be king once Queen Elizabeth passes away. But, the Prince of Wales and future heir to the British throne is already 71 years old.

So understandably, folks want to know who would get to sit in the big chair if Charles were to die before the queen? Will it be Prince William and his family, or will other unspoken royal protocols be put into place first?

Queen Elizabeth Won’t Be Around Forever

Queen Elizabeth has reigned supreme over the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms for several decades. But she’s also 94 years old, though she probably has a long way to go thanks to her mother.

Her Mother Lived a Long Life

To avoid confusion with her daughter, Queen Elizabeth’s mom was known as “Queen Elizabeth: The Queen Mother,” and she lived to the age of 101. But although we want Elizabeth II to live forever, the world will lose her someday. What will the royal family do when this happens?

The Line of Succession is Key

The royal line of succession is the order in which the British royal family assumes the powers and duties of the throne. If the current monarch dies, then the next royal in line will take over. But with so many royals, how do they decide who’s next?

Several Factors Play a Role in the Decision

According to Insider, ancestry is the first thing the royals look at when deciding who’s next in line, followed by legitimacy. Even religion can affect a royal’s odds of becoming the next king or queen.