Royal lineage

[robbo82]

Leading on from djc's question about heirs to the throne, are we all in line to the throne at some point? Like if everyone in Europe died, and I happened to be in Australia at the time, would I be close to being in line to the throne, because I must be very, very distantly related to the Royals, somewhere along the line?

[shammydodger]

Close? Don't hold your breath. Is this a deliberate wind up Robbo? Have you got wing nuts for ears??

[seekeerz]

Don't like your chances even if you are 'downunder' visiting us robbo, think our 'revered leader' fancies his chances there - sorry to disappoint !! cheers

[Lonnie]

I suppose, theoretically, if you blieve in Adam ans Eve, then we'er all related, so we must all be in line for the throne.

[seekeerz]

what an almighty traffic jam that'd cause Lonnie !! but heading which way ?

[Marika]

Poor robbo!

[mycats]

Not much point in being King if everyone in Europe is dead is there? lol

[kempie]

Succession in the United Kingdom is governed by the Act of Union 1800, which restates the provisions of the Act of Settlement 1701 and the Bill of Rights (1689).

Those who are not legitimate descendants of Sophia, Electress of Hanover, those who have ever been Roman Catholics, or who have married Roman Catholics are disbarred from succeeding to the Crown.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophia_of_Hanover

[robbo82]

Alright then, maybe I was being a bit optimistic. I'm just curious how far back the list as to who's in line to the throne goes, though. I have a book that's got the first 40 people in line to the throne listed, is there a recorded list anywhere with thousands of names on, in the eventuality that a lot of people are wiped out in one go?

[kempie]

Here's the first 907

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_of_succession_to_the_British_throne

[druiaghtagh]

I am 12,342, 740 in line, i believe you are just behind me robbo 82, sorry !

[souldriver]

so why aren't catholics allowed to ascend the throne?

[kempie]

The Monarch is also the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, the 'mother' and senior branch of the worldwide Anglican Communion, a Protestant denomination of Christianity.

Henry VIII and all that...

[Hammond Egg]

Because the monarch is Supreme Governor of the Church in England. In religious matters, a Catholic would be expected to defer to the Pope, and would thereby lose the church in England its independence.

[marwel7]

Why would you want the job? The hours are lousy,24 hours a day,which must cut down the hourly rate,and although there are some perks the incidence of repetitive stress syndrome must be very high with all that hand-waving.

[GMH]

After having a good look at Kempie's Wikipedia link, I think that we can be easily assured the monarchy has a good future ahead of us.

Is Prince and Princess Michael of Kent in line to the throne? I didn't see them listed on that page.

[THECORBYLOON]

Princess MIchael of Kent is a Roman Catholic and is excluded from the line of succession as a result. Prince Michael of Kent was excluded because he married a Roman Catholic.