The Youngest Members of the British Royal Family: Why Ernest Isn't a Princess or Queen

The British royal family is a complex structure with specific rules regarding titles and succession. Among the youngest members of this family, Ernest George, born in May 2023, is the most notable. However, why Ernest is not considered a princess or queen might surprise some. Let's delve into the reasons behind this.

Meet Ernest George

In May 2023, Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, welcomed their son, Ernest George, to the family. He is the youngest son of Princess Eugenie, the younger sister of Princess Beatrice, the daughter of Prince Andrew and the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II. Ernest's older brother, August Philip, was born in February 2021. Despite joining the royal family at a young age, Ernest faces some unique challenges in his journey to a title within the royal ranks.

Understanding Title Assignment in the Royal Family

Contrary to popular misconceptions from media portrayals like 'Game of Thrones' and 'Disney' films, not every royal is automatically designated a princess or prince. Titles in the British royal family are not granted based on age or gender. Instead, they are bestowed based on specific familial relationships and ranking within the line of succession.

The line of succession is primarily determined by gender and relations to the monarch. In recent years, gender has played a less deterministic role due to the revised Succession to the Crown Act 2013. However, the current rules still dictate that female-line relatives are generally not as high in the line of succession as their male-line counterparts. In the case of Princess Eugenie's children, Ernest ranks lower than his cousin Sienna, who was born in September 2021 through Eugenie's older sister, Princess Beatrice.

Lucas Tindall: Another Young Member of the Royal Family

Lucas Tindall, born in March 2021, is another notable member of the royal family. He is the youngest son of Zara Tindall, the daughter of Princess Anne. Lucas enjoys royal status but, like Ernest, faces similar challenges in his title ascension. The name 'Princess' or 'Queen' might not be immediately attached to Lucas or Ernest due to their positions in the line of succession.

The Current Picture of Royal Succession

The British monarchy operates on a principle of lineal succession, meaning that the monarch’s closest family members are those in line to the throne. Currently, at the head of the line is King Charles III, followed by his children, grandchildren, and their children.

The youngest members of the royal family, like Ernest and Lucas, face a significant hurdle in receiving the title 'Prince' or 'Princess' because of their placement in the line of succession. While titles can be granted by the monarch, the rules typically favor the male line when in doubt. Therefore, Ernest George is not currently considered a princess or queen, even though he is a young member of the royal family.

Lilibet Diana: A Special Case

Lilibet, born to the royal family in July 2021, is a special case. She was named a Princess after her grandfather, King Charles III, ascended to the throne. Lilibet's sister, daughter of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, will not be given the title 'Princess' as she is not in the direct line of succession to the British throne.

It's also worth noting that Lilibet, born in the United States, will be educated there, where foreign titles are not recognized. This means that while Lilibet holds the title of Princess, her living arrangements may impact how she is referred to in some circles.

Conclusion

The young members of the British royal family, including Ernest Brooksbank, face unique circumstances in their title progression. Understanding the complex rules of royal succession helps shed light on why some family members are considered princesses or queens while others are not. The youngest members of the royal family must navigate these rules to secure their place in the royal lineage.

Key takeaways:

The line of succession determines who can ascend to the throne based on gender and relation to the monarch. Rules regarding titles favor the male line in the absence of a strong confirmation of the title. Living arrangements and education can impact how titles are applied in some contexts.

Stay tuned as the British royal family continues to evolve, and new members join this unique and historic lineage.