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What the new royal baby means for the throne

People all over the world let out a collective squeal in October when Kensington Palace announced that Kate Middleton and Prince William were expecting their third child.

The loved-up couple, who married in 2011, of course already have two other adorable tots, four-year-old Prince George and two-year-old Princess Charlotte.

With Prince George currently third in line to the throne and Princess Charlotte fourth, everyone’s been asking how the new baby will affect the succession to the throne?

Will Princess Charlotte still be fourth in line to the throne? Photo: Getty Images
Will Princess Charlotte still be fourth in line to the throne? Photo: Getty Images
It was announced last night that the Duchess of Cambridge is pregnant. Photo: Getty Images
It was announced last night that the Duchess of Cambridge is pregnant. Photo: Getty Images
Kate is suffering from Hypermesis Gravidarum. Photo: Getty Images
Kate is suffering from Hypermesis Gravidarum. Photo: Getty Images

You may think that as the third born, the baby would slip into line behind George and then Charlotte, but that's only the case due to a law change in 2013.

Queen Elizabeth pushed for the law to be changed to state that any offspring of the future monarch, regardless of gender, has the right to the throne, as previously, male heirs would leapfrog their sisters - as was the case for Princess Anne when her younger brothers Prince Edward and Andrew were born.

So for the first time in history, Princess Charlotte will actually remain as fourth in line, behind her brother, Prince George, her father, Prince William and her grandfather Prince Charles.

The new baby will be fifth in line to take over the crown, and Prince Harry will be bumped down to sixth place.

So, despite being a no doubt adorable addition to the family, the new tot will not actually affect the succession line that much.

Due to law changes, Princess Charlotte will still be fourth in line to the throne. Photo: Getty Images
Due to law changes, Princess Charlotte will still be fourth in line to the throne. Photo: Getty Images
Kate Middleton is being cared for at home by her mother. Photo: Getty Images
Kate Middleton is being cared for at home by her mother. Photo: Getty Images

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