Royal shock: The one rule that could see William and George lose claim to throne

A SHOCKING rule in the royal line of succession could see royal family members including Prince William and Prince George lose their claim to the British throne. Here’s how.

Prince William is second in line to the throne, being the son of Prince Charles and grandson of the current monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. Third in line is the Duke of Cambridge’s firstborn son Prince George, aged just six. That means at some point, both of them are expected to ascend to the throne.

However, there is one rule laid out in the laws of succession to the British throne that could see William and George - and other royals - lose their claim to it.



Under the two acts, it states that a “Roman Catholic is specifically excluded from succession to the throne”.

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Royal shock

Royal shock: A rule could see Prince George and Prince William lose their claim to the throne (Image: GETTY)

This is because the royals are members of the Church of England, which is a Protestant Anglican church.

The Royal Family has been a part of this religion since the 16th century.

That means if either Prince William or Prince George would turn their back on this exact christian belief, they would lose their claim to the throne.

The controversial rule is laid out on the Royal Family’s website and reads: “The Act laid down that only Protestant descendants of Princess Sophia - the Electress of Hanover and granddaughter of James I - are eligible to succeed. Subsequent Acts have confirmed this.

Royal shock

Royal shock: Prince William and George are both expected to become king one day (Image: GETTY)

Royal shock

The British Royal Family's line of succession (Image: EXPRESS/GETTY)


“A Roman Catholic is specifically excluded from succession to the throne.


“The Sovereign must also promise to uphold the Protestant succession.”

However, members of the Royal Family would be allowed to marry Roman Catholics without being disqualified.

The Succession of the Crown Act came into force in 2013 and ended the generations-old disqualification to the throne. 

The law reads: “The Act ended the provisions by which those who marry Roman Catholics are disqualified from the line of succession.”

Speaking to, royal historian Richard Fitzwilliams explained: “This meant that though a monarch could marry a Catholic, as he or she was Supreme Governor of the Church in England they must remain in Communion with the Church of England.

“Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis could marry a Catholic but their children would have to be brought up in the Church of England if they were to retain their place in the line of succession.”

These changes came into force in all sixteen Realms in March 2015.

Royal shock

Members of the Royal Family from 1819 to 2019 (Image: EXPRESS/GETTY)

The line of succession

  • 1. Charles, Prince of Wales
  • 2. William, Duke of Cambridge
  • 3. Prince George of Cambridge
  • 4. Princess Charlotte of Cambridge
  • 5. Prince Louis of Cambridge
  • 6. Harry, Duke of Sussex
  • 7. Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor
  • 8. The Duke of York
  • 9. Princess Beatrice of York
  • 10. Princess Eugenie of York