Despite stepping down from his royal duties in 2020 and moving to North America with wife Meghan Markle, Prince Harry still remains in the line of succession to take over the British throne. Those that have a place in the list are blood relatives of Queen Elizabeth II.
Upon on Her Majesty's death on September 8 2022, Prince Charles inherited the throne which means the order has shifted - as it also does when royal siblings have children. As it stands, Harry, the Duke of Sussex, is fifth in line which is preceded by Prince William and his three children, George, Charlotte and Louis.
It is unlikely that Harry will take to the throne as his father would have to die or abdicate the throne with William and his three children also predeceasing him. In the past however, heirs would travel separately to avoid disaster so this is still a legitimate concern for the Cambridge family who have been known to take tours and holidays together.
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The line of succession has proved unpredictable as when Queen Elizabeth was born she was in Harry's original position of third. If her uncle, Edward VIII, hadn't abdicated the throne in 1936 and then got married and had children, this would have pushed her further down the line.
The sudden death of her father, George VI, in 1952 meant Elizabeth became queen at the young age of 25.
Though the concept of divine right has faded in modern times, birthright still remains paramount to the royal family. Despite the fact that Harry has given up the HRH (His Royal Highness) title he still retains the right to the throne as he was born into the family. This is why Meghan can only become Queen Consort if Harry becomes King because she is not of royal blood.
The Queen allowed the couple to keep their titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex but Harry was stripped of his his honorary military titles and royal patronage appointments. As it stands, Harry and Meghan have stated that they will not be returning as working members of the Royal family despite being given the provision of an annual review in the hope that they would change their minds.
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