History of Royal Family

The history of the Royal family dates back to the reign of King Edward III, founder of the House of Plantagenet. However, it wasn't until his son Richard II ascended with the title "Prince Richard" that a dynasty was established and an heir could be designated as successor. Over time, this right passed to other male members in line ahead of their female co-heirs in an effort to ensure a continuation. In 1760, Act VI proclaimed which males held precedence over their female counterparts and put them on equal footing with male heirs for inheritance purposes. The next major change to the succession laws was in 1901 by resolution of King Edward VII giving the eldest daughter of the eldest son of a King or Queen precedence over any other member of the Royal family when there were two sisters who were both heirs presumptive. This arrangement continued until the passage of the Act seven years later which placed female heirs ahead of their male counterparts in order of succession without distinction as to whether there are one or two sisters who would have otherwise had equal right.

The Act also made provision for the eventuality that a female heir presumptive should die leaving no eligible daughter, male or female. The Act allowed for a Regency so that one could be designated in this case by the Lord Chancellor. The first Regent was the Duke of Connaught (his sister Princess Louise married Princess Victoria Eugenie of Spain). With passage of the Act of Settlement 1701, succession to the throne passed to a Protestant descendant of James II, who had been ousted during the Glorious Revolution and placed on the throne by his Catholic brother-in-law William III. Since that time no woman has ever been an heir presumptive.

After the King this passage is in the order of succession: Any elder brother, younger brothers, nephews and nieces.

The Act is enforced by the Sovereign's Representative, who is the Lord Chamberlain and Supreme Governor of the Royal Household since 1998. However the enforcement is done by a private individual at the request of a donor; this person's role has been described as making "recommendations and observations" to a Committee of Selection (recently renamed to Appointments) which then makes recommendations and observations to the Sovereign.