ENGLAND, UK — For centuries, the British Royal Family has been in the spotlight with people enamored by their uniquely lavish lifestyle, weddings, charity work and children.
But how is the family structured and who is next in line to take over the throne after Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II who, at 95 years old, has lived and ruled longer than any monarch in British history?
Well, it's a bit complex.
The basis for succession was determined in the "constitutional developments" of the 17th century which then led to the 1689 Bill of Rights and the 1701 Act of Settlement.
It was also established, thanks to James II fleeing the country, that Parliament plays a key role in regulating succession to the throne and that misgovernment can lead one to be "deprived" of their title.
Then there's the matter of the Act outlining that "only Protestant descendants of Princess Sophia - the Electress of Hanover and granddaughter of James I - are eligible to succeed," according to the Royal Family's website.
It wouldn't be until 2013, when the Succession to the Crown Act came to be, that the outdated, male-centered practice of a younger son displacing an older daughter from the line of succession was no more. But the new Act only applies to those born after Oct. 28, 2011.
The 2013 Act also ended the provision that disqualified those who married Roman Catholics from the line of succession.
So, with all of that to consider. Here is the current line of succession, per the Royal Family website:
SOVEREIGN
1. The Prince of Wales
2. The Duke of Cambridge
3. Prince George of Cambridge
4. Princess Charlotte of Cambridge
5. Prince Louis of Cambridge
6. The Duke of Sussex
7. Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor
8. Miss Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor
9. The Duke of York
10. Princess Beatrice, Mrs. Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi
11. Miss Sienna Mapelli Mozzi
12. Princess Eugenie, Mrs. Jack Brooksbank
13. Master August Brooksbank
14. The Earl of Wessex
15. Viscount Severn
16. The Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor
17. The Princess Royal
18. Mr. Peter Phillips
19. Miss Savannah Phillips
20. Miss Isla Phillips
21. Mrs. Michael Tindall
22. Miss Mia Tindall
23. Miss Lena Tindall
24. Master Lucas Tindall
You can learn more about the British Royal Family's duties on their official website.