Queen Elizabeth was third in line to the British throne during her grandfather’s reign, after her uncle Edward and her father.
Because Edward was still young and likely to marry and have children, he would be ahead of Elizabeth in the line of succession, it was not thought that Elizabeth would become queen.
Second in line to the throne after her father when her grandfather died in 1936 and her uncle succeeded Edward VIII. When Edward’s marriage to Wallis Simpson caused a constitutional crisis, he abdicated later that year.
As a result, Elizabeth’s father, George VI, became king and took the regnal name. Having no brothers, Elizabeth became the heir presumptive because she was the only child.
Due to male-preference primogeniture, her parents’ later son would have been the heir apparent and above her in line of succession, if they had one.
What will Happen when the Queen Turns 100?
When the Queen celebrates her 100th birthday, she is expected to enjoy a similar show. Trooping the Colour currently marks the Queen’s birthday every year in June, but the year 2026 will be a momentous occasion because she will be turning the ripe old age of ninety-six.
