Line of Succession to British Throne

The line of succession to the British throne is governed by The Act of Settlement (1701) and stated that only Protestant heirs of Princess Sophia, granddaughter of James I, may succeed to the British throne. Neither Roman Catholics, nor those who marry a Roman Catholic, nor those born out of wedlock, may remain in the line of succession. Under common law, the crown was passed on by male primogeniture under which younger sons succeed before their elder sisters.