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First in line: the heirs to Europe’s thrones as 2022 gets under way

As a new year gets underway, the ruling houses of Europe are looking to the future and that future is increasingly female. The next generation of rulers on the continent is dominated by women with the princesses who will one day be queens taking on increasingly high profile roles. By the end of this decade, much may have changed in Europe’s royal families. Here are the heirs who stand in line to help guide their dynasties into the future.

The United Kingdom: the Prince of Wales

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jonathan Nelson/Released

Charles Philip Arthur George, Prince of Wales is about to mark 70 years as heir to the British throne. Born on November 14th 1948 at Buckingham Palace in London, he became heir on February 6th 1952 on the accession of his mother as Elizabeth II. He is the longest serving heir in British history.

Denmark: Crown Prince Frederik

By Mogens Engelund – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38905130

Frederik Andre Henrik Christian will mark a half century of being heir this January. He became Crown Prince of Denmark on January 14th 1972 at the age of three when his mother ascended the throne as Queen Margrethe II. He was born on May 26th 1968 at Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen.

Sweden: Crown Princess Victoria

The Crown Princess in the living room of Haga Palace. Photo: Erika Gerdemark/Kungahuset.se

Victoria Ingrid Alice Desiree made history on January 1st 1980 when she replaced her younger brother as heir to the throne of Sweden. Born on July 14th 1977 at the Karolinska Hospital in Stockholm as the first child of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, she had no accession rights until a change in law put her in line to be queen. Victoria, who will celebrate her 45th birthday this year, has now been Sweden’s heir for forty two years.

Liechtenstein: Prince Alois, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein

By Bundesministerium für Europa, Integration und Äußeres – Außenministerin Karin Kneissl in Liechtenstein, CC BY 2.0

Alois Philipp Maria, born on June 11th 1968, has been first in line to his country’s throne since November 13th 1989 when his father, Hans-Adam, succeeded as Prince of Liechtenstein. Alois, who will be 54 this year, has actually been regent of his country since 2004 although Prince Hans-Adam remains Head of State.

Norway: Crown Prince Haakon

Photo: Jørgen Gomnæs / The Royal Court

Haakon Magnus became Crown Prince of Norway on January 17th 1991 when his father ascended his country’s throne as King Harald V. Haakon was born on July 20th 1973 at the National Hospital in Oslo. He has been heir for 31 years.

Luxembourg: Prince Guillaume, Hereditary Grand Duke

Guillaume Jean Joseph Marie was born on November 11th 1981 and moved to first in line for his country’s throne in 2000 when his father, Henri, became Grand Duke of Luxembourg. Guillaume and his wife, Stephanie, now have a son, Charles, who will turn two in 2022.

The Netherlands: Princess Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange

© RVD – HM the King

Catharina-Amalia Beatrix Carmen Victoria has just marked her 18th birthday, an important milestone in her royal life and time as heir to the throne. She was born on December 7th 2003 in The Hague and became heir on April 30th 2013 when her father ascended the throne as King Willem-Alexander. Since then, she has held the traditional title of Princess of Orange.

Belgium: Princess Elisabeth, Duchess of Brabant

© Royal Palace, Brussels/Koninklijk Paleis, Brussel/Palais Royal, Bruxelles/Königlicher Palast, Brüssel Photographer: Michel Gronemberger

Elisabeth Therese Marie Helene was born on October 25th 2001 in Brussels and will be her country’s first queen regnant when she eventually succeeds to the throne. She has been heiress since July 21st 2013 when her father became King Philippe of the Belgians. She has already completed military training and is now studying at Oxford.

Spain: Princess Leonor, Princess of Asturias

Leonor de Todos los Santos was born on October 31st 2005 in Madrid and became heir to the Spanish throne on the accession of her father as King Felipe VI on June 19th 2014. Leonor, who holds the traditional title of Princess of Asturias, is in a unique position among Europe’s female heirs as Spanish laws mean that she could still be bumped down the succession by the arrival of a brother.

Monaco: Hereditary Prince Jacques, Marquis of Baux

Monaco Info/Fair Use

Jacques Honore Rainier was born as heir to Monaco’s throne on December 10th 2014. His father, Prince Albert II, had ruled the country for nine years before the birth of his only legitimate son. Jacques arrived two minutes after his twin sister, Princess Gabriella, who he immediately supplanted as first in line. In 2022, Jacques will mark 8 years as his country’s heir on the same day that he celebrates turning eight.

About author

Lydia Starbuck is Jubilee and Associate Editor at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.