If Prince William had been born female, it would have significant implications for the line of succession and the question of who would be the next king. Currently, the British monarchy operates under a system of male-preference primogeniture, meaning that male heirs take precedence over their female counterparts in the line of succession. However, this system has undergone changes in recent years to promote gender equality, so it's essential to consider the potential outcomes based on the existing rules as well as the possibility of further reform.
Under the traditional rules of male-preference primogeniture, if Prince William had been born female, her position in the line of succession would remain the same. As the eldest child of Prince Charles, William would still be the direct heir to the throne, regardless of gender. In this scenario, Prince Harry's position in the line of succession would also remain unchanged. Being the younger brother, he would follow William, even if William were a female.
However, it's worth noting that changes have been made to the succession rules in recent years. The Succession to the Crown Act 2013 introduced several reforms to ensure gender equality in the line of succession. Prior to this act, male heirs would take precedence over their older sisters, regardless of birth order. The act abolished this principle, allowing for equal rights of succession regardless of gender. As a result, if Prince William had been born female after the implementation of this act, her position in the line of succession would be the same as it is currently as Prince William.
In this scenario, Prince Harry's position would still follow Prince William in the line of succession. However, if Prince William's first child were a son, that son would take precedence over Prince Harry in the line of succession, regardless of Harry's gender. This change ensures that the eldest child, regardless of gender, would have priority in the line of succession.
It's also worth mentioning that the issue of gender and the line of succession has been a topic of ongoing debate and could potentially see further reforms in the future. Some argue for a complete abolition of male-preference primogeniture, advocating for absolute gender equality in the line of succession. If such a reform were implemented, it would significantly alter the potential outcome.
Under a system of absolute gender equality, Prince William's gender would have no impact on the line of succession. The next in line to the throne would be determined solely by birth order, irrespective of gender. In this case, Prince Harry would remain behind Prince William, as the younger sibling, regardless of William's gender.
The question of who would be the next king if Prince William had been born female depends on the specific rules in place at the time of William's birth and any subsequent changes to those rules. If male-preference primogeniture were still in effect, Prince Harry would be next in line to the throne after a female William. However, if absolute gender equality were the rule, then the line of succession would follow birth order, with Harry following William, regardless of William's gender. The monarchy's stance on this issue has evolved over time, reflecting changing societal norms and values, so future reforms may further shape the line of succession based on gender equality.
