If William and Kate were to step back and leave the Royal Family, the line of succession would indeed shift. In such a scenario, the question arises as to who would be next in line for succession: Prince Edward or Prince Andrew?
We need to examine the rules of succession within the British monarchy. The current order of succession is based on the Act of Settlement of 1701, the Succession to the Crown Act of 2013, and subsequent amendments. These laws govern the line of succession, primarily based on hereditary principles and proximity of relationship to the reigning monarch.
At present, Prince Charles is the first in line for succession, followed by his eldest son, Prince William, who is the Duke of Cambridge. As the eldest son of Prince Charles, Prince William's position as second in line has been secure for many years. Should William and his wife, Kate Middleton, decide to "tap out" and leave the Royal Family, the next individual in line for succession would indeed move up.
In this scenario, the next individual in line would be Prince George, the eldest son of William and Kate. Prince George was born on July 22, 2013, and as the firstborn of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, he would take precedence over his uncles, Prince Edward and Prince Andrew.
Prince Edward, the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, holds the title of Earl of Wessex. However, despite his position within the Royal Family, he would not immediately succeed Prince George. The direct line of succession would bypass Prince Edward and instead continue with Prince George's siblings: Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, is the second son of Queen Elizabeth II. However, his position in the line of succession has become a topic of controversy in recent years due to his involvement with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. It's important to note that the controversy surrounding Prince Andrew does not affect the order of succession as per the current laws.
If William and Kate were to step back from the Royal Family, the line of succession would move from Prince George to Princess Charlotte, and then to Prince Louis. Prince Edward and Prince Andrew would not be next in line for succession under this scenario.
It is worth mentioning that the British monarchy has a long history, and the line of succession has evolved over time. In the event of significant changes within the Royal Family, such as members stepping back or abdicating, it is possible for the laws governing succession to be reviewed or amended. However, as of now, the rules in place prioritize the direct descendants of the reigning monarch, with Prince George leading the line should his parents, William and Kate, decide to leave the Royal Family.
