What the new royal baby means for the line of…

What the new royal baby means for the line of succession to the throne

Princess Eugenie has given birth to a son and named her baby boy Ernest, meaning a shake-up in the line of succession to the throne. The late Queen’s granddaughter, 33, and husband Jack Brooksbank, 37, welcomed their second child, who weighed 7lb 1oz, nearly a week ago on May 30.

Eugenie posted on her Instagram account: “Jack and I wanted to share the news that we had our little boy, Ernest George Ronnie Brooksbank on 30th May 2023 at 8.49 weighing 7.1lbs. He is named after his great great great Grandfather George, his Grandpa George and my Grandpa Ronald.

“Augie is loving being a big brother already.”

Ernest’s great-great-great grandfather was King George V who also had Ernest as a middle name – with his full name being George Frederick Ernest Albert. The baby’s middle name is also a tribute to Mr Brooksbank’s father George who died in 2021.

Ronnie is a nod to Sarah, Duchess of York’s father, the former royal polo manager Major Ronald Ferguson who died in 2003 and who was dubbed “the galloping major” following tabloid exposes of his private life – and a title he used for his autobiography.

The newest member of the royal family, whose title is Master Brooksbank, is 13th in line to the throne, moving the Duke of Edinburgh down to 14th place.

The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward's two children James and Lady Louise also move one place down the line of succession.

Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, is pushed down to 17th in line to the throne, while her daughter Zara Tindall has dropped out of the top 20 and is now 21st in line.

The new line of succession:

1. The Prince of Wales

2. Prince George of Wales

3. Princess Charlotte of Wales

4. Prince Louis of Wales

5. The Duke of Sussex

6. Prince Archie of Sussex

7. Princess Lilibet of Sussex

8. The Duke of York

9. Princess Beatrice, Mrs. Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi

10. Miss Sienna Mapelli Mozzi

11. Princess Eugenie, Mrs. Jack Brooksbank