The laws of succession for the Netherlands are pretty straightforward, and there are only eight people in the line of succession.
The Netherlands abides by absolute primogeniture, meaning the eldest child, regardless of their gender, will inherit the throne. The Dutch line of succession is small due to the strict rules on who is allowed to succeed the monarch.
The line of succession is dictated by how closely related the person is to the monarch. Only those related to the monarch in the first, second or third degree of consanguinity can inherit the throne. Of those, only the first and second degrees are members of the Royal House, as opposed to the broader Royal Family.
To remain eligible, those in line must get the Dutch Parliament’s approval for their marriage. If they do not, they lose their succession rights for themselves and their children. This occurred with the King’s aunts, Princesses Irene and Christina, his cousins, Princes Pieter-Christiaan and Floris, and his younger brother, Prince Friso.
The current line of succession is:
- The Princess of Orange (Amalia)
- Princess Alexia
- Princess Ariane
- Prince Constantijn
- Countess Eloise
- Count Claus-Casimir
- Countess Leonore
- Princess Margriet
When King Willem-Alexander ascended the throne in 2013, his cousins through Princess Margriet lost their places in the line of succession. Likewise, when the Princess of Orange becomes Queen, Princess Margriet will lose her succession rights, as will Amalia’s cousins.
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