Princess Anne should be able to take advantage of the Succession to the Crown Act approved in Parliament in 2013, according to royal author Robert Jobson. The expert discussed the possible impact on the country of having two members of the Royal Family who are currently not working for the Crown still positioned prominently in the line of succession – Prince Harry and Prince Andrew.

He wrote on Twitter: “If anything happens to Charles and William would Harry or Andrew be asked to be Regent to a young George?

“Surely only those who are working royals should be in the line of succession.”

Mr Jobson then added the Princess Royal, who is currently 15th in the line of succession to the British throne but is already set to be bumped off that position later this year, with Meghan and Harry’s second child, should be positioned higher up in the line due to her full-time commitment to the Queen and the country.

He said: “Anne should be higher up the chain.” 

In a separate tweet, Mr Jobson added the latest changes to the succession laws should be taken into account when it comes to Princess Anne, saying: “I really believe The Princess Royal should be elevated in the line of succession given the changes primogeniture.

“If anything happened to Charles or William I am not sure the people would accept part-time uncle Harry or great uncle Andrew as Regent to George.”

ITV’s royal editor Chris Ship also spoke in favour of pushing up the line Princess Anne by applying retrospectively the Succession to the Crown Act 2013.

He wrote on Twitter: “Yes. Princess Anne should be retrospectively reinstated above her younger brothers.” 

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Prince Harry was born third-in-line to the throne, being the second male heir of the Prince of Wales.

After Prince William and Kate had their three children, Harry moved down to the sixth position, where he remains despite having officially stepped down as senior royal almost one year ago.

Prince Andrew, who is the Queen and Prince Philip’s third child, is currently eighth-in-line to the throne despite being younger than Princess Anne.

The Duke of York announced he would temporarily step back from public duties in November 2019, after his car crash interview with Emily Maitlis focused on his association with Jeffrey Epstein.

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Despite claims in 2020 he wanted to resume his royal work, Prince Andrew has not taken part in any official ceremony or royal duty since releasing his statement two years ago.

Prince Andrew is positioned higher than Anne in the line to the throne because, at the time of his birth, the succession law in place favoured male children over female ones, which meant daughters of the sovereign would always follow their brothers in the succession line no matter their age.

The male-preference primogeniture was replaced with absolute primogeniture by the Act of Parliament approved in 2013, in the run-up to the birth of Prince George.

This act, however, is only applicable to those in the line of succession born after October 28 2011. 

Both Princess Anne and Prince Andrew – as well as Prince Edward, who is currently 12th-in-line – will be knocked down one position in the succession line when Meghan gave birth to her second child later this year.

Prince Harry and Meghan announced they are expecting a second child on Valentine’s Day.

A spokesperson for the Sussexes released a brief statement, saying: “We can confirm that Archie is going to be a big brother.

“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to be expecting their second child.” 

This announcement was accompanied by a black and white picture taken remotely by photographer Misan Harriman, a long-time friend of the Duchess.

In the snap, Harry and Meghan lay down in their garden under a tree while looking at each other smiling.

Following the pregnancy announcement, Mr Harriman wrote on Twitter: “Meg, I was there at your wedding to witness this love story begin, and my friend, I am honoured to capture it grow.

“Congratulations to The Duke and Duchess of Sussex on this joyous news!”