Elizabeth II's children: names and birth order
Queen Elizabeth II had four children. In birth order they are: Charles, Prince of Wales (son), born 1948; Anne, Princess Royal (daughter), born 1950; Andrew, Duke of York (son), born 1960; and Edward, Earl of Wessex (son), born 1964. As the only daughters, Anne is Elizabeth's only biological daughter who is a woman and the only girl among her four children. As a hereditary detail, Anne is the only one of Elizabeth's children whose children—Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall—are not in the line of succession to the throne due to their parents' timing relative to the 2013 Succession changes not applying retroactively.
Daughters of Elizabeth II: profile breakdown
Anne, Princess Royal
Anne, Princess Royal, born 15 August 1950, at Clarence House, London, is Queen Elizabeth II's only daughter. She married Captain Mark Phillips on 14 November 1973; the couple divorced in 1992. She then married Sir Timothy Laurence on 12 December 1992. Anne is known for extensive royal duties, equestrian sport, and charitable work, holding multiple royal patronages. She is frequently visible in public engagements across the United Kingdom and overseas, representing the Crown.
Comparison of Elizabeth II's children at a glance
| Name | Born | Gender | Line of succession position at birth | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles, Prince of Wales | 14 November 1948 | Male | 1 | Eldest; became heir apparent |
| Anne, Princess Royal | 15 August 1950 | Female | 3 | Only daughter; elder two are brothers |
| Andrew, Duke of York | 19 February 1960 | Male | 4 | Second son; remains sixth in line |
| Edward, Earl of Wessex | 10 March 1964 | Male | 5 | Youngest; represented by courtesy as earl |
Royal family roles and public presence
As the sole daughter, Anne holds a distinctive role and undertakes a heavy schedule of official engagements. She does not hold a title in her own right beyond Princess Royal, a title held by her husband's dukedom via marriage conventions. Her children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, are not in the line of succession, which reflects rules in force at their births. This distinguishes them from the children of Anne's brothers, who remain eligible under succession rules applicable when they were born.
Common questions and clarifications
- How many daughters did Queen Elizabeth II have? One: Anne, Princess Royal.
- Does Princess Anne have any sisters? No. Her siblings are all brothers.
- Are Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall in the line of succession? No. They are not in the succession due to the timing of their parents' marriage relative to 2013 reforms.
- Who is next after Anne in the line of succession among Elizabeth's children? Andrew, Duke of York, followed by Edward, Earl of Wessex.
Lineage and succession context
Understanding Elizabeth's daughters requires noting the succession rules at the time of each child's birth. The 2013 Succession to the Crown Act changed male-preference primogeniture to absolute primogeniture for those born after 28 October 2013, but it did not alter the positions of those born earlier. As a result, Anne remains the only daughter of Elizabeth II, and her position in the family reflects both birth order and the historic rules that applied in 1950.
Modern relevance and legacy
Anne's role continues to be significant within the family and in public service. Her consistent presence at national and international events, combined with her focus on charity and sport, maintains a durable public profile. While her brothers' circumstances vary, Anne remains the central link among Elizabeth's children in terms of both family relationships and visible royal duty.
tags: royal-family, queen-elizabeth-ii, princess-anne, line-of-succession