Does the 1917 letters patent need updating (Not Harry related)

[LadyOfACertainAge]

As we’ve now updated the order of succession to remove male preference does it makes sense that only the grandchildren of the monarch through the male line are princes/princesses?

Surely it should be all grandchildren or even even just the children of the eldest child? Else we could be in a position where Charlotte’s children are not automatically entitled but Louis’ children are.

It different to Princess Anne as Peter was behind his three uncles when born and likely to keep dropping back as at least one of them would have children. If Charlotte has children before George they would be 3rd in line.

When rhe current Duke of Gloucester became the DoG, he was one of the most senior ADULT royals. Andrew and Edward were children, as were Princess Margaret's children. So it was Charles and Anne, then Princess Margaret, then him.

So while he is a very minor royal now, he wasn't when he started being a "Working Royal".

If Queen Elizabeths uncle hadn't abdicated, she would have just be a minor royal... like when she was born...

If the Queen's uncle hadn't abdicated, she would probably still have been Queen because he had no children.

He wouldn't have abdicated if he had not been set on a marriage that was then considered unacceptable.

If he'd married someone else, there may well have been children

I don't think the Duke of Gloucester is viewed as a "hanger on" by anyone who knows much about him. He was a qualified professional architect who was making his own way in the world, married to a commoner, when the unexpected death of his older brother drastically altered his path in life. He and his wife have worked faithfully and with little fanfare on behalf of the monarchy for many decades, and in their late 70s, still do.

Also fun fact, for what it's worth: through his mother, he is a direct descendant of Charles II.

I suspect in few years when everything settles that they will reform the letters patent for future descendants.

So I can see George children getting titles and down first born line but not Charlotte's and Louie's but it does depend on how serious they are at slimming down.

And they will also likely follow KC's example with Edward and Edinburgh and make royal dukedoms lifetime peerages. That would avoid the issue with the Kent and Gloucester dukedoms passing down to non-royals after a couple of generations.

@CarolinaInTheMorning I agree now they have the precedent that seems very likely.