Can She Get the Title?

Pelisses, Spencers, and Redingotes, O... Titles from my Favorite Regency Write...

Can She Get the Title?

Vanessa here,

Before I start, I’d like to break some news. The Duchess of Cambridge is with babe again!!! The future king will now have a sibling.

Order Fire Sword and Sea Before it's banned.

The Duchess of Cambridge
Source: The Daily Mail

With the Succession Act passed in 2011 and all the hold outs territories of St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Canada changing their laws to allow a female to become ruler regardless of a subsequent male sibling, a baby George had been Georgette, she would someday be Queen of England. For now this new baby male or female will fourth in line to the throne.

NEW LINE OF SUCCESSION Prince Charles Prince William Prince George (William and Catherine’s son)
New Baby Prince Harry Prince Andrew Princess Beatrice Princess Eugenie Prince Edward Viscount Severn The Lady Louise Windsor Princess Anne Peter Phillips Savannah Phillips Ilsa Phillips Zara Phillips

Yeah progress. However, back in the Regency we so love, females taking their father’s position was rare, even more so for the lower titles.

Take a look at this list:

Upon the death of the title holder, the title passes in this order:

Eldest sonEldest son’s eldest sonEldest son’s eldest son’s eldest son (until there are none left)Second sonSecond son’s eldest son (until this is exhausted)Any remaining son in order of birthEldest brother of the title holderEldest brother’s eldest son (or any other son until this is exhausted)Second eldest brother (and so on until this is exhausted)Eldest surviving male descended from the original title holder

Notice the lack of females. Titles were typically passed to males, not females. However, there have been rare exceptions. The 2nd Duchess of Marlborough, Henrietta Churchill is one. The 1st Duke of Marlborough was given special permission in 1706 to pass his title to his daughter. He was a war hero with no living sons. She became the Duchess of Marlborough in 1722.

Portrait of Henrietta Godolphin, 2nd Duchess of Marlborough
Source: Wiki Commons

So when ever you hear never, always realize that there may be some obscure exception lurking in the annals of history. In my latest release coming September 29th, Swept Away, Charlotte Downing is given her father’s title in this retelling of Cinderella with a Twist.