If the Queen abdicates today?

Question

Although this is VERY HIGHLY unlikely, please answer my question and please do not answer "The Queen won't abdicate today." PLEASE just answer my question.

If the Queen abdicates today, Prince Charles abdicates tomorrow, William becomes King, and the royal baby isn't born yet, who will be the Duke of Cornwall? Is it Prince Harry, the royal baby who is not yet born, or none?

Answer 1

No one. We don't know the gender of the baby. If female, she will not be the Duke of Cornwall. that title can only belong to the eldest son of the monarch who is also the Heir Apparent. Prince Harry would not be Duke of Cornwall under any circumstances.

Answer 2

You seem to assume that there must be always a Duke of Cornwall, which is not true. If there is not an eldest son of the monarch around then simple there won;t be any Duke of Cornwall.



In order to answer exactly:



The Queen abdicates today: Prince Charles becomes King and Prince William automatically becomes Duke of Cornwall.



Prince Charles abdicates tomorrow: Prince William becomes King and (unless if his wife had already given birth to a son) the Duchy of Cornwall merges to the Crown. Until the baby is born, Prince Harry is the heir presumptive to the throne (but has not any claim either to the Duchy of Cornwall or the Principality of Wales).

Answer 3

Nobody, as the Duke of Cornwall can only ever be the eldest son of the monarch who is also the heir apparent. If the baby turns out to be a boy, it immediately becomes Duke of Cornwall. If it is a girl, there will continue to be no Duke of Cornwall until such time as there is a monarch whose first-born child is a boy. This was the case in George VI's reign, as he had no sons..



The obvious next question is what happens to the Duchy of Cornwall income when there is no Duke? Answer: it goes to the Crown. The Sovereign Grant Act 2011 provides that when there is an heiress apparent to the throne, they will get the money anyway even though they aren't the Duke.

Answer 4

There would be no Duke of Cornwall unless Catherine gave birth to a boy, who would automatically become Duke of Cornwall.



It isn't a typical dukedom in the sense that it passes to the closest male relative - only the eldest son of the monarch can hold the title. There doesn't have to be a Duke of Cornwall - George VI only had two daughters so the title fell into abeyance.

Answer 5

I'd suggest Charles will remain Duke of Cornwall until his death. Regardless of abdicating.

Answer 6

The Duke of Cornwall is the heir APPARENT and BOY so if William is King and yet childless so Prince Henry would be heir presumptive but not apparent.

Answer 7

If the queen abidcates. Charles will be king.

He is not giving up the crown to prince will

Answer 8

is this a trick question?