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List of heirs to the Scottish throne

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This is a list of the individuals who were, at any given time, considered the next in line to inherit the throne of Scotland, should the incumbent monarch die. Those who actually succeeded (at any future time) are shown in bold. Stillborn children and infants surviving less than a month are not included.

It may be noted that although the Crown could pass through the female line (for example to the House of Dunkeld in 1034), in the High Middle Ages it is doubtful whether a queen regnant would have been accepted as ruler.

Significant breaks in the succession, where the designated heir did not in fact succeed (due to usurpation, conquest, revolution, or lack of heirs) are shown as breaks in the table below.

The symbols +1, +2, etc. are to be read "once (twice, etc.) removed in descendancy", i.e., the child or grandchild (etc.) of a cousin of the degree specified. The symbols -1, -2, etc. indicate the converse relationship, i.e., the cousin of a parent or grandparent (etc.).

1124 to 1290

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Heir Status Relationship to Monarch Became heir Reason Ceased to be heir Reason Monarch
Henry, Earl of Huntingdon Heir apparent Son 23 April 1124 Father became king 12 June 1152 Died David I
Malcolm Heir apparent Grandson 12 June 1152 Father died 24 May 1153 Became king
William, Earl of Northumbria Heir presumptive Younger brother 24 May 1153 Brother became king 9 December 1165 Became king Malcolm IV
David, Earl of Huntingdon Heir presumptive Younger brother 9 December 1165 Brother became king 1193 Daughter born to king William I
Margaret Heiress presumptive Eldest daughter 1193 Born 24 August 1198 Brother born
Alexander Heir apparent Son 24 August 1198 Born 4 December 1214 Became king
Margaret, Countess of Kent Heiress presumptive Elder sister 4 December 1214 Brother became king 4 September 1241 Son born to king Alexander II
Alexander Heir apparent Son 4 September 1241 Born 8 July 1249 Became king
Margaret, Countess of Kent Heiress presumptive Aunt 8 July 1249 Nephew became king 25 November 1259 Died Alexander III
Isabella, Countess of Norfolk Heiress presumptive Aunt 25 November 1259 Sister died 28 February 1261 Daughter born to king
Margaret Heiress presumptive Daughter 28 February 1261 Born 21 January 1264 Brother born
Alexander Heir apparent Eldest son 21 January 1264 Born 28 January 1284 Died
Margaret Heiress presumptive Granddaughter 28 January 1284 Uncle died 19 March 1286 Became lady and queen
No recognised heir 1286–1290 Margaret

1292 to 1296

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Heir Status Relationship to Monarch Became heir Reason Ceased to be heir Reason Monarch
Edward Heir apparent Eldest son 17 November 1292 Father became king 10 July 1296 Father abdicated John

1306 to 1371

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Heir Status Relationship to Monarch Became heir
Reason
Ceased to be heir
Reason
Monarch
No recognised heir 1306–1315 Robert I
Edward Bruce, Earl of Carrick Heir presumptive Brother 27 April 1315
Proclaimed heir
14 October 1318
Died
No recognised heir Oct–Dec 1318
Robert Stewart Heir presumptive Grandson 3 December 1318
Proclaimed heir
5 March 1324
Twin sons born to king
David Bruce, Earl of Carrick Heir apparent Son 5 March 1324
Born
7 June 1329
Became king
Robert Stewart, 7th High Steward of Scotland Heir presumptive Half-nephew 7 June 1329
Half-uncle became king
22 February 1371
Became king
David II

1371 to 1707

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Heir Status Relationship to Monarch Became heir
Reason
Ceased to be heir
Reason
Next in succession
Relation to heir
Monarch
No recognised heir Feb–Mar 1371 Robert II
John Stewart, Earl of Carrick Heir apparent Son 27 March 1371
Proclaimed heir
19 April 1390
Became king
None
1371–1373
Robert Stewart, Earl of Fife
1373–1378, Brother
David Stewart, Duke of Rothesay
1378–1390, Son
David Stewart, Duke of Rothesay Heir apparent Son 19 April 1390
Father became king
26 March 1402
Died in captivity
Robert Stewart, Earl of Fife
1390–1394, Uncle
Robert III
James Stewart
1394–1402, Brother
James Stewart, Duke of Rothesay Heir apparent Son 26 March 1402
Brother died
4 April 1406
Became king
Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany
Uncle
Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany Heir presumptive Uncle 4 April 1406
Nephew became king
3 September 1420
Died
Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany
Son
James I
Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany Heir presumptive 1st cousin 3 September 1420
Father died
25 May 1425
Executed
Robert Stewart
1420–1421, Son
Walter Stewart
1421–1425, Son
Alexander Stewart
1425, Son
Walter Stewart, Earl of Atholl Heir presumptive Half-uncle 25 May 1425
Half-nephew executed
16 October 1430
Twin sons born to king
Alan Stewart, Earl of Caithness
Son
Alexander Stewart, Duke of Rothesay Heir apparent Son 16 October 1430
Born
1430
Died
James Stewart
Brother
James Stewart, Duke of Rothesay Heir apparent Son 1430
Brother died
21 February 1437
Father assassinated, became king
Walter Stewart, Earl of Atholl
Granduncle
Walter Stewart, Earl of Atholl Heir presumptive Half-granduncle 21 February 1437
Half-grandnephew became king
26 March 1437
Executed, grandson executed on same day
Robert Stewart, Master of Atholl
Grandson
James II
No recognised heir 1437–1451
James Stewart, Duke of Rothesay Heir apparent Son 10 July 1451
Born
3 August 1460
Became king
None
1451–1454
Alexander Stewart, Duke of Albany
1454–1460, Brother
Alexander Stewart, Duke of Albany Heir presumptive Brother 3 August 1460
Brother became king
17 March 1473
Son born to king
John Stewart, Earl of Mar
Brother
James III
James Stewart, Duke of Rothesay Heir apparent Son 17 March 1473
Born
11 June 1488
Father killed in battle, became king
Alexander Stewart, Duke of Albany
1473–1476, Uncle
James Stewart, Duke of Ross
1476–1488, Brother
James Stewart, Duke of Ross Heir presumptive Brother 11 June 1488
Brother became king
January 1504
Died
John Stewart, Earl of Mar
1488–1503, Brother
James IV
John Stewart, Duke of Albany
1503–1504, 1st cousin
John Stewart, Duke of Albany Heir presumptive 1st cousin January 1504
1st cousin died
21 February 1507
Son born to king
James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran
1st cousin
James Stewart, Duke of Rothesay Heir apparent Son 21 February 1507
Born
27 February 1508
Died
John Stewart, Duke of Albany
1st cousin −1
John Stewart, Duke of Albany Heir presumptive 1st cousin 27 February 1508
1st cousin +1 died
20 October 1509
Son born to king
James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran
1st cousin
Arthur Stewart, Duke of Rothesay Heir apparent Son 20 October 1509
Born
14 July 1510
Died
John Stewart, Duke of Albany
1st cousin −1
John Stewart, Duke of Albany Heir presumptive 1st cousin 14 July 1510
1st cousin +1 died
10 April 1512
Son born to king
James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran
1st cousin
James Stewart, Duke of Rothesay Heir apparent Son 10 April 1512
Born
9 September 1513
Father killed in battle, became king
John Stewart, Duke of Albany
1st cousin −1
John Stewart, Duke of Albany Heir presumptive 1st cousin −1 9 September 1513
1st cousin +1 became king
30 April 1514
Posthumous son born to James IV
James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran
1st cousin
James V
Alexander Stewart, Duke of Ross Heir presumptive Brother 30 April 1514
Born posthumously
18 December 1515
Died
John Stewart, Duke of Albany
1st cousin −1
John Stewart, Duke of Albany Heir presumptive 1st cousin −1 18 December 1515
1st cousin +1 died
2 June 1536
Died
James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran
1515–1529, 1st cousin
James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran
1529–1536, 1st cousin +1
James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran Heir presumptive 2nd cousin 2 June 1536
1st cousin –1 died
22 May 1540
Son born to king
Helen Campbell, Countess of Argyll
1536–1537, Sister
James Hamilton
1537–1540, Son
James Stewart, Duke of Rothesay Heir apparent Son 22 May 1540
Born
21 April 1541
Died
James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran
1540–1541, 2nd cousin −1
Arthur Stewart, Duke of Albany
1541, Brother
James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran
1541, 2nd cousin −1
James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran Heir presumptive 2nd cousin 21 April 1541
2nd cousin +1 died
8 December 1542
Daughter born to king
James Hamilton
Son
Mary Stewart Heiress presumptive Daughter 8 December 1542
Born
14 December 1542
Became queen
James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran
2nd cousin −1
James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran Heir presumptive 2nd cousin −1 14 December 1542
2nd cousin +1 became queen
19 June 1566
Son born to queen
James Hamilton, 3rd Earl of Arran
Son
Mary I
James Stuart, Duke of Rothesay Heir apparent Son 19 June 1566
Born
24 July 1567
Mother abdicated, became king
James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran
2nd cousin −2
James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran Heir presumptive 2nd cousin −2 24 July 1567
2nd cousin +2 became king
22 January 1575
Died
James Hamilton, 3rd Earl of Arran
Son
James VI
James Hamilton, 3rd Earl of Arran Heir presumptive 3rd cousin −1 22 January 1575
Father died
19 February 1594
Son born to king
John Hamilton
Brother
Henry Frederick Stuart, Duke of Rothesay Heir apparent Son 19 February 1594
Born
6 November 1612
Died
James Hamilton, 3rd Earl of Arran
1594–1596, 3rd cousin −2
Elizabeth Stuart
1596–1600, Sister
Charles Stuart, Duke of Albany
1600–1612, Brother
Charles Stuart, Duke of Rothesay Heir apparent Son 6 November 1612
Brother died
27 March 1625
Became king
Elizabeth, Electress Palatine
Sister
Elizabeth, Electress Palatine Heiress presumptive Sister 27 March 1625
Brother became king
13 May 1629
Son born to king
Hereditary Prince Frederick Henry of the Palatinate
1625–1629, Son
Charles I
Prince Charles Louis of the Palatinate
1629, Son
Charles James Stuart, Duke of Rothesay[1] Heir apparent Son 13 May 1629
Born
13 May 1629
Died
Elizabeth, Electress Palatine
Aunt
Elizabeth, Electress Palatine Heiress presumptive Sister 13 May 1629
Nephew died
29 May 1630
Son born to king
Prince Charles Louis of the Palatinate
Son
Charles Stuart, Duke of Rothesay Heir apparent Son 29 May 1630
Born
30 January 1649
Proclaimed king
Elizabeth, Electress Palatine
1630–1631, Aunt
Mary Stuart
1631–1633, Sister
James Stuart
1633–1649, Brother
James Stuart, Duke of Albany Heir presumptive Brother 30 January 1649
Brother proclaimed king
6 February 1685
Became king
Henry Stuart
1649–1660, Brother
Charles II
Mary, Princess Royal and Princess of Orange
1660, Sister
Charles Stuart
1660–1661, Son
William III, Prince of Orange
1661–1662, Nephew
Mary Stuart
1662–1663, Daughter
James Stuart
1663–1667, Son
Mary Stuart
1667, Daughter
Edgar Stuart
1667–1671, Son
Mary, Princess of Orange
1671–1677, Daughter
Charles Stuart
1677, Son
Mary, Princess of Orange
1677–1685, Daughter
Mary, Princess of Orange Heiress presumptive Daughter 6 February 1685
Father became king
10 June 1688
Son born to king
Princess Anne of Denmark
Sister
James VII
James Stuart, Duke of Rothesay Heir apparent Son 10 June 1688
Born
11 May 1689
Father deposed, excluded from succeeding
Mary, Princess of Orange
Sister
William II Mutual heirs[2] Husband 13 February 1689
Became joint monarchs
28 December 1694
Became sole monarch
Princess Anne of Denmark
Sister(-in-law)
Mary II
Mary II Wife 28 December 1694
Died
William III
Princess Anne of Denmark Heiress presumptive Sister-in-law /
1st cousin
28 December 1694
Sister died
8 March 1702
Became queen
Prince William of Denmark
1694–1700, Son
None
1700–1702
No recognised heir 1702–1707[3] Anne

Jacobite succession, 1689–1807

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The following are the heirs of the Jacobite pretenders to the throne to the death of the last Stuart pretender. For other persons in this lineage, see Jacobite succession.

Heir Status Relationship to Pretender Became heir
Reason
Ceased to be heir
Reason
Next in succession
Relation to heir
Pretender
James Stuart, Prince of Wales Heir apparent Son 13 February 1689
Father deposed
16 September 1701
Became pretender
Mary, Princess of Orange
1689–1694, Sister
James VII
Princess Anne of Denmark
1694–1701, Sister
Princess Anne of Denmark Heiress presumptive Sister 16 September 1701
Brother became pretender
1 August 1714
Died
Louisa Maria Stuart, Princess Royal
1701–1712, Sister
James VIII
"The Old Pretender"
Anne Marie, Queen of Scilly
1712–1714, 1st cousin
Anne Marie, Queen of Sardinia Heiress presumptive 1st cousin 1 August 1714
1st cousin died
31 December 1720
Son born to pretender
Victor Amadeus, Prince of Piedmont
1714–1715, Son
Charles Emmanuel, Prince of Piedmont
1715–1720, Son
Charles Stuart, Prince of Wales Heir apparent Son 31 December 1720
Born
1 January 1766
Became pretender
Anne Marie, Queen of Sardinia
1720–1725, 1st cousin −1
Henry Stuart, Duke of York
1725–1766, Brother
Henry Stuart, Duke of York Heir presumptive Brother 1 January 1766
Brother became pretender
31 January 1788
Became pretender
King Charles Emmanuel III of Sardinia
1766–1773, 2nd cousin
Charles III
"The Young Pretender"
King Victor Amadeus III of Sardinia
1773–1788, 2nd cousin +1
King Victor Amadeus III of Sardinia Heir presumptive 2nd cousin +1 31 January 1788
2nd cousin –1 became pretender
14 October 1796
Died
Charles Emmanuel, Prince of Piedmont
Son
Henry I
"Cardinal York"
King Charles Emmanuel IV of Sardinia Heir presumptive 2nd cousin +2 14 October 1796
Father died
13 July 1807
Last Stuart pretender died
Prince Victor Emmanuel of Savoy
Brother

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Cokayne, Gibbs & Doubleday 1913, p. 446.
  2. ^ Claim of Right 1689
  3. ^ Act of Security 1704