Duke of Edinburgh back in hospital

But then, is there not a Princess Michael of Kent...?

Yes, there is now - Prince Michael was a youngster at the time. He was, if I remember correctly, a page at Princess Elizabeth's wedding.

The palace wanted Diana to be called, Princess Charles but fortunately the public were having none of it.

He's out!

Greatnan, I read some years ago that they don't visit often because it causes such problems for the staff and other patients with paparazzi and general disruption.

Being Princess Andrew or Princess Michael is the royal equivalent of being Mrs [husband's surname]. However, I think she would have been Princess Alice before her marriage, but only a Serene, not a Royal Highness. Princess Michael, however, was not Princess Christine before her marriage. It's all completely bonkers and archaic anyway,

He looked happy and relaxed but glad to be going home... now the Queen can relax too .

Saw that too , hope things will go alright now , only thing is he is an old gent and Anno Domini catches up with everyone

If only all minor royals were as sensible as Princess Anne - no titles for her offspring, Peter and Zara Phillips.

Agree Annobel Prinny Anne is deffo Mrs No Nonsense! Knew it would be an easier life too for her kids.. priveledge without so much of the responsibility. Caring mother?

I saw a documentary where it was obvious Princess Anne had never been a 'touchy-feely' mother but her children adored her.

In fact, she was a very proud mum, and gave Zara a kiss when she presented the medals to the Three Day Event team.

Princess Anne doesn't count as a minor royal. She is, after all, the Princess Royal, a title bestowed by her mother ages ago.

Sorry, you're right, absent. I really meant to point out that her children are minor royals. Prince Andrew's daughters use the 'princess' title.

They might not have titles but their position in the line of succession remains the same.

What is the line of succession order after Will and Hal? Hal will get bumped down the list if W&K produce, presumably.

Yes, even if it's a girl!

Bags

At least if Wills and Kate do have a child it will not matter if it is a boy or a girl any longer. At least that is looking very likely.

Quite right too, the Queens have proven to be better monarchs than the Kings.

These damn shifting posts!

Bags I think it goes, Charles, William, Harry, Andrew, Beatrice (is she the older one?), Eugenie, Edward, the Wessex child/children, Princess Anne, Peter Phillips, Zara. If/when the Cambridges procreate, their children will go in the line between William and Harry. At the moment, a Cambridge son, whether first born or not, would take precedence over a daughter as although there has been a lot of talk about changing the law, it hasn't yet been changed. I have no idea whether changing the law of succession so it is applied in order of age regardless of the sex of the children would also affect the existing order i.e. would Princess Anne and her descendants move up the order above Prince Andrew? Come the revolution, things will be a lot more straightforward.

Peter Phillips' two children come above Zara. One is called Savannah. Not sure about the other one.

Oh, I forgot that he had already had offspring – i haven't edited a book about the royal family for years. It would be a very odd set of circumstances if it actually mattered that they were higher up the line of succession than their aunt.

absent, when the law is changed regarding succession, it is said that it will be retrospective, so that Will & Kate's first child will be next in line, whichever sex.

If the law is changed Anagram. All countries of which the Queen is Head of State have to agree and then the wording of the law has to be agreed. William is likely to be a grandfather by the time that's sorted out. I'd still like to know if it's retrospective, would it move Princess Anne and her descendants up the list? Not that it matters – just curious.

Yes - interesting point, absent!