Sad news has hit the royal family after King Charles III was diagnosed with a form of cancer and was advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties.

Despite Buckingham Palace's statement that the King plans to return to "full public duty as soon as possible," the news about his health left many speculating about the future of the royal family.

If ever King Charles abdicates, here are the members of the royal family who will be next in line to the throne.

1. Prince William, The Prince of Wales

Prince William
Prince William Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Prince William, the elder son of His Majesty The King and Diana, Princess of Wales, is the first in the line to King Charles' throne.

The Prince of Wales is married to The Princess of Wales, Catherine Elizabeth Middleton, with whom he has three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

2. Prince George of Wales

Prince George
Prince George RICHARD POHLE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

As the eldest son of Prince William and Kate Middleton, he is second in line to the British throne next to his father.

Prince George is 10 years old.

3. Princess Charlotte of Wales

Princess Charlotte
REUTERS/Phil Noble

As the second child of The Prince and Princess of Wales, 8-year-old Princess Charlotte is third in line to the throne next to her brother, Prince George.

4. Prince Louis of Wales

Prince Louis of Wales
Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis (C), accompanied by their parents the Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, arrive for a settling in afternoon at Lambrook School, near Ascot on September 7, 2022 in Bracknell, England. Jonathan Brady - Pool/Getty Images

He may be just 5 years old, but the youngest child of Prince William and Kate Middleton is the fourth in line to the throne, following his older brother and sister.

Prince Louis of Wales was born on April 23, 2018 in Paddington, London.

5. The Duke of Sussex

Prince Harry
Prince Harry arrives for the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2021 in Windsor, England. Victoria Jones - WPA Pool/Getty Images

As the youngest son of King Charles and Princess Diana, Prince Harry is the fifth in line of succession to the British throne.

The Duke of Sussex is married to The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, with whom he has two children: Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

6. Prince Archie of Sussex

Prince Archie
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and their baby son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor meet Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his daughter Thandeka Tutu-Gxashe at the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation during their royal tour of South Africa on September 25, 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa. Toby Melville - Pool/Getty Images

As the first child of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, 4-year-old Prince Archie is the sixth in line to the British throne.

He is the eighth great-grandchild of the late Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

7. Princess Lilibet of Sussex

The youngest child of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may have just turned two last June 2023 but she's already in line to the British throne. It may be unlikely for her to take on the sovereign crown though, given her cousins in succession.

8. Prince Andrew, The Duke of York

Prince Andrew
Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York leaves after attending for the Royal Family's traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in eastern England, on December 25, 2023. ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images

Despite being the third child and second son of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Prince Andrew is only eighth in line to the throne. The 63-year-old royal follows after the sons and grandsons of his older brother, King Charles III.

9. Princess Beatrice, Mrs. Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi

Princess Beatrice
Princess Beatrice of York attends the Art of Wishes Gala 2023 at Raffles on October 09, 2023 in London, England. Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images

Princess Beatrice is the eldest daughter of The Duke and Duchess of York. Born as fifth in line of succession to the British throne, she is now ninth.

The royal is currently 35 years old.

10. Miss Sienna Mapelli Mozzi

Miss Sienna Mapelli Mozzi is Princess Beatrice and property developer Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi's daughter.

At age 2, she is currently tenth in line to the throne.

Tags
Royal family, King Charles III, Prince William