Britain is currently engulfed in a period of national mourning following the heartbreaking announcement on Thursday that Queen Elizabeth II has passed away at the age of 96.

Her reign, which spanned an impressive 70 years, not only established her as the longest-serving monarch in British history but also left an indelible mark on the nation and the royal family.

Among the many legacies she leaves behind, one particularly touching gesture stands out: her commitment to ensuring that her great-granddaughter, Princess Charlotte, would not face the same discriminatory practices that affected her own daughter, Princess Anne.

According to reports from the Daily Express, this was a significant move that altered the line of succession for future generations.

Princess Charlotte, the only daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, is positioned as the middle child between her older brother, Prince George, and younger brother, Prince Louis.

This scenario mirrors the circumstances surrounding Princess Anne’s birth, who, as the Queen’s second child, faced a similar fate due to outdated royal laws that favored sons over daughters.

In the past, when Princess Anne was born, a royal decree relegated her down the line of succession upon the births of her brothers, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.

The archaic rule dictated that male heirs took precedence, leaving Anne in a less favorable position.

However, just before the birth of Prince William and Catherine’s first child, the Queen took decisive action.

In a groundbreaking move, she introduced the Succession to the Crown Act ahead of her coronation, effectively updating these antiquated laws.

This legislation ensured that any child born to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge would have equal rights to the throne, regardless of gender.

Although Prince George retained his position as third, and now second, in line, Charlotte was spared the same fate as Anne, maintaining her place when Louis was born.

Constitutional expert Ian Mack Marthin elaborated on the significance of the 2013 Act, stating that it aimed to modernize several outdated and discriminatory laws associated with the monarchy.

The Act abolished male primogeniture, allowing the first-born child, regardless of gender, to inherit the throne.

It also lifted restrictions on marrying Catholics and repealed the Royal Marriages Act of 1772, making substantial strides toward equality within the royal family.

The Queen’s reforms didn’t stop there.

She also amended a 1917 royal warrant that would have denied Prince William’s children the titles of HRH.

This change mirrored a decision made by her father, King George VI, in 1948, which ensured that his grandchildren could claim royal titles.

Mack Marthin noted that under George V’s 1917 warrant, the children of then-Princess Elizabeth would have been adversely affected until she became Queen.

As a female, she could not pass on HRH titles to her children, a limitation that only applied to male heirs.

When Elizabeth was preparing to give birth, it became clear that her child, despite being second in line to the throne, would be born without royal status.

To rectify this, King George VI issued letters patent, granting royal titles to his grandchildren, including Elizabeth’s future offspring.

When it came time for her own grandchild, Prince George, to be born, Queen Elizabeth was faced with a similar challenge.

Just like her father before her, she issued letters patent to ensure that George would not be born without the royal title he deserved.

Queen Elizabeth II’s efforts to update royal succession laws not only reflect her dedication to her family but also her willingness to adapt to changing societal norms.

Her legacy will undoubtedly shape the monarchy for years to come, ensuring that future generations of royals will benefit from her forward-thinking reforms.

As the nation mourns her passing, it is essential to remember the profound impact she had on the royal family and the legacy she leaves behind.