Succession to the Aretian throne

First six in line from 1 January 2021
1. HRH The Despoina of Bayazet
2. HRH The Princess Andrea
3. HRH The Princess Constantia
4. HRH The Prince Robert
5. Prince Cyril
6. Prince Manuel

Succession to the Aretian throne utilizes male-preference primogeniture. Additional mechanisms allowing the reigning monarch to appoint his or her heir apparent under traditional Vardanan law. Succession practices were inherited from the Hazaraspid-led monarchy when the House of Byzennos proclaimed kingship and rule from Aretias. As such, succession in Aretias is based upon royal house law originating from the rule of the Manavazean dynasty.

Eligibility

Dynastic law sets few base requirements to become monarch of adhering to Apostolic Christianity, legitimate birth, and consent to marriages. Despite the traditional male-preference inheritance, the monarch may appoint his successor in certain instances, such as a lack of children from his primary marriage. As Vardanan customary law permits a nobleman to have multiple wives, a monarch may appoint a child from a secondary wife as heir apparent if he lacks male issue from his primary wife. This eventuality has yet to occur since the proclamation of the monarchy on Aretias. At the two instances of the ascension of a female sovereign, her husband has become king jure uxoris, however this is largely based in custom and not constitutionality. Per a 2017 declaration from King Basil II, his eldest daughter, Zenobia, Despoina of Bayazet, is heir to the Aretian throne unless the birth of a legitimate son displaces her.

Line of succession

• King Basil III (1933–2000)
  • King Leon I (1959–2016)
    • King Basil IV (b. 1988)
      • (1) Zenobia, Crown Princess of Aretias (b. 2014)
      • (2) Princess Beatrice (b. 2016)
      • (3) Princess Constantia (b. 2017)
    • (4) Prince Robert (b. 1990)
    • (5) Stephania, Duchess of Suedia (b. 1986)
    • (6) Princess Gregoria (b. 1992)
    • (7) Princess Xene (b. 1995)

See also

• Monarchy of Vardana