The long (and often inglorious) history of the Royal 'spare'

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

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The Duke of Windsor (right) with his brother, the future King George VI in 1900

William II, Richard I, Richard II and Charles I were all spares, taking the crown after battle, family feuding or sickness. Henry VIII was perhaps the most famous spare in history, a man whose swagger and boisterousness – the qualities of the second son – shaped a kingship which saw the founding of the Church of England and the establishment of England as a political force. His daughter Elizabeth I was not his heir apparent – she was also a female spare – yet her reign was hailed as a Golden Age for her country.

Harry and now the new Cambridge Princess have no such destinies to meet.

Barring disaster, neither will wear the crown.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3052213/Royal-baby-girl-doting-sister-tragedy-making.html#ixzz3Z6j8OrDT