The European Royals Message Board: Re: Mature Heirs

Sophia of the Palatine, dowager electress of Hanover died age 83 just a month before Queen Anne died. Had she survived a few more weeks she would have been the oldest heiress succeeding.

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Thanks for all of the responses. It seems Franz of Liechtenstein holds the record for the oldest heir to succeed to a reigning European monarchy. I wonder if any older heirs died still as heir.

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George I of Saxony was almost 70 when he succeeded his brother.

Charles X was 67 when he succeeded to Louis XVIII.

Cardinal-King D.Henrique was 66 when he succeeded his grand-nephew King D.Sebastião.

Infante Alfonso Carlos was 82 when he succeeded his nephew Jaime Duke of Madrid.

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Franz I of Liechtenstein was 76 when he succeeded his brother Johann II.

Should Brazil be a monarchy, Prince Bertrand (77) would be the heir to his brother Pr.Luis.

Should Bavaria be a monarchy, Duke Max (81) would be the heir.

Provided that neither of the elder brothers would have abdicated

In all 3 cases, the heir is the sovereign's brother.
Charles and Gustav Adolf are the only heirs succeeding a very aged parent.

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Gustav VI Adolf of Sweden succeeded to the throne of Sweden in 1950 aged 68.
In many Middle Eastern monarchies the succession went not from father to son but to the oldest male in the family. There may be some pretenders who are older than Charles is.
Had Grandduke Jean not abdicated his heir Henri would be getting close to Charles.

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The Prince of Wales turns 70 years old today. Are there any European monarchies that have ever had an heir (apparent or presumptive) who was 70 or older?