Succession to the Velkanian throne

**Succession to the Velkanian throne** is determined by both descent and legitimacy. By law, the Crown is inherited by a sovereign's children or by a childless sovereign's nearest collateral line. Laws restrict succession to the throne to descendants of Bjárni I.

Ragnhildur IV is the sovereign, and her heir apparent is her eldest daughter Kerstín, Crown Princess of the Velkanian Isles. Next-in-line after her is Princess Ísabella, the Queen's second daughter, and after her is Princess Daníela, the Queen's youngest daughter. Fourth and fifth-in-line are the Queen's younger sister Princess Úlfhildur and Princess Úlfhildur's eldest child Princess Freyjdís, respectively.

Any changes to the line of succession must be passed by the Stádlink.

## Current line of succession

The official line of succession is continuously updated and published by House of Oskársdætr, the ruling royal house of the Velkanian Isles. In total, it is estimated that as much as one-fifth of the population of the Velkanian Isles may be distantly in the line of succession. The list below includes only descendants of Bjárni II.

* *Bjárni II (1870–1967)*
	+ *Ragnhildur III (1910–1999)*
		- *Hrafnhildur III* (born 1938)
			* **Ragnhildur IV** (born 1968)
				+ **(1)** Kerstín, Crown Princess of the Velkanian Isles (born 2000)
				+ **(2)** Princess Ísabella (born 2001)
				+ **(3)** Princess Daníela (born 2003)
			* **(4)** Princess Úlfhildur (born 1972)
				+ **(5)** Princess Freyjdís (born 2003)
				+ **(6)** Prince Halldór (born 2005)
				+ **(7)** Prince Bjólfur (born 2007)
				+ **(8)** Princess Annalísa (born 2008)
	+ *Princess Dóróthea (1912–1965)*
	+ *Princess Lýdía (1915–2005)*
		- **(9)** Prince Eyríkur (born 1943)
			* **(10)** Jón Jómar Eyríkursson (born 1972)
				+ **(11)** Stefán Eyríkur Jónsson (born 2000)
				+ **(12)** Gréta Sólveig Jónsdætr (born 2003)
			* **(13)** Dagthór Knútur Eyríkursson (born 1975)
				+ **(14)** Ingifinna Dagthórsdætr (born 2010)
				+ **(15)** Úlla Dagthórsdætr (born 2013)
				+ **(16)** Stefanía Dagthórsdætr (born 2017)
		- **(17)** Princess Lífdís (born 1945)
			* **(18)** Bjárni Viktorsson (born 1980)
				+ **(19)** Bjárni Henrik Bjárnisson (born 2014)
				+ **(20)** Ólav Fridbjörn Bjárnisson (born 2016)
			* **(21)** Kirstín Sigthóra Viktorsdætr (born 1984)
				+ **(22)** Ása Baldrún Thórsdætr (born 2013)
				+ **(23)** Rafn Jón Thórsson (born 2015)
				+ **(24)** Hvannar Nikulás Thórsson (born 2017)

## Current rules

### Marriage

The Velkanian constitution states that all legitimate descendants of Bjárni I are eligible to inherit the throne. Dynasts lose their right to the throne if they marry without the permission of the monarch. Individuals born to unmarried dynasts or former dynasts who married without the monarch's permission are excluded from the line of succession. Additionally, when approving a marriage, the monarch may impose conditions that must be met in order to maintain succession rights. This practice is largely behind-the-scenes, and it is not public knowledge how hands-on the monarch is when approving marriages, or if it is simply a ceremonial formality.

### Residency

No members of the line of succession may permanently reside in a country other than the Velkanian Isles other than for educational or career-based purposes, pledge allegiance to a foreign nation through citizenship, military service, or any other reason, register with a political party or vote in elections, or seek election to a public office. For those residing in other nations for educational or career-based purposes, a significant amount of privileges are granted. If their country of residence allows non-citizens to vote, they may vote in these foreign elections. Additionally, they are not required to seek the monarch's approval of their marriage if they plan to marry in their country of residence.

### Religion

From 1656 to 1966, the monarch must have been a registered member of the Church of Forsland. Since the restoration of Velkanian independence, no monarch has been a member of the church and additionally none have publicly expressed a belief in religion at all.

## Ascension

In the Velkanian Isles, upon the death of the sovereign, the heir apparent ascends to the throne immediately, with no need for a coronation or confirmation. Afterwards, a proclamation is made announcing the death of the sovereign and the day is declared Ascension Day.

Following their ascension, the new sovereign is required to take several oaths to preserve the liberties and freedoms of the people that the rule over. These oaths are taken at the first meeting of parliament of the new sovereign's reign. After ascending to the throne, the sovereign embarks on a nationwide tour to meet the people that they now rule over. There is no coronation for the new sovereign in the Velkanian Isles.