Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 June 1892 — An Explanation. [ARTICLE]

An Explanation.

The difference between an heir apparent and an heir presumptive is not always clearly understood; here Is the case in a nutshell: The heir apparent must succeed if he survives the present holder of the dignity; while an heir presumptive, although the heir at the moment, is liable to have his right to the succession defeated by the birth of another heir. There cannot, therefore, be at the same time an heir apparent and an heir presumptive. To take a modern instanoe, should the Prince of Wales succeed to the throne of England, his son, Priftce George, if then living, will become the heir apparent to the throne. Should Prince George succeed to the throne before he has children, the Duchess of Fife would be the heir presumptive, her right to the succession always liable to be defeated by the birth of a direct heir to her brother.