Heir apparent

An heir apparent is the first person in the order of succession and who cannot be displaced from inheriting by the birth of another person, assuming no change in the laws governing succession. A person who is currently first in the order of succession but could be displaced by the birth of a more eligible heir is an heir presumptive.

Today these terms most commonly describe heirs to (e.g. titles of nobility) or offices, especially when only inheritable by a single person.

Most monarchies designate the heir apparent as crown prince or crown princess, though many also grant them a specific substantive title: Prince of Orange in the Netherlands, Duke of Brabant in Belgium, Prince of Asturias in Spain (or Princess of Asturias, granted to female heirs presumptive), Prince of Wales in England and Wales; formerly Dauphin in the Kingdom of France, and Tsesarevich in Imperial Russia.

Metaphorically, an heir apparent may also be an expected successor to some position of power, such as a political or corporate leader.

This article primarily describes heirs apparent in a hereditary system regulated by laws of primogeniture—it may be less applicable to cases where a monarch has a say in naming the heir (performed either while alive, e.g. crowning the heir as a rex iunior, or through the monarch's will).