heir presumptive
noun
plural heirs presumptive
: an heir whose legal right to an inheritance may be defeated (as by the birth of a nearer relative)
Examples of heir presumptive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Naruhito only has three heirs: his younger brother and heir presumptive Fumihito, Crown Prince Akishino (58); his 17-year-old nephew Prince Hisahito; and his paternal uncle Prince Hitachi (88).
—
Harriet Marsden, The Week Uk, theweek, 1 May 2024
Did the two boys—Edward, the heir presumptive, and his younger brother, Richard—survive their confinement in the tower, which was precipitated by Richard III’s usurpation of the throne?
—John Anderson, WSJ, 21 Nov. 2023
The queen’s 1892 trip to Hyères was tainted by her mourning for her eldest grandchild and heir presumptive, Prince Albert Victor.
—Jonathan Miles, Town & Country, 5 Sep. 2023
The first glass coach, surmounted with a golden crown, carried the smiling, heir presumptive to the throne, 11-year-old Princess Elizabeth, and her younger sister, Princess Margaret.
—Merrie Monteagudo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2023
Leonor is the heir presumptive rather than the heir apparent because Spanish succession law means that if Felipe were to have a son, the son would take Leonor's place as the heir.
—Lia Beck, Peoplemag, 5 May 2023
Leonor, Princess of Asturias (b. 2005) Leonor de Todos los Santos de Borbón y Ortiz, the eldest child of Felipe and Letizia, is currently the heir presumptive to the Spanish throne.
—Michael Stillwell, Town & Country, 4 Feb. 2023
Leonor, Princess of Asturias, is the heir presumptive to the Spanish throne.
—Town & Country, 16 Dec. 2022
Constantine was born June 2, 1940 in Athens, to Prince Paul, younger brother to King George II and heir presumptive to the throne, and Princess Frederica of Hanover.
—Demetris Nellas, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Jan. 2023
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Harriet Marsden, The Week Uk, theweek, 1 May 2024
Did the two boys—Edward, the heir presumptive, and his younger brother, Richard—survive their confinement in the tower, which was precipitated by Richard III’s usurpation of the throne?
—John Anderson, WSJ, 21 Nov. 2023
The queen’s 1892 trip to Hyères was tainted by her mourning for her eldest grandchild and heir presumptive, Prince Albert Victor.
—Jonathan Miles, Town & Country, 5 Sep. 2023
The first glass coach, surmounted with a golden crown, carried the smiling, heir presumptive to the throne, 11-year-old Princess Elizabeth, and her younger sister, Princess Margaret.
—Merrie Monteagudo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2023
Leonor is the heir presumptive rather than the heir apparent because Spanish succession law means that if Felipe were to have a son, the son would take Leonor's place as the heir.
—Lia Beck, Peoplemag, 5 May 2023
Leonor, Princess of Asturias (b. 2005) Leonor de Todos los Santos de Borbón y Ortiz, the eldest child of Felipe and Letizia, is currently the heir presumptive to the Spanish throne.
—Michael Stillwell, Town & Country, 4 Feb. 2023
Leonor, Princess of Asturias, is the heir presumptive to the Spanish throne.
—Town & Country, 16 Dec. 2022
Constantine was born June 2, 1940 in Athens, to Prince Paul, younger brother to King George II and heir presumptive to the throne, and Princess Frederica of Hanover.
—Demetris Nellas, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Jan. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Heir presumptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heir%20presumptive. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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