You have a royal who abdicates in favor of a child, and said child dies hairless, but there is another, post-abdication sibling or half sibling. (Essentially, you’re also seeking the answer to the unasked question: what happens if there are no heirs at all.)
As has been mentioned, there is no ONE answer. I will say that I agree with the historical analysis by @Benjamin Olson...but I wouldn’t follow it. Not 100%, at least.
For a fictional setting, and in order to ensure PLENTY of potential plotlines, I’d have the abdicator treated as having predeceased the child he or she abdicated in favor of, just like was mentioned. HOWEVER, I would say that post-abdication children would have no automatic claim to the titles either. Those rights die with the abdication.
Instead, the next ruler would be chosen by some kind of contest. What kind & who can participate could depend on the nature of the culture in question, depending on what kingly attributes they value most. It might even be variable, especially if religions, oracles or prophecies were involved.
As has been mentioned, there is no ONE answer. I will say that I agree with the historical analysis by @Benjamin Olson...but I wouldn’t follow it. Not 100%, at least.
For a fictional setting, and in order to ensure PLENTY of potential plotlines, I’d have the abdicator treated as having predeceased the child he or she abdicated in favor of, just like was mentioned. HOWEVER, I would say that post-abdication children would have no automatic claim to the titles either. Those rights die with the abdication.
Instead, the next ruler would be chosen by some kind of contest. What kind & who can participate could depend on the nature of the culture in question, depending on what kingly attributes they value most. It might even be variable, especially if religions, oracles or prophecies were involved.
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