This is a list of the individuals who were, at any given time, considered the next in line to inherit the throne of Russia or Grand Prince of Moscow. Those who actually succeeded (at any future time) are shown in bold. Stillborn children and infants surviving less than a month are not included.

1281 to 1552

At this time the ruler is known as Grand Prince of Moscow

Grand Prince of Moscow

This is a list of Princes and Grand Princes of Russian Grand Duchy of Moscow.Note: the first 3 Princes are not members of the family of Daniel of Russia and their ownership of Moscow is disputed.- Princes of Moscow :* Vladimir Yuryevich This is a list of Princes and Grand Princes of Russian Grand...

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Heir	Status	Relationship to Monarch	Became heir	Reason	Ceased to be heir	Reason	Next in line	Monarch
Yury Danilovich Yury of Moscow Yuriy Danilovich, also known as Georgiy Danilovich was Prince of Moscow and Grand Prince of Vladimir ....	Heir apparent	eldest son	1281	born	4 March 1303	became Grand Prince	Ivan Danilovich 1288–1303, brother	Daniel Daniel of Moscow Daniil Aleksandrovich was the youngest son of Alexander Nevsky and forefather of all the Grand Princes of Moscow....
Ivan Danilovich	Heir presumptive	brother	4 March 1303	brother became Grand Prince	21 November 1325	became Grand Prince	uncertain	Yury Yury of Moscow Yuriy Danilovich, also known as Georgiy Danilovich was Prince of Moscow and Grand Prince of Vladimir ....
							Simeon Ivanovich 1316–1325, son
Simeon Ivanovich	Heir apparent	eldest son	21 November 1325	father became Grand Prince	31 March 1340	became Grand Prince	Ivan Ivanovich 1325–1340, brother	Ivan I
Ivan Ivanovich	Heir presumptive	brother	31 March 1340	brother became Grand Prince	1348	son born to Grand Prince	uncertain	Simeon
Ivan Simeonovich	Heir apparent	eldest son	1349	born	1353	died	Ivan Ivanovich 1349–c. 1350, uncle
							XX Simeonovich c. 1350–1353, brother
Ivan Ivanovich	Heir presumptive	brother	1353	death of Grand Prince's sons	27 April 1353	became Grand Prince	Dmitry Ivanovich 1353, son
Dmitry Ivanovich	Heir apparent	eldest son	27 April 1353	father became Grand Prince	13 November 1359	became Grand Prince	uncertain	Ivan II
							Ivan Ivanovich c. 1356–1359, brother
Ivan Ivanovich	Heir presumptive	brother	13 November 1359	brother became Grand Prince	1364	died	Vladimir Andreyevich 1359–1364, cousin	Dmitry Donskoy
Vladimir Andreyevich	Heir presumptive	cousin	1364	death of Grand Prince's brother	c. 1370	son born to Grand Prince	uncertain
Daniil Dmitrievich	Heir apparent	eldest son	c. 1370	born	15 September 1379	died	Vladimir Andreyevich 1370–1371, father's cousin
							Vasily Dmitrievich 1371–1379, brother
Vasily Dmitrievich	Heir apparent	eldest son	15 September 1379	brother died	19 May 1389	became Grand Prince	Yury Dmitrievich Yury Dmitrievich Yury Dmitrievich , also known as George II of Moscow, Yury of Zvenigorod and Jurij Zwenihorodski, was the second son of Dmitri Donskoi. He was the Duke of Zvenigorod and Galich from 1389 until his death... 1379–1389, brother
Yury Dmitrievich Yury Dmitrievich Yury Dmitrievich , also known as George II of Moscow, Yury of Zvenigorod and Jurij Zwenihorodski, was the second son of Dmitri Donskoi. He was the Duke of Zvenigorod and Galich from 1389 until his death...	Heir presumptive	brother	19 May 1389	brother became Grand Prince	30 March 1395	son born to Grand Prince	Andrey Dmitrievich 1389–1395, brother	Vasily I
Yury Vasilievich	Heir apparent	eldest son	30 March 1395	born	30 November 1400	died	Yury Dmitrievich Yury Dmitrievich Yury Dmitrievich , also known as George II of Moscow, Yury of Zvenigorod and Jurij Zwenihorodski, was the second son of Dmitri Donskoi. He was the Duke of Zvenigorod and Galich from 1389 until his death... 1395–1396, uncle
							Ivan Vasilievich 1396–1400, brother
Ivan Vasilievich	Heir apparent	eldest son	30 November 1400	brother died	20 July 1417	died	Yury Dmitrievich Yury Dmitrievich Yury Dmitrievich , also known as George II of Moscow, Yury of Zvenigorod and Jurij Zwenihorodski, was the second son of Dmitri Donskoi. He was the Duke of Zvenigorod and Galich from 1389 until his death... 1400, uncle
							Daniel Vasilievich 1400–1402, brother
							Yury Dmitrievich Yury Dmitrievich Yury Dmitrievich , also known as George II of Moscow, Yury of Zvenigorod and Jurij Zwenihorodski, was the second son of Dmitri Donskoi. He was the Duke of Zvenigorod and Galich from 1389 until his death... 1402–1415, uncle
							Vasily Vasilievich 1415–1417, brother
Vasily Viasilievich	Heir apparent	eldest son	20 July 1417	brother died	27 February 1425	became Grand Prince	Yury Dmitrievich Yury Dmitrievich Yury Dmitrievich , also known as George II of Moscow, Yury of Zvenigorod and Jurij Zwenihorodski, was the second son of Dmitri Donskoi. He was the Duke of Zvenigorod and Galich from 1389 until his death... 1417–1425, uncle
Yury Dmitrievich Yury Dmitrievich Yury Dmitrievich , also known as George II of Moscow, Yury of Zvenigorod and Jurij Zwenihorodski, was the second son of Dmitri Donskoi. He was the Duke of Zvenigorod and Galich from 1389 until his death...	Heir presumptive	uncle	27 February 1425	nephew became Grand Prince	1433	seized the throne	Vasily Yurievich Kosoy Vasily Kosoy -Life:Vasily Kosoy was the son of Yury Dmitrievich and Anastasia of Smolensk. His grandfather was Dmitry Donskoy who settled the issue of crown inheritance by passing a law according to which his oldest son Vasily I will become Grand Prince after his death and the second in line will be Donskoy's... 1425–1433, son	Vasily II

Heir	Status	Relationship to Monarch	Became heir	Reason	Ceased to be heir	Reason	Next in line	Monarch
Vasily Kosoy Vasily Kosoy -Life:Vasily Kosoy was the son of Yury Dmitrievich and Anastasia of Smolensk. His grandfather was Dmitry Donskoy who settled the issue of crown inheritance by passing a law according to which his oldest son Vasily I will become Grand Prince after his death and the second in line will be Donskoy's...	Heir apparent	eldest son	1433	father became Grand Prince	5 June 1434	became Grand Prince	Dmitry Yurievich Dmitry Shemyaka Dmitriy Yurievich Shemyaka was the second son of Yury of Zvenigorod by Anastasia of Smolensk and grandson of Dmitri Donskoi. His hereditary patrimony was the rich Northern town Galich-Mersky... 1433–1434, brother	Yury II Dmitrievich Yury Dmitrievich Yury Dmitrievich , also known as George II of Moscow, Yury of Zvenigorod and Jurij Zwenihorodski, was the second son of Dmitri Donskoi. He was the Duke of Zvenigorod and Galich from 1389 until his death...
Dmitry Yurievich Dmitry Shemyaka Dmitriy Yurievich Shemyaka was the second son of Yury of Zvenigorod by Anastasia of Smolensk and grandson of Dmitri Donskoi. His hereditary patrimony was the rich Northern town Galich-Mersky...	Heir presumptive	brother	5 June 1434	brother became Grand Prince	1435	Grand Prince deposed by his cousin	uncertain	Vasily Kosoy Vasily Kosoy -Life:Vasily Kosoy was the son of Yury Dmitrievich and Anastasia of Smolensk. His grandfather was Dmitry Donskoy who settled the issue of crown inheritance by passing a law according to which his oldest son Vasily I will become Grand Prince after his death and the second in line will be Donskoy's...

Heir	Status	Relationship to Monarch	Became heir	Reason	Ceased to be heir	Reason	Next in line	Monarch
succession uncertain 1435–1440								Vasily II
Ivan Vasilievich Ivan III of Russia Ivan III Vasilyevich , also known as Ivan the Great, was a Grand Prince of Moscow and "Grand Prince of all Rus"...	Heir apparent	eldest son	22 January 1440	born	1446	Grand Prince deposed	uncertain
			1447	father returned to throne	27 March 1462	became Grand Prince	Andrey Vasilievich Bolshoy Andrey Bolshoy Andrey Vasilyevich Bolshoy, nicknamed Goryai , was the third son of Vasili II of Russia who transformed his capital in Uglich into a major centre of political power and ensured the town's prosperity for two centuries to come.After the death of his father in 1462, Andrey Bolshoy inherited the... 1447–1458, brother
							Ivan Ivanovich Ivan the Young Ivan Ivanovich was the eldest son and heir of Ivan III from his first marriage to Maria of Tver.Ivan's father empowered him to deal with most administrative and military affairs of the state in order to make ordinary... 1458–1462, son
Ivan Ivanovich Ivan the Young Ivan Ivanovich was the eldest son and heir of Ivan III from his first marriage to Maria of Tver.Ivan's father empowered him to deal with most administrative and military affairs of the state in order to make ordinary...	Heir apparent	eldest son	27 March 1462	father became Grand Prince	6 March 1490	died	Andrey Vasilievich Bolshoy Andrey Bolshoy Andrey Vasilyevich Bolshoy, nicknamed Goryai , was the third son of Vasili II of Russia who transformed his capital in Uglich into a major centre of political power and ensured the town's prosperity for two centuries to come.After the death of his father in 1462, Andrey Bolshoy inherited the... 1462–1479, uncle	Ivan III Ivan III of Russia Ivan III Vasilyevich , also known as Ivan the Great, was a Grand Prince of Moscow and "Grand Prince of all Rus"...
							Vasily Ivanovich Vasili III of Russia Vasili III Ivanovich was the Grand Prince of Moscow from 1505 to 1533. He was the son of Ivan III Vasiliyevich and Sophia Paleologue and was christened with the name Gavriil... 1479–1483, half-brother
							Dmitry Ivanovich Dmitry Ivanovich (grandson of Ivan III) Dmitry Ivanovich was Grand Prince of Moscow between 1498 and 1502.Dmitry's parents were Ivan the Young, crown heir of Moscow, and Elena, daughter of Stephen III of Moldavia. After his father's death in 1490 he became heir presumptive of Moscowy... 1483–1490, son
Dmitry Ivanovich Dmitry Ivanovich (grandson of Ivan III) Dmitry Ivanovich was Grand Prince of Moscow between 1498 and 1502.Dmitry's parents were Ivan the Young, crown heir of Moscow, and Elena, daughter of Stephen III of Moldavia. After his father's death in 1490 he became heir presumptive of Moscowy...	Heir apparent	grandson	1490	father died	April 1502	excluded from succession by Grand Prince	Vasili Ivanovich Vasili III of Russia Vasili III Ivanovich was the Grand Prince of Moscow from 1505 to 1533. He was the son of Ivan III Vasiliyevich and Sophia Paleologue and was christened with the name Gavriil... 1490–1502, half-uncle
Vasily Ivanovich Vasili III of Russia Vasili III Ivanovich was the Grand Prince of Moscow from 1505 to 1533. He was the son of Ivan III Vasiliyevich and Sophia Paleologue and was christened with the name Gavriil...	Heir apparent	eldest living son	April 1502	nephew exluded from succession by Grand Prince	27 October 1505	became Grand Prince	Yury Ivanovich 1502–1505, brother
Yury Ivanovich	Heir presumptive	brother	27 October 1505	brother became Grand Prince	25 August 1530	son born to Grand Prince	Andrey Ivanovich Andrey of Staritsa Andrey Ivanovich was the youngest son of Ivan the Great by Sophia of Byzantium. Since 1519, his appanages included Volokolamsk and Staritsa.... 1505–1530, brother	Vasily III Vasili III of Russia Vasili III Ivanovich was the Grand Prince of Moscow from 1505 to 1533. He was the son of Ivan III Vasiliyevich and Sophia Paleologue and was christened with the name Gavriil...
Ivan Vasilievich Ivan IV of Russia Ivan IV Vasilyevich , known in English as Ivan the Terrible , was Grand Prince of Moscow from 1533 until his death. His long reign saw the conquest of the Khanates of Kazan, Astrakhan, and Siberia, transforming Russia into a multiethnic and multiconfessional state spanning almost one billion acres,...	Heir apparent	eldest son	25 August 1530	born	13 December 1533	became Grand Prince	Yury Ivanovich 1530–1532, uncle
							Yuri Vasilievich 1532–1533, brother
Yuri Vasilievich	Heir presumptive	brother	13 December 1533	brother became Grand Prince	16 January 1547	Grand Prince crowned Tsar	Yury Ivanovich 1533–1536, uncle	Ivan IV Ivan IV of Russia Ivan IV Vasilyevich , known in English as Ivan the Terrible , was Grand Prince of Moscow from 1533 until his death. His long reign saw the conquest of the Khanates of Kazan, Astrakhan, and Siberia, transforming Russia into a multiethnic and multiconfessional state spanning almost one billion acres,...
							Andrey Ivanovich of Staritsa Andrey of Staritsa Andrey Ivanovich was the youngest son of Ivan the Great by Sophia of Byzantium. Since 1519, his appanages included Volokolamsk and Staritsa.... 1536–1537, uncle
							Vladimir of Staritsa Vladimir of Staritsa Vladimir Andreyevich was the last appanage Russian prince. His complicated relationship with his cousin, Ivan the Terrible, was dramatized in Sergei Eisenstein's movie Ivan the Terrible.... 1537–1547, cousin

1552 to 1722

From this point of the ruler is Tsar (Czar) of Russia.

Heir	Status	Relationship to Monarch	Became heir	Reason	Ceased to be heir	Reason	Next in line	Monarch
Yuri Vasilievich	Heir presumptive	brother	16 January 1547	ruler first crowned Tsar	1552	son born to tsar	Vladimir of Staritsa Vladimir of Staritsa Vladimir Andreyevich was the last appanage Russian prince. His complicated relationship with his cousin, Ivan the Terrible, was dramatized in Sergei Eisenstein's movie Ivan the Terrible.... 1547–1552, cousin	Ivan IV Ivan IV of Russia Ivan IV Vasilyevich , known in English as Ivan the Terrible , was Grand Prince of Moscow from 1533 until his death. His long reign saw the conquest of the Khanates of Kazan, Astrakhan, and Siberia, transforming Russia into a multiethnic and multiconfessional state spanning almost one billion acres,...
Dmitry Ivanovich	Heir apparent	son	1552	born	1553	died	Yuri Vasilievich 1552–1553, uncle
Yuri Vasilievich	Heir presumptive	brother	1533	tsar's son died	28 March 1554	son born to tsar	Vladimir of Staritsa Vladimir of Staritsa Vladimir Andreyevich was the last appanage Russian prince. His complicated relationship with his cousin, Ivan the Terrible, was dramatized in Sergei Eisenstein's movie Ivan the Terrible.... 1553–1554, cousin
Tsarevich Ivan Ivanovich Tsarevich Ivan Ivanovich of Russia Ivan Ivanovich of the House of Rurik, was Tsarevich - the heir apparent - of the Tsardom of Russia, being the second son of Ivan the Terrible and Anastasia Romanovna, and elder brother of Feodor....	Heir apparent	son	28 March 1554	born	19 November 1581	died	Yuri Vasilievich 1554–1563, uncle
							uncertain
							Tsarevich Feodor Ivanovich Feodor I of Russia Fyodor I Ivanovich 1598) was the last Rurikid Tsar of Russia , son of Ivan IV and Anastasia Romanovna. In English he is sometimes called Feodor the Bellringer in consequence of his strong faith and inclination to travel the land and ring the bells at churches. However, in Russian the name... 1557–1581, brother
Tsarevich Feodor Ivanovich Feodor I of Russia Fyodor I Ivanovich 1598) was the last Rurikid Tsar of Russia , son of Ivan IV and Anastasia Romanovna. In English he is sometimes called Feodor the Bellringer in consequence of his strong faith and inclination to travel the land and ring the bells at churches. However, in Russian the name...	Heir apparent	eldest son	19 November 1581	brother died	18 March 1584	became tsar	uncertain
							Tsarevich Dmitry Ivanovich 1582–1591, half-brother
Tsarevich Dmitry Ivanovich	Heir presumptive	half-brother	18 March 1584	brother became tsar	15 May 1591	died	uncertain	Feodor I Feodor I of Russia Fyodor I Ivanovich 1598) was the last Rurikid Tsar of Russia , son of Ivan IV and Anastasia Romanovna. In English he is sometimes called Feodor the Bellringer in consequence of his strong faith and inclination to travel the land and ring the bells at churches. However, in Russian the name...
succession uncertain 1591–1598

Heir	Status	Relationship to Monarch	Became heir	Reason	Ceased to be heir	Reason	Next in line	Monarch
Tsarevich Feodor Borisovich Godunov Feodor II of Russia Fyodor II Borisovich Godunov of Russia was a tsar of Russia during the Time of Troubles. He was born in Moscow, the son and successor to Boris Godunov...	Heir apparent	eldest son	21 February 1598	father became tsar	13 April 1605	became Tsar	uncertain	Boris Godunov Boris Godunov Boris Fyodorovich Godunov was de facto regent of Russia from c. 1585 to 1598 and then the first non-Rurikid tsar from 1598 to 1605. The end of his reign saw Russia descend into the Time of Troubles.-Early years:...
succession uncertain 1605–1606								Feodor II Feodor II of Russia Fyodor II Borisovich Godunov of Russia was a tsar of Russia during the Time of Troubles. He was born in Moscow, the son and successor to Boris Godunov...
								False Dmitriy I False Dmitriy I False Dmitriy I was the Tsar of Russia from 21 July 1605 until his death on 17 May 1606 under the name of Dimitriy Ioannovich . He is sometimes referred to under the usurped title of Dmitriy II...
Dmitry Shuisky Dmitry Shuisky Prince Dmitry Ivanovich Shuisky was a Russian boyar from the Shuisky family, a younger brother to Vasily IV of Russia.As a playmate of young Tsarevich Feodor Ivanovich, Dmitry was said to accompany him day and night in his devout wanderings from monastery to monastery. In 1584, his slandering of...	Heir presumptive	brother	19 May 1606	brother became tsar	17 July 1610	brother dethroned	uncertain	Vasili IV Vasili IV of Russia Vasili IV of Russia was Tsar of Russia between 1606 and 1610 after the murder of False Dmitriy I. His reign fell during the Time of Troubles....
succession uncertain 1610								False Dmitry II False Dmitry II False Dmitry II , also called the rebel of Tushino, was the second of three pretenders to the Russian throne who claimed to be Tsarevich Dmitry Ivanovich of Russia, the youngest son of Ivan the Terrible...
Sigismund III Vasa Sigismund III Vasa Sigismund III Vasa was King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, a monarch of the united Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth from 1587 to 1632, and King of Sweden from 1592 until he was deposed in 1599... , King of Poland	Heir presumptive	father	6 September 1610	son became ruler of Moscowy	4 November 1612	Polish forces defeated	John Casimir Vasa 1610–1612, son	Władysław IV Vasa Władysław IV Vasa Władysław IV Vasa was a Polish and Swedish prince from the House of Vasa. He reigned as King of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth from 8 November 1632 to his death in 1648....

Heir	Status	Relationship to Monarch	Became heir	Reason	Ceased to be heir	Reason	Next in line	Monarch
Filaret, Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Patriarch Filaret (Feodor Romanov) Feodor Nikitich Romanov was a Russian boyar who after temporary disgrace rose to become patriarch of Moscow as Filaret , and became de-facto ruler of Russia during the reign of his son, Mikhail Feodorovich.- Life :...	Heir presumptive	father	26 July 1613	son became tsar	9 March 1629	son born to tsar	uncertain	Michael Michael of Russia Mikhail I Fyodorovich Romanov Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov was the first Russian Tsar of the house of Romanov. He was the son of Feodor Nikitich Romanov and Xenia...
Tsarevich Alexei Mikhailovich Alexis I of Russia Aleksey Mikhailovich Romanov was the Tsar of Russia during some of the most eventful decades of the mid-17th century...	Heir apparent	eldest son	9 March 1629	born	14 July 1645	became tsar	Patriarch Filaret Patriarch Filaret (Feodor Romanov) Feodor Nikitich Romanov was a Russian boyar who after temporary disgrace rose to become patriarch of Moscow as Filaret , and became de-facto ruler of Russia during the reign of his son, Mikhail Feodorovich.- Life :... 1629–1633, grandfather
							uncertain
succession uncertain 1645–1648								Alexei
Tsarevich Dmitri Alekseyevich	Heir apparent	eldest son	1648	born	1649	died	uncertain
succession uncertain 1649–1654
Tsarevich Alexei Alekseyevich	Heir apparent	eldest son	15 February 1654	born	17 January 1670	died	uncertain
							Tsarevich Feodor Alekseyevich Feodor III of Russia Feodor III Alexeevich of Russia was the Tsar of all Russia between 1676 and 1682.... 1661–1670, brother
Tsarevich Feodor Alekseyevich Feodor III of Russia Feodor III Alexeevich of Russia was the Tsar of all Russia between 1676 and 1682....	Heir apparent	eldest son	17 January 1670	brother died	29 January 1676	became tsar	Tsarevich Ivan Alekseyevich Ivan V of Russia Ivan V Alekseyevich Romanov was a joint Tsar of Russia who co-reigned between 1682 and 1696. He was the youngest son of Alexis I of Russia and Maria Miloslavskaya. His reign was only formal, since he had serious physical and mental disabilities... 1670–1676, brother
Tsarevich Ivan Alekseyevich Ivan V of Russia Ivan V Alekseyevich Romanov was a joint Tsar of Russia who co-reigned between 1682 and 1696. He was the youngest son of Alexis I of Russia and Maria Miloslavskaya. His reign was only formal, since he had serious physical and mental disabilities...	Heir presumptive	brother	29 January 1676	brother became tsar	7 May 1682	became tsar	Tsarevich Peter Alekseyvich 1676–1682, half-brother	Feodor III Feodor III of Russia Feodor III Alexeevich of Russia was the Tsar of all Russia between 1676 and 1682....

Heir	Status	Relationship to Monarch	Became heir	Reason	Ceased to be heir	Reason	Next in line	Monarch
succession uncertain 1682–1690								Peter I
								Peter I and Ivan V Ivan V of Russia Ivan V Alekseyevich Romanov was a joint Tsar of Russia who co-reigned between 1682 and 1696. He was the youngest son of Alexis I of Russia and Maria Miloslavskaya. His reign was only formal, since he had serious physical and mental disabilities...  (jointly)
Grand Duke Alexei Petrovich	heir presumptive	eldest son (of Peter)	18 February 1690	born	26 June 1718	died	uncertain
							Grand Duke Alexander Petrovich 1691–1692, brother
							uncertain
	heir apparent	eldest son						Peter I
							Grand Duke Peter Alekseyevich Peter II of Russia Pyotr II Alekseyevich was Emperor of Russia from 1727 until his death. He was the only son of Tsarevich Alexei Petrovich, son of Peter I of Russia by his first wife Eudoxia Lopukhina, and Princess Charlotte, daughter of Duke Louis Rudolph of Brunswick-Lüneburg and sister-in-law of Charles VI,... 1715–1718, son
Grand Duke Peter Alekseyevich Peter II of Russia Pyotr II Alekseyevich was Emperor of Russia from 1727 until his death. He was the only son of Tsarevich Alexei Petrovich, son of Peter I of Russia by his first wife Eudoxia Lopukhina, and Princess Charlotte, daughter of Duke Louis Rudolph of Brunswick-Lüneburg and sister-in-law of Charles VI,...	Heir presumptive	grandson	26 June 1718	father died	16 February 1722	Decree of the succession to the throne	uncertain

1722 to 1797

Between Peter I's decree on the succession to the throne of 16 February 1722 and Paul I

Paul I of Russia

Paul I was the Emperor of Russia between 1796 and 1801. He also was the 72nd Prince and Grand Master of the Order of Malta .-Childhood:...

's decree of 15 May 1797, the Emperor had the right to name his or her own successor. All heirs in this period were nominated by the reigning monarch, rather than holding the position by right of inheritance. Despite Peter the Great's modification of the law to allow nomination of a successor by the monarch, neither he nor his two immediate successors ever nominated an heir, and Catherine I, Peter II, and Anna were all chosen irregularly, after the death of their predecessor. In addition, Ivan VI, who had not named a successor, was deposed in a coup, while Peter III, who was deposed and murdered after a coup, was succeeded not by his son Paul, his chosen successor, but by his wife, who became Catherine II.

Heir	Status	Relationship to Monarch	Became heir	Reason	Ceased to be heir	Reason	Monarch
Grand Duke Ivan Antonovich Ivan VI of Russia Ivan VI Antonovich of Russia , was proclaimed Emperor of Russia in 1740, as an infant, although he never actually reigned. Within less than a year, he was overthrown by the Empress Elizabeth of Russia, Peter the Great's daughter...	Crown heir	grand nephew	1740	proclaimed by Empress	1740	became emperor	Anna Anna of Russia Anna of Russia or Anna Ivanovna reigned as Duchess of Courland from 1711 to 1730 and as Empress of Russia from 1730 to 1740.-Accession to the throne:Anna was the daughter of Ivan V of Russia, as well as the niece of Peter the Great...
Grand Duke Peter Feodorovich Peter III of Russia Peter III was Emperor of Russia for six months in 1762. He was very pro-Prussian, which made him an unpopular leader. He was supposedly assassinated as a result of a conspiracy led by his wife, who succeeded him to the throne as Catherine II.-Early life and character:Peter was born in Kiel, in...	Heir apparent	nephew	1742	proclaimed by Empress	1762	became emperor	Elizabeth
Grand Duke Paul Petrovich Paul I of Russia Paul I was the Emperor of Russia between 1796 and 1801. He also was the 72nd Prince and Grand Master of the Order of Malta .-Childhood:...	Heir apparent	son	1762	proclaimed by Emperor, and then by Empress	1796	became emperor	Peter III Peter III of Russia Peter III was Emperor of Russia for six months in 1762. He was very pro-Prussian, which made him an unpopular leader. He was supposedly assassinated as a result of a conspiracy led by his wife, who succeeded him to the throne as Catherine II.-Early life and character:Peter was born in Kiel, in...  and Catherine II Catherine II of Russia Catherine II, also known as Catherine the Great , Empress of Russia, was born in Stettin, Pomerania, Prussia on as Sophie Friederike Auguste von Anhalt-Zerbst-Dornburg...
Grand Duke Alexander Pavlovich Alexander I of Russia Alexander I of Russia , served as Emperor of Russia from 23 March 1801 to 1 December 1825 and the first Russian King of Poland from 1815 to 1825. He was also the first Russian Grand Duke of Finland and Lithuania....	Heir apparent	son	1796	proclaimed by Emperor	1801	became emperor	Paul I Paul I of Russia Paul I was the Emperor of Russia between 1796 and 1801. He also was the 72nd Prince and Grand Master of the Order of Malta .-Childhood:...

1797 to 1917

In 1797, Emperor Paul modified the laws of succession, abolishing the Petrine law and establishing in its place a law establishing semi-Salic succession among his own descendants. This law remained until the abolition of the monarchy.

Although Grand Duke Constantine Pavlovich renounced his claims to the throne in 1820, he did so secretly, and so was still widely viewed as heir to the throne until his older brother's death in 1825. At the death of Alexander I, the next brother, who would became Nicholas I, deferred his claims until his older brother Constantine renounced once again, but after Constantine's second renunciation he claimed to have taken the throne immediately upon Alexander's death.

Heir	Status	Relationship to Monarch	Became heir	Reason	Ceased to be heir	Reason	Monarch
Tsarevich Alexander Pavlovich Alexander I of Russia Alexander I of Russia , served as Emperor of Russia from 23 March 1801 to 1 December 1825 and the first Russian King of Poland from 1815 to 1825. He was also the first Russian Grand Duke of Finland and Lithuania....	Heir apparent	son	1797	designated as heir by new law of succession	1801	became emperor	Paul I Paul I of Russia Paul I was the Emperor of Russia between 1796 and 1801. He also was the 72nd Prince and Grand Master of the Order of Malta .-Childhood:...
Grand Duke Constantine Pavlovich Grand Duke Constantine Pavlovich of Russia Constantine Pavlovich was a grand duke of Russia and the second son of Emperor Paul I. He was the Tsesarevich of Russia throughout the reign of his elder brother Alexander I, but had secretly renounced his claim to the throne in 1823...	Heir presumptive	brother	1801	brother ascended to throne	1820	renounced claims to the throne	Alexander I Alexander I of Russia Alexander I of Russia , served as Emperor of Russia from 23 March 1801 to 1 December 1825 and the first Russian King of Poland from 1815 to 1825. He was also the first Russian Grand Duke of Finland and Lithuania....
Grand Duke Nicholas Pavlovich Nicholas I of Russia Nicholas I , was the Emperor of Russia from 1825 until 1855, known as one of the most reactionary of the Russian monarchs. On the eve of his death, the Russian Empire reached its historical zenith spanning over 20 million square kilometers...	Heir presumptive	brother	1820	brother's renunciation	1825	became emperor	Alexander I Alexander I of Russia Alexander I of Russia , served as Emperor of Russia from 23 March 1801 to 1 December 1825 and the first Russian King of Poland from 1815 to 1825. He was also the first Russian Grand Duke of Finland and Lithuania....
Tsarevich Alexander Nikolaevich Alexander II of Russia Alexander II , also known as Alexander the Liberator was the Emperor of the Russian Empire from 3 March 1855 until his assassination in 1881...	Heir apparent	son	1825	father's accession to the throne	1855	became emperor	Nicholas I Nicholas I of Russia Nicholas I , was the Emperor of Russia from 1825 until 1855, known as one of the most reactionary of the Russian monarchs. On the eve of his death, the Russian Empire reached its historical zenith spanning over 20 million square kilometers...
Tsarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich	Heir apparent	son	1855	father's accession to the throne	1865	died	Alexander II Alexander II of Russia Alexander II , also known as Alexander the Liberator was the Emperor of the Russian Empire from 3 March 1855 until his assassination in 1881...
Tsarevich Alexander Alexandrovich Alexander III of Russia Alexander Alexandrovich Romanov , historically remembered as Alexander III or Alexander the Peacemaker reigned as Emperor of Russia from until his death on .-Disposition:...	Heir apparent	son	1865	brother's death	1881	became emperor	Alexander II Alexander II of Russia Alexander II , also known as Alexander the Liberator was the Emperor of the Russian Empire from 3 March 1855 until his assassination in 1881...
Tsarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich Nicholas II of Russia Nicholas II was the last Emperor of Russia, Grand Prince of Finland, and titular King of Poland. His official short title was Nicholas II, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias and he is known as Saint Nicholas the Passion-Bearer by the Russian Orthodox Church.Nicholas II ruled from 1894 until...	Heir apparent	son	1881	father's accession to the throne	1894	became emperor	Alexander III Alexander III of Russia Alexander Alexandrovich Romanov , historically remembered as Alexander III or Alexander the Peacemaker reigned as Emperor of Russia from until his death on .-Disposition:...
Grand Duke George Alexandrovich Grand Duke George Alexandrovich of Russia Grand Duke George Alexandrovich of Russia, , was the third son of Alexander III and Empress Marie of Russia. He was named George after his mother's younger brother, King George I of Greece...	Heir presumptive	brother	1894	brother's accession to the throne	1899	died	Nicholas II Nicholas II of Russia Nicholas II was the last Emperor of Russia, Grand Prince of Finland, and titular King of Poland. His official short title was Nicholas II, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias and he is known as Saint Nicholas the Passion-Bearer by the Russian Orthodox Church.Nicholas II ruled from 1894 until...
Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich of Russia Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich of Russia was the youngest son of Emperor Alexander III of Russia.At the time of his birth, his paternal grandfather was still the reigning Emperor of All the Russias. Michael was fourth-in-line to the throne following his father and elder brothers Nicholas and...	Heir presumptive	brother	1899	brother's death	1904	birth of Emperor's son	Nicholas II Nicholas II of Russia Nicholas II was the last Emperor of Russia, Grand Prince of Finland, and titular King of Poland. His official short title was Nicholas II, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias and he is known as Saint Nicholas the Passion-Bearer by the Russian Orthodox Church.Nicholas II ruled from 1894 until...
Tsarevich Alexei Nikolaevich	Heir apparent	son	1904	born	1917	Russian monarchy abolished	Nicholas II Nicholas II of Russia Nicholas II was the last Emperor of Russia, Grand Prince of Finland, and titular King of Poland. His official short title was Nicholas II, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias and he is known as Saint Nicholas the Passion-Bearer by the Russian Orthodox Church.Nicholas II ruled from 1894 until...