Who succeeded Queen Elizabeth I?

 

The Successor to Queen Elizabeth I of England

Queen Elizabeth I was succeeded by King James I of England.
She died at Richmond Palace on 24 March 1603, leaving behind a rich and prosperous country.


 

About James I

James was her first cousin twice-removed, and had been ruling as King James VI of Scotland since July 24, 1567. James was the only son of Mary Stuart, (Queen of Scots) and Henry Stuart (Lord Darnley). Mary was the daughter of James V of Scotland, son of Margaret Tudor, sister of Henry VIII.
James I was the first sovereign to reign over both England and Scotland and this began the union known as Great Britain. His Royal style then became 'King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith' etc. His wife and Queen was Anne of Denmark.

While he wasn't a very close relative, the general failure of the Tudor family to procreate (blamed by some on Henry VIII's syphilis) meant James was the only likely successor when Elizabeth died with no children. He was also a Protestant, unlike his mother, and had become an ally of Elizabeth's during her reign, so the transition was relatively seamless.

His English coronation took place on 25 July 1603.  

Other information

The next female monarch after Elizabeth I would have been Anne of Denmark (who was the wife of James I) but she was a Queen Consort (spouse, wife) not a regnant Queen.

Queen Mary (wife of George V) was also a Queen Consort therefore she is not normally styled 'Mary III'. It is interesting that Mary died on March 25, 1953, almost exactly 350 Years after Elizabeth I died.
Elizabeth I died on 24 March 1603, at Richmond Palace, without issue. Her first cousin (twice removed), the Protestant King James VI of Scotland (1566 - 1625) had reigned in Scotland since 1567 after the execution of his mother, Mary Queen of Scots, and he succeeded Elizabeth as King James I of England. His father had also been a Stuart, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley. James claimed descent from Henry VII, the first Tudor king, through his great grandmother, Margaret Tudor, sister of Henry VIII.

The crowns of England and Scotland were united under James, creating the union which became known as Great Britain. His title became: James I, By the Grace of God, King of England, France and Ireland, King of Scots, Defender of the Faith, etc.

First answer by Crystal. Last edit by Crystal. Contributor trust: 3416 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 49 [recommend question].