At the moment I'm listening to "1492, Conquest of Paradise" and before breakfast too! It sounds like I'm trekking through the jungles of the New World. Very atmospheric impressions throughout.
...How does anyone know who will succeed him as next in line?
He is not married at this time; he has one son 'out of wedlock' as well as a daughter earlier, so it's a bit confusing. Can the next in line be passed on to Caroline, his sister, or her (male) children?