Warning: This contains SPOILERS for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever!

One famous Wakandan character is ready to fight for the throne at the end of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, but he may not be crowned king just yet. T'Challa's offscreen death left Queen Ramonda in charge of the Wakandan kingdom, though her reign quickly came to an end once Namor invaded Wakanda and murdered her. This leaves Shuri as the only living member of the royal family (as far as the kingdom knows).

However, while Shuri took up the mantle of the Black Panther in Wakanda Forever, Wakanda still remains without a monarch. After Shuri makes peace with Namor and ends Wakanda's war with Talokan, her Wakandan people await her coronation ceremony. However, M'Baku arrives to tell them that she won't perform it. He's also quick to ask if there's anybody who's willing to challenge him for the throne, following Wakandan tradition. Wakanda Forever doesn't confirm whether M'Baku's request to become king is accepted or if another warrior steps up to challenge him. That doesn't mean he can ascend to the throne automatically, however, as two different characters still have a chance.

Related: Wakanda Forever's Surprise Returning Black Panther Character Explained

Can Shuri Rule Wakanda?

Shuri in Namor's chambers in Black Panther 2

Shuri is the most obvious candidate for the Wakandan throne. Not only does she go through the process to become the Black Panther by the end of Wakanda Forever, Wakanda's rightful protector, but she is also the last known member of the traditional royal family by the end of Wakanda Forever. Even Namor's decision to kill Queen Ramonda came from the assumption that the throne would be automatically conferred to Shuri. Considering that Wakandan culture is so deeply connected to the Black Panthers' direct ancestors, many Wakandans may be opposed to the idea of having a new monarch outside the traditional bloodline.

However, the coronation ceremony is also a big part of Wakandan tradition, and it seems that Shuri was confident in her decision to skip it. Even if she did want to fight for the throne, the ceremony requires her to be stripped of he Black Panther suit and abilities, forcing her to rely on her natural fighting skills to defend her right to the throne. Being a genius rather than a fighter, Shuri likely wouldn't be able to defeat a committed warrior like M'Baku without the help of the Heart-Shaped Herb's abilities. Perhaps she will abdicate the reign to M'Baku, knowing that he will be able to defend his duty from anyone who dares challenge him.

Will Prince T'Challa Become The New King Of Wakanda?

Young Prince T'Challa as the MCU's New Black Panther

A surprising candidate for the Wakandan throne is King T'Challa's son, Toussaint. Although T'Challa and Nakia kept his existence a secret, he already knows about his Wakandan origin and his royal heritage. With the support of Nakia, Shuri, and even Ramonda and T'Challa before their death, Divine Love Konadu-Sun's Toussaint is guaranteed a bright future in Wakanda. He could travel to Wakanda as a teenager to get acquainted with his home culture and ingest the Heart-Shaped Herb, after which he could ascend to the throne and continue his father's legacy as a warrior king. For now, however, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever leaves the identity of the next Wakandan monarch up to interpretation.

Next: Will There Be A Black Panther 3? Everything We Know

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