The Royal Family
The House of Windsor came into being in 1917. Until then the Royal Family had borne the name Saxe-Coburg-Gotha which had come to them through marriage in 1840. Amid a wave of anti-German feeling during the First World War, George V decided a change was needed and, by adopting a new name, the Windsor dynasty was born.
Today, there are four generations of the House of Windsor. As a royal house that is continually evolving, 2013 saw a landmark change take place. Under the Succession to the Crown Act, male heirs no longer take precedence over their sisters, bringing an end to the system of preference that existed since the Act of Settlement of 1701. This means Princess Charlotte of Cambridge is now fourth in line to the throne, following her grandfather The Prince of Wales, father The Duke of Cambridge and elder brother Prince George of Cambridge.
Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II
From a young queen and a fairy-tale coronation to a pillar of strength in an ever-changing world, we have shared in the highs and lows for an incredible 95 years of Her Majesty’s life.
HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Prince Philip was born on 10 June 1921 in Corfu. His title was Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, the only son of Prince Andrew of Greece and Princess Alice of Battenberg. The great-great-grandchild of Queen Victoria and was in line of succession to thrones in 16 countries.
HRH The Prince Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles was just four years old when his mother stepped into the role of queen and he became second in line to the throne. Since then, he has demonstrated an unwavering sense of duty.
HRH The Prince William, Duke of Cambridge
Prince William is one of the younger royals that have grown up under the close scrutiny of the media. Like his father, he was educated at school but he was also the first royal to take a gap year, where he travelled and volunteered in Chile, Belize and Africa.
HRH The Prince George of Cambridge
As third in line to the throne, spirited and playful Prince George is being brought up like any other little boy. It’s too soon to tell whether Prince George will follow in his father and grandfather’s footsteps by taking on military and charitable work, but he’s certainly charmed the nation already.
