The British Monarchy has existed for more than a millennium. Today the government of the United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy. However, Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain continues to be considered one of the most respected and influential people on the planet. The reverence that the people of her country give her extends to her family members - the House of Windsor.
UK: The Royal Family
Despite the fact that in England there is no strict definition (neither legal nor formal) of the members of the monarch's family, nevertheless, as a rule, the following persons are considered to be: the monarch himself (king and queen), the queen's husband (in the case of if he is not king), children of the monarch and their spouses, children of the sons of the monarch (i.e. male grandchildren) and their wives (husbands). The King and Queen of Great Britain bear the title of Her (His) Royal Majesty, and the rest of the family - theirroyal highnesses. They are considered princes and princesses. In the old days, each of the members of the monarchical family represented the king (queen) throughout the country, holding responsible government posts. The transition to a constitutional monarchy has changed a lot in the kingdom of Great Britain: the royal family has lost many of its powers, and today its members perform only social and ceremonial functions both within the kingdom and abroad. The same applies to the role of the queen in the affairs of the state. The country is governed by a cabinet of ministers, which is responsible to parliament. However, she has the power of veto, and she can, at her own discretion, dissolve parliament and call new elections, etc.
All members of the British Royal Family
So, the first on the list, of course, are Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Duke Philip of Edinburgh - Prince Consort. Then follow the heir to the British throne, the Queen's eldest son, Prince Charles of Wales and his wife (second) - Camilla Parker-Bowles - Duchess of Cornwall. Next on the list are the newly-made parents - the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge - Prince William (the eldest grandson of the Queen) and Princess Catherine (nee Middleton), and, of course, their son - the great-grandson of Elizabeth II - Prince John of Cambridge - the youngest member of the royal family. Next on the list is the second son of Prince Charles and his first wife, Princess Diana, Prince Henry of Wales, better known around the world as Prince Harry. He is followed by his uncle (second sonQueen) Prince Andrew of York and his daughters - Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, then - the family of the third son of Elizabeth II, Earl of Wessex (his wife Sophia, son - Viscount James Severen, daughter - Louise Windsor), and the only daughter of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh - Anna is the princess of the kingdom of Great Britain. The royal family is not limited to so many royals. Next on the list are cousins of Elizabeth II, etc.
History of the British Royal Family
The Windsor dynasty is a British branch of the Goth dynasty of Saxe-Coburg, hence also the Wettin house from which Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria (Hanover), descends. However, during the First World War, when England was in hostile relations with Germany, King George the Fifth abandoned the Saxon and other German titles, renaming the former dynasty the House of Windsor. The monarchs of this dynasty were George the Fifth, who ruled from 1910 to 1936, Edward the Eighth, who was immediately replaced on the throne by George the Sixth, the father of the current queen, who ruled the kingdom for 16 years, and Elizabeth II, the now living Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain. The royal family, despite minor scandals that arise from time to time, nevertheless enjoys great love and respect in the country. Any event that concerns them, both joyful and sad, the people accept as their own. In this country, one of the most beloved holidays is the birthday of the beloved.queens.
