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UK Royal Family: Who is in it and what does the Queen do? UK Royal Family: Who is in it and what does the Queen do?
(2 days later)
The UK will have a four-day bank holiday weekend at the beginning of June as part of celebrations for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.The UK will have a four-day bank holiday weekend at the beginning of June as part of celebrations for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
In February, the Queen became the longest-serving British monarch, and the first to reach 70 years on the throne.In February, the Queen became the longest-serving British monarch, and the first to reach 70 years on the throne.
When was the Queen born?
The Queen is 96 years old. She was born on 21 April 1926 but she celebrates two birthdays every year - the second is the day the official celebrations take place and is usually on the second Saturday of June. This tradition started with her great-grandfather Edward VII, who was born in November, to make sure there is good weather for a public celebration.
Queen Elizabeth II has been the UK's head of state since 1952, when her father King George VI died. She is also the head of state for 15 Commonwealth countries, including Canada, Australia and Jamaica.Queen Elizabeth II has been the UK's head of state since 1952, when her father King George VI died. She is also the head of state for 15 Commonwealth countries, including Canada, Australia and Jamaica.
What is the Queen's Jubilee?What is the Queen's Jubilee?
The Queen was born on 21 April 1926 but she celebrates two birthdays every year - the second is the day the official celebrations take place and is usually on the second Saturday of June. This tradition started with her great-grandfather Edward VII, who was born in November, to make sure there is good weather for a public celebration.
The Jubilee marks a special anniversary in a monarch's reign. This year's will be the Queen's fourth jubilee - she celebrated her Silver Jubilee in 1977, her Golden Jubilee in 2002 and her Diamond Jubilee in 2012.The Jubilee marks a special anniversary in a monarch's reign. This year's will be the Queen's fourth jubilee - she celebrated her Silver Jubilee in 1977, her Golden Jubilee in 2002 and her Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
There are number of official events planned throughout the year, but the main celebrations are during a 4-day bank holiday weekend in June, and include a special Trooping of the Colour, a concert outside Buckingham Palace, and a pageant.There are number of official events planned throughout the year, but the main celebrations are during a 4-day bank holiday weekend in June, and include a special Trooping of the Colour, a concert outside Buckingham Palace, and a pageant.
Thousands of street parties will be held across the country. Pubs, bars and nightclubs will also be able to stay open until 01:00 BST.Thousands of street parties will be held across the country. Pubs, bars and nightclubs will also be able to stay open until 01:00 BST.
Prince Harry and Prince Andrew will not appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony with the rest of the Royal Family during the celebrations. As part of the opening celebrations for the Jubilee, the Queen will be joined by members of her family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on 2 June.
The Palace have confirmed that Prince Harry and Prince Andrew will not be present as it will only be for "members of the Royal Family who are currently undertaking official public duties".
Search for events in your areaSearch for events in your area
Platinum Jubilee: Queen's life in picturesPlatinum Jubilee: Queen's life in pictures
Photo map of Queen's visits released to mark jubileePhoto map of Queen's visits released to mark jubilee
Many street parties were held to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012Many street parties were held to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012
When was the Queen crowned and what happens at coronation?When was the Queen crowned and what happens at coronation?
When a monarch dies, the heir immediately becomes king or queen. The coronation is the ceremony at which the monarch is formally crowned. It takes place after a period of mourning for the previous sovereign.When a monarch dies, the heir immediately becomes king or queen. The coronation is the ceremony at which the monarch is formally crowned. It takes place after a period of mourning for the previous sovereign.
Elizabeth II was crowned on 2 June 1953. Her coronation was the first ever to be broadcasted on live TV. More than 20 million people tuned in.Elizabeth II was crowned on 2 June 1953. Her coronation was the first ever to be broadcasted on live TV. More than 20 million people tuned in.
The central elements of the ceremony have barely changed for hundreds of years. The coronation is performed by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The monarch is anointed with "holy oil", receives the orb and sceptre - which are symbols of royalty - and is crowned with the St Edward's Crown, the centrepiece of the Crown Jewels.The central elements of the ceremony have barely changed for hundreds of years. The coronation is performed by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The monarch is anointed with "holy oil", receives the orb and sceptre - which are symbols of royalty - and is crowned with the St Edward's Crown, the centrepiece of the Crown Jewels.
More than 20 million people watched the Queen's coronation on television on 2 June, 1953.More than 20 million people watched the Queen's coronation on television on 2 June, 1953.
How many children and grandchildren does the Queen have? And how does succession work?How many children and grandchildren does the Queen have? And how does succession work?
The Queen was married to her late husband, Prince Philip, who died in April 2021, for more than 73 years. They had four children, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Prince Charles is her first-born, followed by Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.The Queen was married to her late husband, Prince Philip, who died in April 2021, for more than 73 years. They had four children, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Prince Charles is her first-born, followed by Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.
The order of succession sets out which member of the Royal Family takes over as monarch when the existing one dies or abdicates. First in line - the heir to the throne - is the monarch's first-born child.The order of succession sets out which member of the Royal Family takes over as monarch when the existing one dies or abdicates. First in line - the heir to the throne - is the monarch's first-born child.
Royal succession is governed by rules dating back hundreds of years. These were amended in 2013 to ensure that sons no longer take precedence over their older sisters.Royal succession is governed by rules dating back hundreds of years. These were amended in 2013 to ensure that sons no longer take precedence over their older sisters.
Prince Charles is the Queen's heir. His eldest son, Prince William, is second in line, and William's eldest child, Prince George, is third.Prince Charles is the Queen's heir. His eldest son, Prince William, is second in line, and William's eldest child, Prince George, is third.
As heir to the throne, Prince Charles would act as "regent" if his mother was not able to perform due to ill-health. This means he would take on the role of the monarch, without officially taking the position.As heir to the throne, Prince Charles would act as "regent" if his mother was not able to perform due to ill-health. This means he would take on the role of the monarch, without officially taking the position.
Royal Family tree and line of successionRoyal Family tree and line of succession
Why is Meghan and Harry's son Archie not a prince?Why is Meghan and Harry's son Archie not a prince?
What powers does the Queen have? What does the Queen do?
The Queen's powers as head of state are strictly symbolic and ceremonial, and she remains politically neutral.She performs a number of Parliamentary functions: The Queen is a constitutional monarch. This means that while she is the head of state, her powers are symbolic and ceremonial, and she remains politically neutral.
She receives daily dispatches from the government in a red leather box, such as briefings ahead of important meetings or documents which need her formal signature.
There have been 14 UK Prime Ministers during Queen Elizabeth's reign. The PM usually meets the Queen on a Wednesday at Buckingham Palace to keep her informed on all government matters.
No special advisers attend and there is no official record of what is said. It is completely private.She also performs a number of Parliamentary functions:
Appointing a government - the leader of the party which wins a general election is invited to Buckingham Palace, where they are formally invited to form a new government. The Queen also formally dissolves a government before a general electionAppointing a government - the leader of the party which wins a general election is invited to Buckingham Palace, where they are formally invited to form a new government. The Queen also formally dissolves a government before a general election
State opening and the Queen's Speech - the Queen begins the Parliamentary year with the State Opening ceremony, during which she sets out the government's policy plans, in a speech delivered from the throne in the House of Lords. Prince Charles delivered the 2022 Queen's Speech on her behalfState opening and the Queen's Speech - the Queen begins the Parliamentary year with the State Opening ceremony, during which she sets out the government's policy plans, in a speech delivered from the throne in the House of Lords. Prince Charles delivered the 2022 Queen's Speech on her behalf
Royal Assent - when a piece of legislation is passed through Parliament, it must be formally approved by the Queen in order to become law. However, the last time Royal Assent was refused, was in 1708Royal Assent - when a piece of legislation is passed through Parliament, it must be formally approved by the Queen in order to become law. However, the last time Royal Assent was refused, was in 1708
The Queen and Prince Charles attend the 2019 State Opening of ParliamentThe Queen and Prince Charles attend the 2019 State Opening of Parliament
Apart from those, the Queen has regular audiences with the prime minister and members of the Privy Council, hosts visiting heads of state, and meets foreign ambassadors and high commissioners based in the UK. She also normally leads the annual Remembrance event at the Cenotaph in London.Apart from those, the Queen has regular audiences with the prime minister and members of the Privy Council, hosts visiting heads of state, and meets foreign ambassadors and high commissioners based in the UK. She also normally leads the annual Remembrance event at the Cenotaph in London.
The Queen is Royal Patron or president of more than 600 charities, military associations, professional bodies and public service organisations.The Queen is Royal Patron or president of more than 600 charities, military associations, professional bodies and public service organisations.
Who else is in the Royal Family?Who else is in the Royal Family?
Members of the Royal Family celebrated the Queen's official birthday at Buckingham Palace in 2019.Members of the Royal Family celebrated the Queen's official birthday at Buckingham Palace in 2019.
The Prince of Wales (Prince Charles) is the Queen's eldest child and will become king after her death. He is married to the Duchess of Cornwall (Camilla)The Prince of Wales (Prince Charles) is the Queen's eldest child and will become king after her death. He is married to the Duchess of Cornwall (Camilla)
The Duke of Cambridge (Prince William) is the eldest son of Prince Charles and his first wife, Diana, Princess of Wales. He is married to the Duchess of Cambridge (Catherine) and they have three children; Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince LouisThe Duke of Cambridge (Prince William) is the eldest son of Prince Charles and his first wife, Diana, Princess of Wales. He is married to the Duchess of Cambridge (Catherine) and they have three children; Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis
The Princess Royal (Princess Anne) is the Queen's second child and only daughter. She is married to Vice Adm Timothy Laurence. She has two children with her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips; Peter Phillips and Zara TindallThe Princess Royal (Princess Anne) is the Queen's second child and only daughter. She is married to Vice Adm Timothy Laurence. She has two children with her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips; Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall
The Earl of Wessex (Prince Edward) is the Queen's youngest child. He is married to the Countess of Wessex (Sophie Rhys-Jones) and they have two children; Louise and James Mountbatten-WindsorThe Earl of Wessex (Prince Edward) is the Queen's youngest child. He is married to the Countess of Wessex (Sophie Rhys-Jones) and they have two children; Louise and James Mountbatten-Windsor
The Duke of Sussex (Prince Harry) is William's younger brother. He is married to the Duchess of Sussex (Meghan Markle) and they have two children; Archie and Lilibet. In 2020, they announced they were stepping back as senior royals and moved to the USThe Duke of Sussex (Prince Harry) is William's younger brother. He is married to the Duchess of Sussex (Meghan Markle) and they have two children; Archie and Lilibet. In 2020, they announced they were stepping back as senior royals and moved to the US
The Duke of York (Prince Andrew) is the Queen's second son. He has two daughters with his former wife, the Duchess of York (Sarah Ferguson); Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Prince Andrew stepped down as a "working Royal" in 2019 after a controversial Newsnight interview about allegations that he had sexually assaulted Virginia Giuffre. In February he paid an undisclosed sum to settle the civil sexual assault case brought against him in the US by Ms Giuffre.The Duke of York (Prince Andrew) is the Queen's second son. He has two daughters with his former wife, the Duchess of York (Sarah Ferguson); Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Prince Andrew stepped down as a "working Royal" in 2019 after a controversial Newsnight interview about allegations that he had sexually assaulted Virginia Giuffre. In February he paid an undisclosed sum to settle the civil sexual assault case brought against him in the US by Ms Giuffre.
Where do members of the Royal Family live?Where do members of the Royal Family live?
The Queen's official London residence is Buckingham Palace. However, in March 2022, it was reported that Windsor Castle in Berkshire would become her permanent home.The Queen's official London residence is Buckingham Palace. However, in March 2022, it was reported that Windsor Castle in Berkshire would become her permanent home.
The Queen's other properties include Sandringham House in Norfolk and Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire.The Queen's other properties include Sandringham House in Norfolk and Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire.
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall live in Clarence House in London and at Highgrove in Gloucestershire.Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall live in Clarence House in London and at Highgrove in Gloucestershire.
Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge live in Kensington Palace in London. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle live in California.Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge live in Kensington Palace in London. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle live in California.