This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56201331

The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
UK Royal Family: Who is in it and how does it work? UK Royal Family: Who is in it and how does it work?
(7 months later)
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, has died aged 99. Celebrations are being planned to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee next year.
He had been married to the Queen for 73 years and was the longest serving royal consort in British history. In February, the Queen will become the first British monarch to reach 70 years on the throne, with commemoration events planned over a four-day Bank Holiday weekend in June.
Who is in the Royal Family?Who is in the Royal Family?
Queen Elizabeth II has been the UK's head of state since 1952 when her father King George VI died. She has ruled for longer than any other British monarch. She is also the head of state for 15 other Commonwealth countries. 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 other Commonwealth countries.
The 94-year-old monarch and her late husband, Prince Philip, have four children, eight grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. Pageant and parties for Queen's Platinum Jubilee
The 95-year-old monarch has four children, eight grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren with her late husband, Prince Philip, who died in April.
Princess Elizabeth married Prince Philip in 1947Princess Elizabeth married Prince Philip in 1947
Other members of the Royal Family include:Other members of the Royal Family include:
The Prince of Wales (Prince Charles), 72, who is married to the Duchess of Cornwall (Camilla) - he is the Queen's eldest child and will become king when she dies The Prince of Wales (Prince Charles), who is married to the Duchess of Cornwall (Camilla) - he is the Queen's eldest child and will become king when she dies
The Duke of Cambridge (Prince William) who is married to the Duchess of Cambridge (Catherine) - William is the eldest son of the Prince of Wales and Diana, Princess of WalesThe Duke of Cambridge (Prince William) who is married to the Duchess of Cambridge (Catherine) - William is the eldest son of the Prince of Wales and Diana, Princess of Wales
The Duke of Sussex (Prince Harry) is William's brother - he is married to the Duchess of Sussex (Meghan); last year, they said they would step back as senior royals and now live in Los Angeles The Duke of Sussex (Prince Harry) is William's brother - he is married to the Duchess of Sussex (Meghan); last year, they said they would step back as senior royals
How do you become a royal? What is a monarchy and how does succession work?
Someone who marries a royal becomes a member of the Royal Family, and they are given a title when they marry. In a monarchy, a king or queen (the monarch) is the head of state. In the UK, we have something called a constitutional monarchy - the Queen is head of state, but does not get involved in politics, and laws are made by the Houses of Parliament.
For example, Lady Diana Spencer became Princess of Wales when she married Prince Charles in 1981. The order of succession is the line in which members of the Royal Family stand to take over as the monarch when the existing one dies or abdicates (steps down from the throne).
However, to become the monarch, you must have been born into the Royal Family. Members of the Royal Family celebrated the Queen's official birthday at Buckingham Palace in 2019.
Prince Charles is first in line to the throne. His eldest son Prince William, is second in line, and William's eldest son, Prince George, is third. First in the line - the heir to the throne - is the monarch's first-born child.
HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, 1921-2021 Royal succession is governed by rules dating back hundreds of years. These were amended in 2013 so that royal sons no longer take precedence over their older sisters in the order.
Obituary: HRH the Duke of Edinburgh Prince Charles is first in line to the throne. His eldest son, Prince William, is second in line, and William's eldest child, Prince George, is third.
An extraordinary man who led an extraordinary life Royal Family tree and line of succession
Prince Philip: A life in pictures What happens at a coronation?
What happens at royal weddings? If a monarch dies, the heir to the throne becomes king or queen immediately.
Royal weddings often take place at some of the oldest and grandest places, and attract huge crowds. The coronation, a glittering ceremony at which the monarch is formally crowned, takes place later, following careful planning and after a period of mourning for the previous king or queen.
The Queen and Prince Philip were married in 1947 at Westminster Abbey, which was founded in 960 AD and is next door to the Houses of Parliament. The main elements of the occasion have remained largely unchanged for a millennium.
More than six decades later, in 2011, crowds lined the streets outside the Abbey to celebrate the marriage of her grandson William, to Catherine Middleton. They became the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. More than 20 million people watched the Queen's coronation on television on 2 June 1953.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge travelled in a carriage from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace 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.
Other royals have exchanged vows at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, which is more than 900 years old. What powers does the Queen have?
The weddings there include Prince Harry's to Meghan Markle in 2018. Although the United Kingdom is a monarchy, the Queen's power is strictly symbolic and ceremonial, and she is expected to remain politically neutral.
What about when there is a royal baby? Among the powers she has are:
A number of senior royals have been born at St Mary's Hospital in London. Appointing a government - the leader of the winning party in a general election is invited to Buckingham Palace, where the Queen formally invites him or her to form a new government (she will also formally dissolve a government before a general election)
Princess Diana gave birth to Prince William and Prince Harry there, and the Duchess of Cambridge her three children: Prince George, seven, Princess Charlotte, five, and Prince Louis, two. State opening and the Queen's Speech - the Queen starts the Parliamentary year with the State Opening Ceremony, during which she will read out the government's policy ideas and plans, in a speech delivered from the throne in the House of Lords
Both women were photographed with their husbands and babies outside the hospital. Royal Assent - when a piece of legislation is passed through Parliament, it must be formally agreed to by the Queen in order to become law (the last time Royal Assent was refused was in 1708)
Prince William was born in 1982 What else does the royal family do?
What does the Royal Family do?
The British government is called Her Majesty's government, but the Queen has almost no political power.
The Queen meets with the prime minister once a week, as a reminder of her place in government, but the prime minister doesn't seek her approval for policies.
The Queen and other senior royals carry out official engagements.The Queen and other senior royals carry out official engagements.
Family members also represent her in visits to other countries. For example, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge carried out an official visit to the Republic of Ireland last March. Family members also represent her in visits to other countries.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met Irish President Michael D Higgins at his residence during their visit to the Republic of Ireland Many are patrons for charities, and some have established their own - such as the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme for young people, founded by Prince Philip.
Many are patrons for charities, and some have established their own - such as the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme for young people.
They have close ties to the armed forces. Prince William served in the Royal Air Force and Prince Harry served in the Army.They have close ties to the armed forces. Prince William served in the Royal Air Force and Prince Harry served in the Army.
Prince Harry served in AfghanistanPrince Harry served in Afghanistan
Do royals always carry out official duties?
No. Last year, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, announced they would step back and work to become financially independent.
Buckingham Palace confirmed the couple will return their honorary military appointments and royal patronages, which will be redistributed to working members of the Royal Family.
Where do Harry and Meghan get their money?
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex now live in the US with their son
The Duke of York (Prince Andrew) stepped away from royal duties in 2019.
This was after an interview he gave to the BBC about his friendship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Where does the Royal Family get its money?Where does the Royal Family get its money?
Every year, the UK government gives the Queen a single payment called the Sovereign Grant.Every year, the UK government gives the Queen a single payment called the Sovereign Grant.
This is based on 25% of the Crown Estate's revenue from two years previously. The Crown Estate is an independent commercial property business. It includes the 4,800-acre Windsor Great Park and the Ascot racecourse in Berkshire, but is mostly made up of residential and commercial property.This is based on 25% of the Crown Estate's revenue from two years previously. The Crown Estate is an independent commercial property business. It includes the 4,800-acre Windsor Great Park and the Ascot racecourse in Berkshire, but is mostly made up of residential and commercial property.
The Sovereign Grant, which is £85.9m for 2020-21, supports official royal duties and maintains occupied royal palaces.The Sovereign Grant, which is £85.9m for 2020-21, supports official royal duties and maintains occupied royal palaces.
Prince Charles receives an income from the Duchy of Cornwall, a vast portfolio of property and financial investments, which brought in £22.3m last year. Prince Charles receives an income from the Duchy of Cornwall, a vast portfolio of property and financial investments, which brought in £20.4m last year.
How do you become a royal?
Someone who marries a royal becomes a member of the Royal Family, and they are given a title when they marry.
For example, Lady Diana Spencer became Princess of Wales when she married Prince Charles in 1981.
However, to become the monarch, you must have been born into the Royal Family.
Where do members of the Royal Family live?Where do members of the Royal Family live?
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 Queen's official London home is Buckingham Palace.The Queen's official London home is Buckingham Palace.
She usually spends weekends and a month over Easter at Windsor Castle in Berkshire. However, she has lived there throughout the pandemic, and it was at Windsor Castle where Prince Philip died. She usually spends weekends and a month over Easter at Windsor Castle in Berkshire. However, she has lived there throughout the pandemic.
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall live in Clarence House - less than half a mile from Buckingham Palace - when they are in London.Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall live in Clarence House - less than half a mile from Buckingham Palace - when they are in London.
Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, also live nearby - in Kensington Palace. Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, also live nearby - in Kensington Palace. Prince Harry and Meghan live in California.