The Windsor House – Royal Family Tree And Charles III Coronation.
Table of Contents
In 1917, King George V proclaimed that the official name of the British Royal Family would be the House of Windsor, replacing the older name of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. Since then, the House of Windsor has remained the family name of the present Royal Family.
During the past 90 years, the monarchy has also modernised as society has undergone numerous changes. One of how it has done so is by utilizing mass communication technologies to make the Royal Family more widely accessible to people around the globe.
Throughout history, British monarchs have also been instrumental in fostering international relationships. As the Head of the Commonwealth, the Queen maintains strong connections with former colonies.
For centuries, the British monarchy has been a source of global fascination, capturing people’s attention worldwide and dominating the headlines of numerous newspapers. Living in the public eye and facing constant scrutiny, the royal family has continued to captivate the public with events such as coronations, royal weddings, birth announcements, and a few scandals.
Recently, the family has experienced the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, who reigned for a record-breaking period, and the departure of Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, from their senior royal positions, causing significant upheaval.
King Charles III
The present ruler of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth nations is King Charles III. He was the firstborn child of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and Queen Elizabeth II, born in London in 1948. When King George VI, Elizabeth’s father, became ill and died in 1952, she became queen at 25.
Charles was only 4 years old when he attended his mother’s coronation at Westminster Abbey in London on June 2, 1953. In 1969, the queen granted Charles the title of Prince of Wales and other royal titles.
This was after he completed a term at the University College of Wales in Aberystwyth, where he learned to speak Welsh. Charles got married to Lady Diana Spencer in 1981, and she became the Princess of Wales. They had two sons, William and Harry, but their marriage was dissolved in 1996. Sadly, Diana died in a Paris car accident a year later.
In 1994, Jonathan Dimbleby’s authorized biography of Charles, titled “Prince of Wales,” revealed that Charles was not in love with Diana and felt pressured by his father to marry her. The book also disclosed that Charles had started an affair with Camilla in 1986, whom he had met several years earlier at a polo match.
On September 8, 2022, Charles became king after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history. She passed away at 96 in Balmoral Castle, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, just over a year after her husband’s death at the age of 99 in Windsor Castle, Berkshire, on April 9, 2021.
King Charles III Coronation
As per his mother’s request, Charles and Camilla are scheduled to be crowned together at Westminster Abbey in London on May 6. Camilla is set to assume the title of queen consort, which is given to the wife of a reigning king.
Camilla, Queen Consort
Camilla Rosemary Shand, born in London in 1947, spent her childhood at her family’s homes in East Sussex and South Kensington. She married British Army officer Andrew Parker Bowles in 1973, and the couple had a son and daughter before their divorce in 1995.
Camilla became a member of the British royal family in 2005 when she married Charles, then-Prince of Wales, and was granted the title of Duchess. The couple had been close friends for years before their romantic involvement.
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Charles ascended to the throne in 2022, and Camilla was given the title of queen consort at Elizabeth’s request. They will be crowned together on May 6 at Westminster Abbey in London.
Anne, Princess Royal
The Princess Royal, also known as Anne, is the Queen’s second child and only daughter. She was born in London in 1950 and is 16th in line to the throne. Anne is renowned for her passion for horses and even competed in the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games as part of the British equestrian team.
In 1987, Queen Elizabeth II bestowed upon her daughter the prestigious title of Princess Royal. Anne was previously married to Captain Mark Phillips, with whom she had two children, Peter and Zara. However, the couple’s marriage came to an end in 1992. Later that same year, Anne married Admiral Timothy Laurence.
Prince Andrew, Duke of York
Born in London in 1960, Prince Andrew is the second son and third child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. He’s currently placed eighth in the line of succession.
The queen bestowed the title of Duke of York after he married Sarah Ferguson in 1986. Together, they had two daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, before their divorce in 1996. Prince Andrew served in the Royal Navy from 1979 until his retirement 22 years later.
Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh
The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, was born in London in 1964 as the last child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. He’s currently positioned 13th in the line of succession to the throne.
When he married Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999, the queen granted him the title of Earl of Wessex. They have two children, Louise and James, who are now 15th and 14th in line to the throne.
Upon the demise of their parents and Charles’ coronation as king, Edward was designated the new Duke of Edinburgh on his 59th birthday in 2023. His son, James, succeeded his former title, Earl of Wessex.
The duke and his family reside in Bagshot Park in Berkshire.
William, Prince of Wales
Prince William, the oldest son of King Charles III and the late Princess Diana, was born in London in 1982 and is the heir apparent to the British throne. Unfortunately, William was only 15 years old when his mother died.
After completing his studies at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, the prince served in the British Armed Forces for almost eight years. Later, he trained as an air ambulance pilot and worked for East Anglian Air Ambulance from 2015 to 2017.
In 2011, William married Catherine Middleton, whom he met while studying at university. After their marriage, the couple received the titles Duke and Duchess of Cambridge from Queen Elizabeth II. Following the queen’s death in 2022, Charles became the king, and William and Catherine became the Prince and Princess of Wales.
The couple has three children, George, Charlotte, and Louis. They used to live at Kensington Palace in London but now reside in Adelaide Cottage, a four-bedroom cottage on Windsor Castle grounds.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
Prince Harry holds the title of Duke of Sussex and is fifth in line to the British throne. He was born in London in 1984 and is the younger son of Diana, the late Princess of Wales, and Charles, Prince of Wales.
When his mother passed away, Harry was just 12 years old.
The prince served for 10 years in the British Armed Forces and was sent on two deployments to Afghanistan. He retired from active service in 2015.
In 2018, Harry married Meghan Markle, an American actress, and was bestowed Duke of Sussex. The couple has two children, a son named Archie and a daughter named Lilibet.
On March 31, 2021, Harry and Meghan officially resigned as senior working members of the British royal family. They temporarily moved to Canada before settling down in California. Previously, they had been residing at Frogmore Cottage, located on the Windsor estate in Berkshire.
Catherine, Princess Of Wales
Catherine Middleton, also known as Kate, was born in 1982 in Reading to a family belonging to the upper middle class. She became a member of the British royal family after marrying Prince William in 2011 and was granted the title of Duchess.
The couple, now called the Prince and Princess of Wales, first encountered each other while studying at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. They have three children together: George, Charlotte, and Louis. The family’s current residence is Adelaide Cottage, located on the premises of Windsor Castle.
Meghan, Duchess Of Sussex
Born in Los Angeles, California, in 1981, Meghan Markle became a member of the British royal family and was made a duchess upon her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018.
Before becoming a royal, the future duchess graduated from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and pursued a career in acting. She was most known for her role in the American legal drama series “Suits.” She also ran a successful lifestyle blog called “The Tig.”
Meghan retired from her acting career, shuttered her blog and deleted all her social media accounts following the announcement of her engagement to Prince Harry, whom she first met on a blind date. The couple, now known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have a son, Archie, and a daughter, Lilibet.
Meghan was previously married to actor and producer Trevor Engelson. They divorced in 2013 after less than two years of marriage.
Harry and Meghan officially stepped down as senior working members of the British royal family on March 31, 2021. They moved their family to Canada temporarily before settling in California. They were previously living at Frogmore Cottage on the Windsor estate in Berkshire.
In a bombshell interview with American television host Oprah Winfrey that aired on CBS on March 12, 2021, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex alleged that Meghan was the victim of racism and callous treatment during her time as a working member of the British royal family. Buckingham Palace later said the allegations were “concerning” and would be “taken very seriously.”
Princess Beatrice of York
Princess Beatrice, the daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, was born in London in 1988 and is presently ninth in the line of succession to the British throne. She made history in 2010 by becoming the first member of the royal family to finish the London Marathon.
Beatrice completed her studies at Goldsmiths, University of London, in 2011 and has since pursued a full-time business career. She married British property developer Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in 2020, and they have a daughter named Sienna, who is currently tenth in line for the throne.
Princess Eugenie Of York
Princess Eugenie, the second daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, was born in London in 1990 and is presently eleventh in the line of succession to the British throne. She completed her studies at Newcastle University in northeast England in 2012 and currently works full-time in the field of art.
In 2018, Eugenie tied the knot with British bar manager Jack Brooksbank, and they have a son named August, who is currently twelfth in line for the throne.
Peter Phillips
Peter Phillips, the firstborn and only son of Anne, Princess Royal, and her former spouse, Capt. Mark Phillips was born in London in 1977. He is presently 17th in line to the British throne.
As the son of a male who doesn’t have a hereditary title, he was not given an official royal title or a courtesy title at birth, which are traditionally passed down through male heirs. The queen offered to provide both of the princess’s children courtesy titles, but they reportedly declined.
After completing his studies at the University of Exeter in 2000, Peter pursued a career in sports sponsorship and management.
In 2008, Peter married Autumn Kelly, a Canadian management consultant. The couple has two daughters, Savannah and Isla, who are currently 18th and 19th in line to the throne.
Zara Tindall
Zara Tindall is the daughter of Anne, Princess Royal, and her former spouse, Capt. Mark Phillips. She was born in London in 1981 and is the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Despite being part of the royal family, she was not granted an official or courtesy title at birth, as her parents reportedly declined the offer made by the queen.
After graduating from the University of Exeter, Zara pursued her passion for equestrian sports. She has represented Great Britain in several international competitions, including the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympic Games, where she won a silver medal.
Zara married English rugby union player Mike Tindall in 2011, and the couple has three children, Mia, Lena, and Lucas, who are currently 21st, 22nd, and 23rd in the line of succession to the throne.
Prince George Of Wales
Prince George of Wales, born in London in 2013, is the initial offspring of Prince William and his wife, Princess Catherine. He holds the second position in the line of succession to the throne, following his father. George presently resides with his parents and two siblings at Adelaide Cottage, located on the grounds of Windsor Castle.
Princess Charlotte Of Cambridge
Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, born in 2015, is the second offspring of Prince William and his wife, Princess Catherine. She was born in London and is currently third in line to the throne, following her father and older brother.
Charlotte’s residence is Adelaide Cottage, located on the grounds of Windsor Castle, where she lives with her parents and two siblings.
Prince Louis Of Cambridge
Prince Louis of Cambridge, who is fourth in line to the throne, was born in London in 2018 as the third child of William, Prince of Wales, and Catherine, Princess of Wales. He resides with his parents and two siblings at Adelaide Cottage on the grounds of Windsor Castle.
Prince Archie Of Sussex
Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor was born in London in 2019 as the first child of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. He is sixth in line to the throne and resides with his parents in California.
Archie’s surname, Mountbatten-Windsor, combines the surnames of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and Queen Elizabeth II. As a descendant of the queen, Archie inherited the surname without the title of prince or the style of His Royal Highness.
Buckingham Palace confirmed that Archie would not carry a courtesy title “at this time” after his birth and name were announced. However, upon the accession of Charles III, Archie will be able to use the title and style as the grandchild of the sovereign, following the royal rules established in 1917 by King George V, Elizabeth’s grandfather.
Princess Lilibet Of Sussex
Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor was born in Santa Barbara, California, in 2021 and is the second child of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. She is seventh in line to the throne and resides with her parents in California.
Although Lilibet wasn’t the first royal baby born in the United States, she was the first of Queen Elizabeth II‘s great-grandchildren to be born on American soil. Lilibet was named after her great-grandmother, affectionately known as Lilibet within the royal family.
Her middle name, Diana, was chosen to honour her late grandmother, Diana, Princess of Wales. According to a statement from the press secretary for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Lilibet will be entitled to use the title of princess and the style of Her Royal Highness upon the accession of Charles III, as she is the grandchild of the sovereign.