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British monarchy is the sovereign head of the United Kingdom. The British monarch is the Head of Commonwealth. According to conventions the British monarch’s powers are exercised upon the advice of the Prime Minister. However, there are certain powers reserved for the British monarch, which can be exercised at his or her own discretion. The present British Monarch is Queen Elizabeth II who has reigned since February 6, 1952.
The history of British monarchy dates back to the Anglo-Saxon age, with Alfred the Great being the first one to clearly define the boundaries of the Saxon speaking England from the Danish areas, popularly known as Danelaw. The Anglo-Saxon kings to follow him worked earnestly towards unifying the English realm. The Anglo Saxon age came to an end with William, the Duke of Normandy conquering England in 1066 and becoming the monarch of kingdom. It was probably the strongest royal authority in Europe. William I was succeeded by two of his sons William II and Henry I. The Normans were followed by the mighty Plantagenet dynasty. The two dynastic lines to emerge out of the House of the Plantagenet who ruled England were the Houses of Lancaster and York respectively. which ruled England thereafter. Their rivalry resulted in the War of Roses. The end of the War of the Roses formed a turning point in the history of British monarchy. It established the reign of Tudor monarchs, and the beginning of the rule of the Tudor King Henry VII. He transformed the British monarchy into one of the most powerful powers of Europe.
Queen Elizabeth II is the present British monarch who has been reigning since 1952. She has established herself as a capable administrator and has reigned for forty six years. Elizabeth II is the eldest daughter of George VI and Elizabeth Bowes Lyon. She married her distant cousin Philip Mountbatten in 1947. Queen Elizabeth has four children. Prince Charles, who is the Prince of Wales, Anne, Andrew and Edward.
Queen Victoria ruled England from 1837 to 1901. Born of May 24th 1819, she was the only daughter of Edward, Duke of Kent. She became the Queen of England at the age of 18, after the death of William IV. Britain experienced a great age of industrial expansion, economic progress during her reign. Her Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne and her husband Prince Albert were her friend philosopher and guide. She had nine children, who have been married into the royal families of Europe.
Prince William of Wales is the eldest son of Charles the Price of Wales and Diana, Princess of Wales. He is second in the line of succession to the British throne and also the throne of the Commonwealth Realm. As a grandson of Queen Elizabeth II he is a member of the British Royal family. He is serving as a Cornet in the Blues and Royals regiment of the British army's Household Cavalry. He is known as Cornet William Wales in his regiment.
The Buckingham Palace has served as the official residence of the British monarchs in London since 1837. It is the Queen's official residence. The palatial building has 775 rooms. Some areas of the palace are open to the visitors. The palace is plush with lavish furnishings and contains some priceless and valuable collection.
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