Queen Victoria (r.1837-1901) belonged to the House of Hanover(see George I). She died in 1901 and an age died with her. She had reigned for sixty-four years and the Victorian Age was an age of social, economic and political reforms but also an age of strict moralism. Her son Edward VII reigned from 1901 to 1910 and introduced new reforms. He died in 1910 succeeded by his son George V(1910-1936). The age that followed was a moderate age which saw the terrible outbreak of the first world war (1914-1918) which lasted four years.
After the Germans invaded Belgium, England declared war on Germany and George V changed his German name of Hanover to the purely English name of Windsor. When he died in 1936 he was succeeded by his son Edward VIII(1936) who abdicated after three months to marry the divorced American lady Mrs Wallis Simpson. His brother George VI(1936-1952) became king and ruled during the years of the second world war. He died in 1952 and was succeeded by his elder daughter, Elisabeth II, married to Philip Duke of Edinburgh, that is the present Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Queen Elisabeth II was born in 1926 and had married Philip Mountbatten (of Greece) in 1947. Their first son Charles was born in 1948, a daughter Anne in 1950, a second son, Andrew, in 1960 and a third son, Edward, in 1964. Prince Charles is the heir to the throne.
Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer on 29 July 1981 at St Paul's Cathedral. They made their homes at Highgrove House and Kensington Palace. The couple had two children: Princes William, born 21 June 1982 and Henry, born 15 September 1984.
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Watch Queen Elizabeth II giving the Olympic speech at the Olympic Heads of Government Reception, 27 July 2012
Read the text of the speech
On the occasion of the opening of the London 2012 Olympic Games, Prince Philip and I would like to extend a very warm welcome to you all.
(...) Over recent months, many in these islands have watched with growing excitement the journey of the Olympic Torch around the United Kingdom. As the Torch has passed through villages and towns it has drawn people together as families and communities. To me, this spirit of togetherness is a most important part of the Olympic ideal; and the British people can be proud of the part they have played in keeping the spirit alive. Many sports played in these Games have their historic roots in this country; and as a nation we have an abiding passion for sport, as well as a tradition of fair play and a good-natured sense of fun.
In all our national Olympics teams there is so much of which we can be proud: groups of young men and women dedicated to excellence and achievement across numerous sporting disciplines. And these teams are ably supported by thousands of organisers, volunteers, and supporters who will be following the action not just at the Olympic venues here in the United Kingdom but throughout the world.
For all these reasons, I wish you and your countries a successful, enjoyable and memorable Games.
Watch some key moments from Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding.
Prince William takes the ring, places it upon the fourth finger of Catherine’s left hand and says: With this ring I thee wed; with my body I thee honour; and all my worldly goods with thee I share: in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
