The British royal family, known officially as the House of Windsor, has a long and storied history. The family's last name has changed several times over the centuries, but they have been known as the Windsors since 1917. In this article, we will explore the origins of the family name, the reasons for its changes, and some of the most notable members of the royal family.
The earliest known royal family in England was the House of Wessex, which ruled from the 9th to the 11th centuries. The name "Wessex" comes from the Old English words "West" and "Seaxe", meaning "the land of the West Saxons". After the Norman Conquest of 1066, the Norman family took over the English throne and became known as the House of Normandy. The name "Normandy" comes from the Old Norse words "Norðr" and "manni", meaning "the land of the northmen".
The House of Normandy ruled England for over two centuries, but in 1154, the throne passed to the House of Plantagenet. The name "Plantagenet" comes from the Latin word "planta genista", meaning "broom plant". The Plantagenets ruled England for over 300 years, during which time they played a major role in the Hundred Years' War and the Wars of the Roses.
What is the Royals' Last Name
The British royal family's last name has changed several times over the centuries, but they have been known as the Windsors since 1917.
- House of Wessex: Earliest known royal family in England.
- House of Normandy: Ruled England after the Norman Conquest.
- House of Plantagenet: Ruled England for over 300 years.
- House of Lancaster: Branch of the Plantagenets.
- House of York: Rival branch of the Plantagenets.
- House of Tudor: United the Houses of Lancaster and York.
- House of Stuart: Ruled England, Scotland, and Ireland.
- House of Hanover: Came to power after the Glorious Revolution.
- House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha: Changed name to Windsor during World War I.
- House of Windsor: Current ruling family of the United Kingdom.
The royal family's last name is a symbol of their long and storied history, and it is likely to remain the Windsor for many years to come.
House of Wessex: Earliest known royal family in England.
The House of Wessex was the first royal family to rule over a unified England. They ruled from the 9th to the 11th centuries, and their reign saw the emergence of England as a major power in Europe.
- Alfred the Great:
Alfred the Great was one of the most important kings of the House of Wessex. He ruled from 871 to 899 and is credited with saving England from the Vikings. He was also a great scholar and lawgiver.
- Athelstan:
Athelstan was the first king of all England. He ruled from 925 to 939 and united the kingdoms of Wessex, Mercia, and Northumbria under his rule. He was also a successful military leader and expanded the borders of England.
- Edgar the Peaceful:
Edgar the Peaceful ruled from 959 to 975 and is known for his piety and his promotion of peace and justice. He was also a great patron of the arts and culture.
- Harold Godwinson:
Harold Godwinson was the last king of the House of Wessex. He ruled for only nine months in 1066 before he was defeated by William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings. His death marked the end of the House of Wessex and the beginning of Norman rule in England.
The House of Wessex played a major role in the history of England. They helped to unite the country and establish it as a major power in Europe. They also left behind a legacy of great kings and queens who are still remembered today.
House of Normandy: Ruled England after the Norman Conquest.
The House of Normandy was a powerful family that ruled England from 1066 to 1154. They came to power after William the Conqueror defeated Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The Normans brought with them their own language, culture, and laws, which had a profound impact on English history.
- William the Conqueror:
William the Conqueror was the first Norman king of England. He ruled from 1066 to 1087 and is known for his ruthless and effective rule. He ordered the compilation of the Domesday Book, a great survey of England that recorded the landholdings of all the major landowners.
- Henry I:
Henry I was the youngest son of William the Conqueror. He ruled from 1100 to 1135 and is known for his administrative reforms and his promotion of justice. He also founded the Exchequer, a financial department that is still in operation today.
- Henry II:
Henry II was the grandson of Henry I. He ruled from 1154 to 1189 and is considered one of the greatest kings of England. He expanded the Angevin Empire, which included England, Normandy, and much of France. He was also a patron of the arts and culture.
- Richard I:
Richard I was the son of Henry II. He ruled from 1189 to 1199 and is known as Richard the Lionheart. He was a great military leader and fought in the Third Crusade. He is also a popular figure in English folklore.
The House of Normandy played a major role in the history of England. They introduced many new ideas and institutions that helped to shape the country. They also left behind a legacy of great kings and queens who are still remembered today.
House of Plantagenet: Ruled England for over 300 years.
The House of Plantagenet was one of the most powerful and longest-reigning dynasties in English history. They ruled England from 1154 to 1485, a period of over 300 years. The Plantagenets were descended from Geoffrey Plantagenet, Count of Anjou, and Matilda, the daughter of Henry I of England. They brought with them a rich cultural heritage and a strong claim to the English throne.
- Henry II:
Henry II was the first Plantagenet king of England. He ruled from 1154 to 1189 and is known for his administrative reforms and his expansion of the Angevin Empire. He was also a patron of the arts and culture.
- Richard I:
Richard I was the son of Henry II. He ruled from 1189 to 1199 and is known as Richard the Lionheart. He was a great military leader and fought in the Third Crusade. He is also a popular figure in English folklore.
- John:
John was the youngest son of Henry II. He ruled from 1199 to 1216 and is known for his unpopular reign. He lost Normandy to the French and was forced to sign the Magna Carta, which limited the power of the monarchy.
- Henry III:
Henry III was the son of John. He ruled from 1216 to 1272 and is known for his piety and his patronage of the arts. He also founded the Palace of Westminster, which is still the seat of the British Parliament.
The House of Plantagenet played a major role in the history of England. They introduced many new ideas and institutions that helped to shape the country. They also left behind a legacy of great kings and queens who are still remembered today.
House of Lancaster: Branch of the Plantagenets.
The House of Lancaster was a branch of the Plantagenet dynasty that ruled England from 1399 to 1461. They were descended from John of Gaunt, the fourth son of King Edward III. The Lancastrians came to power after the deposition of King Richard II, who was the last king of the House of York. The Lancastrians were staunch Catholics and supporters of the Church of England.
The first Lancastrian king was Henry IV, who ruled from 1399 to 1413. He was a strong and effective ruler who restored order to England after the chaos of Richard II's reign. He also defeated the Welsh rebel Owen Glendower and the French at the Battle of Agincourt.
Henry IV was succeeded by his son, Henry V, who ruled from 1413 to 1422. Henry V was a brilliant military leader who led the English to victory at the Battle of Agincourt. He also conquered Normandy and much of France. Henry V died young, at the age of 35, and was succeeded by his infant son, Henry VI.
Henry VI was a weak and ineffectual ruler. He was unable to maintain control over England and France, and he was eventually deposed by Edward IV of the House of York. The Lancastrians were defeated at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, and Henry VI was killed. The House of Lancaster was thus extinguished, and the House of York came to the throne.
The House of Lancaster was a short-lived but significant dynasty in English history. They were strong supporters of the Church of England and played a major role in the Hundred Years' War. The Lancastrians also left behind a legacy of great kings, such as Henry IV and Henry V, who are still remembered today.
House of York: Rival branch of the Plantagenets.
The House of York was a branch of the Plantagenet dynasty that ruled England from 1461 to 1485. They were descended from Richard, Duke of York, who was the third son of Richard, Earl of Cambridge. The Yorks were rivals to the Lancastrians, another branch of the Plantagenets, and the two families fought a series of civil wars known as the Wars of the Roses.
- Edward IV:
Edward IV was the first Yorkist king of England. He ruled from 1461 to 1470 and again from 1471 to 1483. Edward IV was a strong and effective ruler who defeated the Lancastrians at the Battle of Towton. He also married Elizabeth Woodville, a commoner, which caused a great deal of controversy.
- Edward V:
Edward V was the son of Edward IV. He was only 12 years old when he became king in 1483. Edward V was never crowned, however, as he was deposed by his uncle, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, who became King Richard III.
- Richard III:
Richard III was the last Yorkist king of England. He ruled from 1483 to 1485. Richard III was a controversial figure who is often portrayed as a villain. He was defeated by Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond, at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. Richard III was killed in the battle, and the House of York came to an end.
- Elizabeth of York:
Elizabeth of York was the daughter of Edward IV. She married Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond, after the Battle of Bosworth Field. Their marriage united the Houses of York and Lancaster and ended the Wars of the Roses. Elizabeth of York is the ancestor of all subsequent English monarchs.
The House of York was a short-lived but significant dynasty in English history. They played a major role in the Wars of the Roses and left behind a legacy of great kings, such as Edward IV and Richard III. The House of York also produced Elizabeth of York, who married Henry Tudor and united the two rival branches of the Plantagenet dynasty.
House of Tudor: United the Houses of Lancaster and York.
The House of Tudor was a royal dynasty that ruled England and Wales from 1485 to 1603. They were descended from Owen Tudor, a Welsh nobleman, and Catherine of Valois, the widow of King Henry V. The Tudors united the Houses of Lancaster and York through the marriage of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York, thus ending the Wars of the Roses.
Henry VII was a strong and effective ruler who restored order to England after the chaos of the Wars of the Roses. He also defeated the pretender Lambert Simnel and Perkin Warbeck, who both claimed to be the rightful heir to the throne. Henry VII's reign saw the rise of the English navy and the beginning of England's exploration of the New World.
Henry VII was succeeded by his son, Henry VIII, who ruled from 1509 to 1547. Henry VIII is best known for his six wives and his break with the Catholic Church. He also dissolved the monasteries and established the Church of England. Henry VIII's reign was a time of great religious and political upheaval, but it also saw the flowering of the English Renaissance.
Henry VIII was succeeded by his son, Edward VI, who ruled from 1547 to 1553. Edward VI was a devout Protestant who continued his father's reforms of the Church of England. He also founded many schools and hospitals. Edward VI died young, at the age of 15, and was succeeded by his half-sister, Mary I.
The House of Tudor was a significant dynasty in English history. They united the Houses of Lancaster and York, ending the Wars of the Roses. They also oversaw the English Reformation and the beginning of England's global empire. The Tudors left behind a legacy of great monarchs, such as Henry VII, Henry VIII, and Elizabeth I, who are still remembered today.
House of Stuart: Ruled England, Scotland, and Ireland.
The House of Stuart was a royal dynasty that ruled England, Scotland, and Ireland from 1603 to 1714. They were descended from James VI of Scotland, who became James I of England after the death of Elizabeth I. The Stuarts were a controversial dynasty, and their reign was marked by religious and political conflict.
- James I:
James I was the first Stuart king of England. He ruled from 1603 to 1625. James I was a strong believer in the divine right of kings and clashed with Parliament over his attempts to increase his power. He also authorized the translation of the Bible into English, which became known as the King James Bible.
- Charles I:
Charles I was the son of James I. He ruled from 1625 to 1649. Charles I was even more autocratic than his father and his reign was marked by conflict with Parliament. He also attempted to impose Anglicanism on Scotland, which led to the Bishops' Wars. Charles I was eventually defeated by Parliament in the English Civil War and was executed in 1649.
- The Commonwealth:
After the execution of Charles I, England was ruled by a republic known as the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth was led by Oliver Cromwell, who was a Puritan and a strong supporter of Parliament. The Commonwealth was a time of great religious and political upheaval, but it also saw the flowering of English literature and art.
- Charles II:
Charles II was the son of Charles I. He was restored to the throne in 1660 after the death of Cromwell. Charles II was a popular monarch who is known for his wit and charm. He also oversaw the rebuilding of London after the Great Fire of 1666.
The House of Stuart was a significant dynasty in British history. They ruled England, Scotland, and Ireland for over a century and left behind a legacy of great monarchs, such as Elizabeth I and James I. The Stuarts also played a major role in the English Civil War and the Glorious Revolution. Their reign was a time of great change and upheaval, but it also saw the rise of the British Empire and the flowering of English culture.
House of Hanover: Came to power after the Glorious Revolution.
The House of Hanover was a royal dynasty that ruled Great Britain and Ireland from 1714 to 1901. They were descended from Sophia, Electress of Hanover, who was the granddaughter of James I of England. The Hanovers came to power after the Glorious Revolution of 1688, which deposed King James II and his Catholic heirs.
- George I:
George I was the first Hanoverian king of Great Britain. He ruled from 1714 to 1727. George I was a German prince who spoke little English. He was not a popular monarch, but he did oversee the defeat of the Jacobite rebellion of 1715.
- George II:
George II was the son of George I. He ruled from 1727 to 1760. George II was a more popular monarch than his father. He led Great Britain to victory in the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Years' War. He also founded the Royal Academy of Arts.
- George III:
George III was the grandson of George II. He ruled from 1760 to 1820. George III is best known for his long reign and his struggles with mental illness. He also oversaw the American Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars.
- George IV:
George IV was the son of George III. He ruled from 1820 to 1830. George IV was a flamboyant and extravagant monarch. He is best known for his lavish lifestyle and his marriage to Caroline of Brunswick, which was later annulled.
The House of Hanover was a significant dynasty in British history. They ruled Great Britain and Ireland for over a century and left behind a legacy of great monarchs, such as George II and George III. The Hanovers also played a major role in the American Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. Their reign was a time of great change and upheaval, but it also saw the rise of the British Empire and the flowering of British culture.
House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha: Changed name to Windsor during World War I.
The House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha was a royal dynasty that ruled the United Kingdom and the British Empire from 1837 to 1917. They were descended from Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria. The Saxe-Coburg and Gothas were a German family, and their name was unpopular in Britain during World War I.
- Queen Victoria:
Queen Victoria was the first monarch of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. She ruled from 1837 to 1901. Victoria was a popular and long-reigning monarch who is known for her marriage to Prince Albert and her role in the expansion of the British Empire.
- Edward VII:
Edward VII was the son of Queen Victoria. He ruled from 1901 to 1910. Edward VII was a popular monarch who is known for his love of horses and his role in promoting British foreign policy.
- George V:
George V was the son of Edward VII. He ruled from 1910 to 1936. George V is best known for his role in leading Britain through World War I and for changing the royal family's name to Windsor.
- Edward VIII:
Edward VIII was the son of George V. He ruled for only 326 days in 1936. Edward VIII is best known for his abdication, which was caused by his desire to marry Wallis Simpson, an American divorcée.
The House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha was a significant dynasty in British history. They ruled the United Kingdom and the British Empire for over a century and left behind a legacy of great monarchs, such as Queen Victoria and George V. The Saxe-Coburg and Gothas also played a major role in World War I and the abdication of Edward VIII.
House of Windsor: Current ruling family of the United Kingdom.
The House of Windsor is the current ruling family of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms. They are descended from Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria. The name Windsor was adopted in 1917, during World War I, to replace the German name Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.
The first monarch of the House of Windsor was King George V, who ruled from 1910 to 1936. He was succeeded by his son, King Edward VIII, who abdicated in 1936 after less than a year on the throne. Edward VIII was succeeded by his brother, King George VI, who ruled from 1936 to 1952. George VI was succeeded by his daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, who has reigned since 1952.
Queen Elizabeth II is the longest-reigning monarch in British history. She is also the head of the Commonwealth, a group of 54 independent countries that were once part of the British Empire. Queen Elizabeth II is a popular and respected figure, and she is known for her sense of duty and her commitment to public service.
The House of Windsor is a significant dynasty in British history. They have ruled the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms for over a century and have played a major role in world events. The Windsors are a symbol of stability and continuity, and they are likely to continue to reign for many years to come.
The House of Windsor is a relatively new dynasty, but it has already left a lasting mark on British history. The Windsors have overseen a period of great change and upheaval, including two world wars and the decolonization of the British Empire. They have also been instrumental in promoting peace and understanding around the world.
FAQ
What is the royal family's last name?
The royal family's last name is Windsor.
Question: Why did the royal family change their name to Windsor?
Answer: The royal family changed their name to Windsor in 1917, during World War I. They did this to distance themselves from their German roots, as anti-German sentiment was strong in Britain at the time.
Question: What was the royal family's last name before Windsor?
Answer: The royal family's last name before Windsor was Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.
Question: How long has the House of Windsor been the ruling family of the United Kingdom?
Answer: The House of Windsor has been the ruling family of the United Kingdom since 1917.
Question: Who is the current monarch of the United Kingdom?
Answer: The current monarch of the United Kingdom is Queen Elizabeth II.
Question: How long has Queen Elizabeth II been reigning?
Answer: Queen Elizabeth II has been reigning since 1952, making her the longest-reigning monarch in British history.
Question: What are the other Commonwealth realms?
Answer: The other Commonwealth realms are Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu.
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These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about the royal family's last name. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.
Tips for Visitors to the United Kingdom
Tips
Tips for Visitors to the United Kingdom
If you are planning a visit to the United Kingdom, here are a few tips to help you make the most of your trip:
Tip 1: Learn Some Basic British English
While most people in the UK speak English, there are some differences between British English and American English. It is helpful to learn some basic British English phrases and expressions before you go.
Tip 2: Be Prepared for the Weather
The weather in the UK can be unpredictable, so it is important to be prepared for rain, wind, and even snow. Pack a variety of clothing so that you can dress appropriately for the weather conditions.
Tip 3: Visit the Royal Palaces
The UK is home to many beautiful royal palaces, including Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, and the Tower of London. These palaces are open to the public and offer a fascinating glimpse into the history of the British monarchy.
Tip 4: Try Some Traditional British Food
British cuisine is known for its hearty and flavorful dishes. Some popular British dishes include fish and chips, bangers and mash, and shepherd's pie. Be sure to try some traditional British food while you are in the UK.
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These are just a few tips to help you make the most of your visit to the United Kingdom. With its rich history, beautiful scenery, and friendly people, the UK is a great place to visit.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Summary of Main Points
The British royal family has a long and storied history. They have ruled England, and later the United Kingdom, for over a thousand years. The royal family's last name has changed several times over the centuries, but they have been known as the Windsors since 1917.
The current monarch of the United Kingdom is Queen Elizabeth II. She is the longest-reigning monarch in British history and is also the head of the Commonwealth, a group of 54 independent countries that were once part of the British Empire.
The royal family is a symbol of stability and continuity in the United Kingdom. They play an important role in promoting British culture and values around the world. The royal family is also a major tourist attraction, and millions of people visit the United Kingdom each year to see the royal palaces and other historic sites.
Closing Message
The British royal family is a fascinating and complex institution. They have played a major role in world history, and they continue to be a source of interest and intrigue for people all over the world. Whether you are a fan of the monarchy or not, there is no denying that the royal family is an important part of British culture and history.