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Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
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| Her Majesty the Queen was born
in London on 21 April 1926, the first child of The Duke and Duchess
of York, who later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, later affectionately
styled, The Queen Mother. The Queen was christened Elizabeth Alexandra
Mary in the chapel at Buckingham Palace.
After the Royal Family returned from a royal
tour of South Africa, she became engaged to Lieutenant Philip
Mountbattenand the couple married in Westminster Abbey on 20 November
1947. Her Majesty's coronation took place in Westminster Abbey
on 2 June 1953.
As Head of State she maintains close contact
with the Prime Minister of the day with whom she shares a weekly
audience when she is in London. She reviews all Cabinet papers
and the records of Cabinet and Cabinet Committee meetings. Together
the Queen and Prince Philip have served the nation and commonwealth
and dedicated their lives to duty. She is the Queen is Patron
or President of over 700 organisations.
People often ask: "Will she ever retire
or abdicate?" For Her Majesty, this is simply not an option.
She took the coronation oath to serve her people and God and for
her duty will always come first. |
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HRH Prince Philip,
Duke of Edinburgh
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His Royal Highness Prince Philip,
Duke of Edinburgh was born Prince of Greece and Denmark in Corfu
on 10 June 1921, the only son of Prince Andrew of Greece. Despite
the popular nickname "Phil the Greek" his family is
of Danish descent - his father was the grandson of King Christian
IX of Denmark.
After school at Gordonstoun in 1939 he embarked
on his Royal Navy career. He became First Lieutenant in 1949
three years later was promoted to Commander. His naval career
came to a sudden end with the death of King George VI. But to
this day he remains to this day he continues his links with
the Services, particularly the Royal Navy. In 1952, he was appointed
Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps, Colonel-in-Chief of the Army
Cadet Force and Air Commodore-in-Chief of the Air Training Corps.
He is also Admiral of the Fleet and Field Marshal and Marshal
of the Royal Air Force. He is also Captain-General of the Royal
Marines.
Since The Queen came to the throne the Duke,
who is Patron or President of some 800 organisations, has played
a major role in public life with particular interest in scientific
and technological development. He also believes passionately
in the encouragement of sport, and the conservation, the environment
and young people. He joins the The Queen on all her State and
other foreign visits abroad and Britain. The media sometime
focuses on his famous gaffes, such was when he made his "slitty
eyes" remark in China. But in truth he is a remarkable
man with a razor sharp intellect and wit who has supported Her
Majesty the Queen throughout her long reign. |
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The Prince of Wales is the heir apparent to the British throne
and of other Commonwealth realms. The eldest son of The Queen
and The Duke of Edinburgh, he was born on 14 November, 1948
and christened Charles Philip Arthur George on 15 December
that year at Buckingham Palace.
He married his long term love, divorcee Mrs Camilla Parker
Bowles on 9 April 2005 at a civil ceremony at the Guildhall
in Windsor, followed by a service of prayer and dedication
in St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.
His first marriage to the late Diana, Princess of Wales was
dissolved a year before her tragic death in an accident at
the Alma Tunnel in Paris on 31st August 1997. From that troubled
marriage the Prince has two sons, Prince William and Prince
Harry. The Prince is a dedicated environmentalist and charity
patron with a keen interest in the promotion of young people.
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Formerly Mrs Camilla Parker Bowles, she is the former mistress
and long
term partner of Prince Charles. Princess Diana publicly
blamed her for the break-up of her marriage with the prince,
famously saying "it was a bit crowded" because
their were three people in the marriage. Her marriage to
Brigadier Andrew Parker Bowles, from which she has two children,
Tom and Laura, was dissolved after Charles admitted his
adultery on
television.
In truth, of course, Diana was conducting adulterous relationships
too and as the prince said their marriage had "irretrievably
broken down". But Camilla's and Charles's love has
proved enduring and in a story exclusively revealed by Jobson
Media director, Robert Jobson in the Evening Standard, the
news of their April marriage was revealed to the world.
After her marriage Mrs Parker Bowles became known as HRH
The Duchess of Cornwall. When The Prince of Wales accedes
to the throne, she will be known as HRH The Princess Consort.
However, some constitutional experts and Government spokesman
have said she will in reality be Queen Consort and is technically
The Princess of Wales.
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The Princess Royal, the second child and only daughter
of The Queen and
The Duke of Edinburgh, is often seen as our hardest working
royal, carrying out hundreds of official engagements every
year.
Born at Clarence House, London, on 15 August 1950, she
was known as
Princess Anne until 1987 when she received the prestigious
title Princess Royal from The Queen in June 1987. Known
for her no-nonsense style she is a tireless charity patron,
accomplished horsewoman, competing at Olympic level, and
witty public speaker.
Twice married, she has two children Peter and Zara Philips.
Both she and
their father, Mark, insisted their children did not receive
titles. She is now married to second husband Rear Admiral
Tim Laurence.
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The Duke of York was born on 19 February 1960 - the second
son and the third child of The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh
- was the first child to be born to a reigning monarch
for 103 years.
Known for his dashing good looks, the Royal navy hero,
who won praise for his role as a helicopter pilot in the
Falklands war, was dubbed "Randy Andy" by the
tabloid press. Often seen out with glamorous women, such
as ex-girlfriend actress Koo Stark, he enjoyed celebrity
status.
When he married Sarah Ferguson he was given the title
Duke of York. Sadly, their marriage, which produced two
daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, resulted
in divorce. But the two have proved model parents and
are often photographed togther and have jointly raised
their children. The Duke now has a senior role as a roving
trade ambassador for Britain after retiring after an accomplished
Royal Navy career.
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The Earl and Countess of Wessex |
The Earl and Countess of Wessex have never been far from
controversy. Critised for conflict of interest for running
their own businesses while being high profile members
of the Royal Family, Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex were
forced to abandon their careers and dedicate themselves
to working for the firm.
But since the birth of their baby daughter in November
2003 and a steady
stream of public engagements they have enjoyed better
publicity and an easier ride in the media. Upon his marriage
to Miss Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999, he was created The
Earl of Wessex and Viscount Severn; at the same time it
was announced that His Royal Highness will eventually
succeed to the title of The Duke of Edinburgh.
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Prince William is heir apparent to the British throne
and seen by many as the symbol of the modern Royal Family.
Born on 21 June 1982 at London's St Mary's Hospital, Paddington,
in London, he has - much to his irritation - already achieved
celebrity status worldwide.
Often seen as shy and awkward in front of camera as
a teenager, he has blossomed into a clever media performer
in recent years. After attending Eton College, Windsor,
where he studied Geography, Biology and History of Art
at A Level he took a gap year, spending time on manoeuvres
in Belize, working on a farm in the United Kingdom, helping
in community projects with other young people in a remote
area of Chile, and visiting countries in Africa.
He studied at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland,
where he is studying Geography, having switched from History
of Art. A sportsman, who excels as water polo as well
as being a crack clay pigeon shot, he has proved determined
to guard his privacy and has delayed caring out full programme
of engagements.
To date he undertakes no official engagements on his
own, but he has accompanied Prince Charles on several
official visits around the UK.
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Prince Harry was born on 15 September 1984 at London's
St Mary's Hospital was christened Prince Henry by the
Archbishop of Canterbury. Unfairly labelled a "playboy
prince" Harry - who is next in line to the throne
after his older brother William - has just embarked on
his military career.
He joined the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst in
May 2005. Like his older brother he does not carry out
official engagements, but he has cooperated with the media
on his foreign travels, notably in Australia and Africa.
He also attended the VE and VJ commemorations, and in
November 1997 he accompanied the Prince of Wales to South
Africa.
In the summer of 1998, Prince Harry accompanied his
father to France to watch England play in a World Cup
match. In September 1998, Prince Harry started at Eton
College, Windsor, where he completed his A-levels and
after successfully completing his exams, he spent the
first part of his gap year in Australia. He then went
to Africa, where he worked in an orphanage in Lesotho.
In July 2004 he began preparations for The Regular Commissions
Board (RCB) exams ahead of entering Sandhurst.
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