Category Archives: British Royals

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex

by Susan Flantzer  © Unofficial Royalty 2014

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex; Credit – Wikipedia

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex was born on September 15, 1984, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London, England. He is the second of the two sons of King Charles III of the United Kingdom and his first wife Lady Diana Spencer. Although he is known as Prince Harry, his full name is Henry Charles Albert David.

Prince Harry has one older brother:

Harry_family

Prince Harry and his family in 1987; Credit – www.dailymail.co.uk

Prince Harry was christened by Robert Runcie, Archbishop of Canterbury, on December 21, 1984, at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. His godparents were:

Harry_christening

Prince Harry’s Christening; Credit – www.abc.net.au

Like his brother, Prince Harry began his education at Mrs. Mynors’ Nursery School in the Notting Hill section of London. He then joined Prince William at Wetherby School also in the Notting Hill section of London.

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Prince Harry’s first day at Wetherby School with his brother and mother; Credit – http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

Harry followed his brother to Ludgrove School in Wokingham, Berkshire, England, and then in 1998, he joined Prince William at Eton College in Windsor, Berkshire, England. William and Harry’s attending Eton went against what had become the Windsor tradition of attending Gordonstoun School.  Their Spencer grandfather, the 8th Earl Spencer, and uncle, the 9th Earl Spencer, both attended Eton College. While at Eton, Harry was a House Captain of Games and played rugby, cricket, and polo. Harry also received basic military training at Eton, led the Combined Cadet Force at their annual Tattoo, and received the highest rank of Cadet Officer.  Prince Harry passed two A-Level exams and was eligible for a commission in the British Army.

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Prince Harry at Eton College in 2003; Credit – www.vanityfair.com

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Prince Harry leading the Combined Cadet Force at Eton College in 2003: Credit – www.dw.de

After leaving Eton in 2003, Harry spent part of his gap year in Australia, on a cattle station and participating in the Young England vs Young Australia Polo Test Match. He then traveled to the African country of Lesotho to work at an AIDS orphanage.

Harry_gap year Australia

Prince Harry herding cattle in Australia; Credit – home.bt.com

Harry_gap year_Lesotho

Prince Harry working at an AIDS orphanage in Lesotho; Credit – www.healthshares.org

In May of 2005, Harry entered the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst where he was known as Officer Cadet Wales. He completed his training in April 2006 and was commissioned as a Cornet (second lieutenant) in the Blues and Royals, a regiment of the Household Cavalry in the British Army.

Harry_sandhurst

Queen Elizabeth II smiles at her grandson as she inspects the cadets at Harry’s graduation from Sandhurst; Credit – www.today.com

Harry’s highest rank in the army was Captain and like his brother William, he used Wales as his surname with his military rank. Harry trained to fly Apache helicopters and has served two tours of duty in Afghanistan. In 2014, Harry took up a Staff Officer role in HQ London District as SO3 (Defence Engagement). In this position, he helped to coordinate significant projects and commemorative events involving the British Army in London. Harry ended his career in the army on June 15, 2015.

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Captain Harry Wales prepares for a flight;  Credit – www.mirror.co.uk

Harry’s experience in Lesotho during his gap year caused him to form a charity, Sentebale, with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, the brother of King Letsie of Lesotho. The goal of Sentebale is “to help vulnerable children, the forgotten victims of poverty and Lesotho’s HIV/AIDS epidemic.”

Prince Seeiso & Prince Harry join some children in a kneeling dance in Lesotho; Credit – www.thetimes.co.uk

In 2014, Prince Harry launched the Invictus Games, a Paralympic-style sporting event for injured servicemen and women. Invictus is Latin for “Unconquered, Undefeated.” The first Invictus Games were held on September 10-14, 2014 at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, England.

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Prince Harry speaking at the launch of the Invictus Games; Credit – http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk

On November 8, 2016, Kensington Palace confirmed that Prince Harry was in a relationship with American actress Meghan Markle and released a statement from the prince asking for the “abuse and harassment” of Markle and her family to end.

 

The engagement of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was announced on November 27, 2017.  The couple was married on May 19, 2018, at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle where many royal weddings have been held.  On the morning of the wedding, The Queen created Harry Duke of Sussex, Earl of Dumbarton, and Baron Kilkeel.


Lilibet being held by her mother with her father and brother Archie, from the 2021 Christmas card of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex; Credit – Alexi Lubomirski/The Duke and Duchess of Sussex

Harry and Meghan have two children:

Their daughter is named after her paternal great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth II and her paternal grandmother Diana, Princess of Wales. “Lilibet” is Queen Elizabeth II’s family nickname, which originated from Elizabeth’s pronunciation of her name when she was young.  As the children of a duke, Archie and Lilibet were entitled to the courtesy titles Earl of Dumbarton and Lady Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor. However, their parents declined the use. With the accession of the children’s grandfather as King Charles III, Archie and Lilibet are male-line grandchildren of the monarch and are entitled to be styled His/Her Royal Highness Prince/Princess.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced on January 8, 2020, that they will step back as senior royals and divide time between the United Kingdom and North America. However, since that time the Duke and Duchess have made a home in California in the United States.

Below is their statement:

“After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution. We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen. It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment. We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages. This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity. We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties. Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support.”

It was announced on January 18, 2020, from Buckingham Palace that The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will no longer use their HRH titles or receive any public funds for royal duties, as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family. The couple has also made known their intentions to repay the funds used from the Sovereign Grant for the refurbishment of Frogmore Cottage, their home in Windsor Home Park. The statement also said that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would balance their time between the United Kingdom and North America and would continue to honor their duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and their patronages.

However, a statement was released on February 19, 2021, stating that as part of the review planned a year earlier when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex first stepped away from royal duties, it has been decided that they will no longer have any of their royal patronages or honorary military roles.

Buckingham Palace made the following statement:

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have confirmed to Her Majesty The Queen that they will not be returning as working members of The Royal Family.  Following conversations with The Duke, The Queen has written confirming that in stepping away from the work of The Royal Family it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service. The honorary military appointments and Royal patronages held by The Duke and Duchess will therefore be returned to Her Majesty, before being redistributed among working members of The Royal Family. While all are saddened by their decision, The Duke and Duchess remain much loved members of the family.

In April 2024, Prince Harry formally confirmed he is now a resident of the United States. Paperwork was filed by Travalyst Ltd., a company at least 75% owned by Harry, filed paperwork informing British authorities that he has moved and is now “usually resident” in the United States.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Prince George of Wales

by Scott Mehl
© Unofficial Royalty 2014

Prince George of Wales; By Simon Dawson  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=149642217rin

Prince George Alexander Louis of Wales is the eldest of the three children of Prince William, The Prince of Wales and the former Catherine Middleton. He was born at 4:24 pm on July 22, 2013, at the Lindo Wing, St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London. He is second in line to the British throne, behind his father, The Prince of Wales.

Prince George has two younger siblings:

His birth was announced at 8:29 pm via a press release from Clarence House. Following tradition, a formal written announcement was placed on an easel in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace.

photo: ABC News

photo: ABC News

The following afternoon, the young Prince made his first public appearance. After visits from the grandparents, William and Catherine emerged from the doors of the Lindo Wing with their son, to introduce him to the crowds of media and admirers who were gathered. Soon after, they drove off to their home at Kensington Palace. On July 24th, the prince’s names were announced – George Alexander Louis.

photo: Telegraph/John Stillwell/PA

Prince George and his parents at his christening; photo: Telegraph/John Stillwell/PA

Prince George’s christening took place on October 23, 2013, in the Chapel Royal at St James’ Palace in London, England. Officiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the christening was private, with just immediate family in attendance. His godparents were:

  • Oliver Baker (a schoolmate of his parents at The University of St Andrews)
  • Emilia d’Erlanger Jardine-Paterson (a schoolmate of his mother at Marlborough College)
  • Hugh Grosvenor, Earl Grosvenor (friend of his father)
  • Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton (private secretary to his parents)
  • Julia Samuel (a close friend of his late grandmother Diana, Princess of Wales)
  • William van Cutsem (a friend of his father)
  • Zara Phillips Tindall (paternal first cousin of his father)
photo: Jason Bell/Camera Press

photo: Jason Bell/Camera Press

Following the christening, a reception was held at Clarence House where formal photographs were taken. This would be the first time since 1894 that four direct generations of sovereigns were photographed together.

Prince George’s first big public appearance came when he joined his parents on a three-week trip to New Zealand and Australia in April 2014. At an event held at Government House, in Wellington New Zealand, the young prince and his parents enjoyed a play date with other children and their parents.

 

January 6, 2016 was Prince George’s first day of school. He attended the Westacre Montessori Nursery School in the village of East Walton in Norfolk near his home Amner Hall.  He was dropped off at school by his parents and spent a few hours there.  In September 2017, Prince George began attending Thomas’s Battersea School on Battersea High Street in London under the name George Cambridge.

Prince George meets President Obama; Credit – Wikipedia

On April 22, 2016, Prince George met Barack Obama, President of the United States at Kensington Palace. The encounter later prompted Obama to joke that “Prince George showed up to our meeting in his bathrobe… a clear breach of protocol.”

 

Prince George and Princess Charlotte accompanied their parents on a tour of Canada in September 2016.

On May 20, 2017, Prince George was a page at the wedding of his aunt Pippa Middleton and James Matthews.

 

In 2018, Prince George was a page boy in two royal weddings – the wedding of his uncle Prince Harry to Meghan Markle and the wedding of his first cousin once removed Princess Eugenie of York to Jack Brooksbank.

George and his siblings ride in the Trooping the Colour carriage procession for the first time in 2022; Credit – By John Pannell from Watford, UK – Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 2022-0695, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=118639761

George occasionally accompanies his parents on royal tours and engagements. On June 2, 2022, during his great-grandmother’s Platinum Jubilee celebration weekend, George and his siblings made their debut in the Trooping the Colour carriage procession. All three children then joined their parents, Queen Elizabeth II, and other working royals on the Buckingham Palace balcony.

William and Catherine with their children on the Buckingham Palace balcony during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022

In the summer of 2022, George and his family moved to Adelaide Cottage, a four-bedroom house on the grounds of Windsor Castle in Berkshire, England. The move was made to give George and his siblings a more normal family life. In the fall of 2022, George and his siblings began attending Lambrook School, a prestigious fee-paying school in Winkfield, near Windsor. The school is described on its website as a “leading coeducational Prep School for 615 boys and girls aged 3 and 13, set in 52 acres of beautiful Berkshire countryside.” Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis are not the first royals to attend Lambrook School. Prince Christian Victor of Schleswig-Holstein and his brother Prince Albert of Schleswig-Holstein, grandsons of Queen Victoria and sons of Princess Helena and Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein, also attended Lambrook School.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Updated 7/21/2024

Catherine, The Princess of Wales

by Scott Mehl
© Unofficial Royalty 2014

Credit – Wikipedia (2021)

Catherine, The Princess of Wales

Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales is the wife of Prince William, The Prince of Wales, the elder of the two children of King Charles III of the United Kingdom and Lady Diana Spencer, and the heir apparent to the British throne. She was born Catherine Elizabeth Middleton on January 9, 1982, at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, England. She is the eldest of three children of Michael Middleton and Carole Goldsmith.

Catherine has two younger siblings:

The Middleton family moved to Jordan from 1984-1986, where her father worked for British Airways. While living in Amman, Catherine attended an English nursery school. In 1986, the family returned to Berkshire and she was enrolled at St Andrew’s School in Pangbourne. In 1995, she entered Marlborough College, in Wiltshire, graduating in 2000.

Following a gap year during which she studied at the British Institute in Florence, volunteered in Chile with Raleigh International, and crewed on Round the World Challenge boats in the Solent, in 2001 Catherine enrolled at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. It was here that she met Prince William. First as friends, and later flat-mates, it would be a couple of years later that their relationship would become romantic.

After graduating in 2005, Catherine worked for her family’s business – Party Pieces – and launched her own brand within the company in 2008, called First Birthdays. In addition, she worked as a part-time buyer for Jigsaw Junior, a London-based clothing company.

Following intense media scrutiny and speculation, and a brief and very public breakup, Catherine and William became engaged while on holiday in Kenya in October 2010. The engagement was formally announced on November 16, 2010, and the couple greeted the press and photographers at St James’ Palace.

On April 29, 2011, the couple married at Westminster Abbey. Her new husband having been granted peerage titles that morning by Queen Elizabeth II, Catherine left the Abbey as Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge, Countess of Strathearn and Lady Carrickfergus.

On December 3, 2012, it was announced that Catherine was expecting the couple’s first child. While it was not intended to be made public for several more weeks, it became necessary when Catherine was taken ill with hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe type of morning sickness, and was admitted to hospital. After three days she was released and continued to recover at home, and soon began making public appearances again, supporting her charities and patronages. During all three of her pregnancies, Catherine suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum, a pregnancy complication that is characterized by severe nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and possibly dehydration.

On July 22, 2013, Catherine was admitted to St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London, in the early stages of labor. Later that afternoon, at 4:24 pm, she gave birth to a son George Alexander Louis. The following day, William and Catherine, along with their new son, greeted the crowds of admirers and media camped outside the doors of the hospital, before returning to their home at Kensington Palace.

photo: The Telegraph

photo: The Telegraph

William and Catherine have three children:

William and Catherine with their children on the Buckingham Palace balcony during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022

Following their wedding, their primary residence was a small cottage in Anglesey, Wales, near RAF Valley where William was stationed with the RAF Search and Rescue Force. In London, they took up residence at Nottingham Cottage, a small residence on the grounds of Kensington Palace. It was later announced that they would move to Apartment 1A in Kensington Palace, the former home of The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon. After extensive renovations, the couple moved to Apartment 1A in 2014. They were also given the use of Anmer Hall on The Queen’s Sandringham Estate, as their country home. In 2017, Catherine and her family moved back to Apartment 1A in Kensington Palace on a permanent basis. In the summer of 2022, William, Catherine and their children moved to Adelaide Cottage, a four-bedroom house on the grounds of Windsor Castle in Berkshire, England. The move was made to give Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis a more normal family life. The family will retain Apartment 1A in Kensington Palace.

In January 2024, Catherine was admitted to The London Clinic to have abdominal surgery for an undisclosed medical condition. Due to her convalescence, she postponed all her public engagements and duties until after Easter 2024. Speculation about her condition prompted conspiracy theories and much commentary in the press. On March 22, 2024, Catherine announced that she is in the early stages of chemotherapy after cancer was found in tests. The type of cancer was not disclosed. She explained that when she had abdominal surgery in January, it was not known that there was any cancer. Catherine stated, “However tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.” Kensington Palace announced that Catherine will not return to any official duties.

Catherine presenting the winner’s trophy to  Novak Djokovic at the Men’s Singles Finals of 2022 Wimbledon Championships at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club

From the time of their engagement, Catherine has been involved with numerous charities and organizations. In lieu of wedding gifts, William and Catherine established a Charitable Gift Fund, Royal Foundation, which allowed people to donate to 26 different charities. Through the Royal Foundation, Catherine supports charities and organizations which are of specific interest to her, and also serves as a patron for several others. Catherine is the Patron of many charities and organizations, including the ones listed below.

House of Windsor Resources at Unofficial Royalty

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Prince William, The Prince of Wales

by Scott Mehl    © Unofficial Royalty 2014

Prince William, The Prince of Wales; Credit – Wikipedia

Prince William, The Prince of Wales, is the elder son of King Charles III of the United Kingdom and Lady Diana Spencer, and the heir apparent to the British throne. He was born Prince William Arthur Philip Louis of Wales, at 9:03 pm on June 21, 1982, in the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London. Prince William was the first future British king to be born in a hospital.

He was christened by the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Music Room at Buckingham Palace on August 4, 1982. His godparents were:

William has one brother:

Unlike previous generations of British royals, William began his public life at a very young age. He accompanied his parents on a tour of Australia and New Zealand at just nine months old. He began his schooling at Jane Mynors’ nursery school, followed by pre-preparatory schooling at Wetherby School, both in London. From 1990-1995, he attended Ludgrove School in Wokingham and then studied Geography, Biology, and History of Art at Eton College.

Following a gap year during which he visited Belize and Chile, worked on dairy farms in England, and visited Africa, William enrolled at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. Initially studying Art History, he changed his course to Geography and graduated in 2005 with honours. Following an internship at HSBC, he entered the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst at the beginning of 2006. He graduated in December of the same year and joined the Household Cavalry (Blues and Royals) as a Second Lieutenant (promoted to Lieutenant a year later). He also trained with the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force and took an attachment to the Royal Air Force in 2008. Following a two-month attachment to the Royal Navy, he formally transferred his commission to the RAF, with the rank of Flight Lieutenant, and trained as a helicopter pilot with the RAF’s Search and Rescue Force.

photo: The Telegraph/MOD/PA

photo: The Telegraph/MOD/PA

Following his training, William transferred to the Search and Rescue Training Unit at RAF Valley, in Anglesey, Wales. There he trained on the Sea King helicopter, graduating in September 2010. He remained at RAF Valley, assigned to C Flight No. 22 Squadron, until stepping down from active service in September 2013.

At that time, it was announced that William would be undertaking more official duties, while still evaluating his role and future plans. In January 2014, he enrolled in a 10-week course in Agricultural Management at the University of Cambridge. As he will one day take over control of the Duchy of Cornwall, this was intended to help prepare him for that role. Later in 2014, it was announced that he would be taking a full-time position with the East Anglian Air Ambulance service.

From an early age, William was exposed to the struggles and challenges faced by many people. To this day, he continues to support many of the charities and causes once very dear to his mother, and has developed a strong interest in conservation and protection of our natural resources. This is just a small list of organizations with which he is involved:

  • Patron, Centrepoint
  • Patron, The Royal Marsden Hospital
  • Patron, Mountain Rescue England & Wales
  • Patron, The Tusk Trust
  • President, England Football Association
  • Vice Royal Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union
  • Patron, English Schools Swimming Association
  • President, British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA)

In addition to his many organizations, William is an avid polo player, and along with his brother, often takes part in charity polo matches.

Prince William and Catherine Middleton, 2003. photo: ABCNews

William and Catherine Middleton, 2003. photo: ABCNews

While a student at the University of St Andrews, William met his future wife, Catherine Middleton. First as friends, and then as flat-mates along with some other friends, the relationship soon turned romantic. After years of speculation, and intense media scrutiny, the couple became engaged while on a vacation in Kenya. William gave her his mother’s famous engagement ring – a large sapphire surrounded by diamonds.

photo: Daily Mail/Getty Images

photo: Daily Mail/Getty Images

The engagement was formally announced by Clarence House on November 16, 2010. Following the announcement, the couple met the press and photographers at St. James’ Palace, followed by a television interview.

On April 29, 2011, Prince William and Catherine Middleton married at Westminster Abbey. Earlier that morning, The Queen had created him Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn, and Baron Carrickfergus.

On December 3, 2012, it was announced that William and Catherine were expecting their first child. During all three of her pregnancies, Catherine suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum, a pregnancy complication that is characterized by severe nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and possibly dehydration. The Queen issued Letters Patent in December 2013, declaring that all children born to William and Catherine would be Prince and Princess, with the style of Royal Highness. On July 22, 2013, Catherine gave birth to a son George Alexander Louis, at 4:24 pm.

photo: Zimbio

photo: Zimbio

The following day, the proud parents emerged from the doors of the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital the following day and presented their son to the crowds and media waiting outside. For many, it brought back memories of a similar scene, thirty-one years earlier, when William’s parents first emerged from the hospital with the newborn Prince William.

William and Catherine have three children:

William and Catherine with their children on the Buckingham Palace balcony during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022

William was made a Knight of the Order of the Garter on April 23, 2008 – as the 1,000th member of the Order. This was the first time a grandchild of the sovereign had been appointed to the order since 1894. He was later, in May 2012, made a Knight of the Order of the Thistle. He was also made Personal Aide-de-Camp To Her Majesty The Queen in March 2013.

photo: Daily Mail/National News and Pictures

photo: Daily Mail/National News and Pictures

Following their marriage, William and Catherine resided in Anglesey, Wales, where Prince William was stationed at RAF Valley. In London, they moved to Nottingham Cottage – a small residence on the grounds of Kensington Palace. It was later announced that they would move to Apartment 1A within Kensington Palace, the former home of Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon. After extensive renovations, they took up residence in 2014. In addition, the Queen has given them the use of Anmer Hall on the Sandringham Estate as their country home. It was at Anmer Hall where they were based primarily until 2017, as it was closer to Prince William’s work at the East Anglian Air Ambulance.  In 2017, William and his family moved back to Apartment 1A in Kensington Palace on a permanent basis.

In the summer of 2022, William and his family moved to Adelaide Cottage, a four-bedroom house on the grounds of Windsor Castle in Berkshire, England. The move was made to give Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis a more normal family life. The family will retain Apartment 1A in Kensington Palace.

William automatically became Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Rothesay when his father succeeded to the throne as King Charles III on September 8, 2022. The following day, King Charles III created his elder son and heir apparent The Prince of Wales. As The Prince of Wales and The Duke of Cornwall, William’s primary source of income comes from the Duchy of Cornwall,  a private estate established in 1337 that funds the public, charitable, and private activities of the Prince of Wales and his family. The Duchy of Cornwall owns 133,658 acres of land, including farming, residential, and commercial properties, as well as an investment portfolio.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

House of Windsor Resources at Unofficial Royalty

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting their second child

Photo Credit – www.usmagazine.com

From the Prince of Wales’ website:

Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting their second child.
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The Queen and members of both families are delighted with the news.

As with her first pregnancy, The Duchess is suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum. Her Royal Highness will no longer accompany The Duke of Cambridge on their planned engagement in Oxford today. The Duchess of Cambridge is being treated by doctors at Kensington Palace

Sophie, The Duchess of Edinburgh

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2014

Credit – Wikipedia

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh is the wife of Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh. Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones was born on January 20, 1965, at Radcliffe Infirmary in Oxford, England. She is the youngest of the two children of Christopher Rhys-Jones (born 1931), a retired tire salesman, and Mary (née O’Sullivan, 1934–2005). Sophie has an elder brother David (born 1963). She is distantly related to the Viscounts Molesworth through her paternal grandmother and, as are many people, she is a descendant of King Edward III of England, and also of King Henry IV of England through his son Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester.

Royal Ascot - Day 4

Sophie with her father at Royal Ascot in 2012; Credit – www.getty.images.com

Sophie’s family moved to Kent when she was young and she grew up in a 17th-century farmhouse in the West Kent village of Brenchley.  She began her education at Dulwich Preparatory School in Cranbrook, Kent, England, and then attended Kent College School for Girls in Pembury, Kent, England. Sophie studied to be a secretary at West Kent College in Tonbridge, Kent, England.

In 1993, Prince Edward renewed a casual acquaintance with Sophie Rhys-Jones at a Real Tennis Challenge, hosted by the Prince. Sophie, the public relations executive handling the event, was reportedly charmed by the youngest of the Queen’s sons, and he was with her. After a long courtship, their engagement was announced on January 6, 1999.

Prince Edward Sophie Engagement

Engagement announcement; Photo Credit – www.gettyimages.in

On June 19, 1999, Edward and Sophie were married at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. There were only about 550 guests, far fewer than at the weddings of Edward’s brothers Charles and Andrew, but an estimated 200 million viewers from around the world watched on television. Sophie had a quite remarkable accessory for her wedding, a beautiful black and white pearl necklace and matching earrings designed by Edward as a personal wedding gift. After her marriage, Sophie’s style and title were Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex. On March 10, 2019, Edward’s 55th birthday, The Queen granted him an additional title Earl of Forfar for use when he is in Scotland. Therefore, Sophie uses the title Countess of Forfar when in Scotland.

At the time of Sophie’s wedding, it was announced that Prince Edward would eventually be granted the Dukedom of Edinburgh, his father’s title, at such time when it reverted back to the Crown. The title Duke of Edinburgh automatically passed to Edward’s eldest brother Charles when their father died in April 2021, and merged into the Crown in September 2022 when Charles acceded to the throne. King Charles III granted his younger brother Prince Edward the title Duke of Edinburgh on his 59th birthday, March 10, 2023, and Sophie is now styled Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh.

Sophie_Wessex_wedding

Photo Credit – royalweddings.hellomagazine.com

After she had left West Kent College, Sophie had begun a career in public relations at Capital Radio and then worked for the public relations firms Quentin Bell Organization and MacLaurin Communications and Media. She also worked as a ski representative in Switzerland and spent a year traveling and working in Australia. In 1996, Sophie started a public relations agency, R-JH Public Relations, which she ran with a business partner for five years.

In 2001, an undercover reporter posing as a sheikh recorded Sophie, by then a member of the British Royal Family, making unfavorable comments about members of the British Royal Family and the Government and appearing to use her royal status in order to gain clientele for her company. The comments were published in the media and this caused a scandal that had to be addressed by Buckingham Palace.  Sophie left her business in 2002 to focus on royal duties and support The Queen during her Golden Jubilee.

 

Sophie and Edward have two children:

Sophie carried out a full schedule of engagements in the United Kingdom and overseas in support of Queen Elizabeth II, and now her brother-in-law King Charles III, her husband, and the charities and organizations with which she is involved. She is particularly interested in working with organizations that help children and young people with sensory, learning, and communications disabilities such as Dyslexia Action, Mencap, the National Autistic Society, the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, and Vision 2020.

Sophie_Edward

Sophie and Edward in 2014; Photo Credit – www.zimbio.com

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2014

Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh; Credit – Wikipedia

Edward Antony Richard Louis was born on March 10, 1964, at Buckingham Palace in London, England. He is the youngest of the four children of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (born a Prince of Greece and Denmark). Edward was part of a baby boom the British Royal Family was having in 1964. Also born that year were James Ogilvy, son of Princess Alexandra of Kent, on February 29, 1964; Lady Helen Windsor, daughter of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent on April 28, 1964; and Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones, daughter of Princess Margaret on May 1, 1964.

The infant Prince Edward with his brother Prince Andrew and his mother Queen Elizabeth

Edward was baptized on May 2, 1964, in the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle. His godparents were:

Edward with his parents and siblings in 1968

Edward has three elder siblings:

Edward was educated privately by a governess before attending Gibbs School in Kensington, London, England for a year. In 1972, he began to attend Heatherdown School in Winkfield, Berkshire, England. Edward then moved on to Gordonstoun School in Moray, Scotland, which his father and elder brothers had also attended. During his last term at Gordonstoun, Edward was Head Boy.

Starting in September of 1982, Edward worked as a house tutor during his gap year at the Wanganui Collegiate School in Wanganui, New Zealand. While at the school he taught English and History and supervised other activities, including Drama and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expeditions. Edward then studied history at Jesus College, University of Cambridge, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1986. While at university, he enjoyed theater, taking part in a number of productions, and sports, including learning to play real tennis.

After leaving university, Edward joined the Royal Marines. However, in January of 1987, he dropped out of the year-long officer training after completing only four months. Reportedly, his father, the Duke of Edinburgh, was angered by the decision and Edward took some criticism from the media.

Edward then pursued a career in theatrical production working for Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Theatre Company as a production assistant on musicals such as The Phantom of the Opera, Starlight Express, and Cats.

In 1993, Edward formed Ardent Productions, a television production company. Programs included Edward on Edward, a documentary on his great-uncle, King Edward VIII (later the Duke of Windsor); thirty half-hour programs of Crown and Country: A Royal History of Britain; The Cater Street Hangman, a dramatization of Anne Perry’s first mystery novel; and Windsor Restored, a program on the restoration of Windsor Castle after the fire in 1993. Edward was accused in the media of using his royal connections for financial gains and his professionalism was also questioned. In September of 2001, an Ardent production crew invaded the privacy of Prince William, Edward’s nephew, while he was at the University of St Andrews, ignoring the guidelines regarding the privacy of the royal family. Reportedly, Prince Charles was angered by this incident. Edward’s productions were received well in the United States (this American writer, Susan, saw them all and enjoyed them) and the program about Edward VIII sold well in many countries. However, Ardent Productions reported losses for each year of its existence except one. In June of 2009, the company was liquidated with assets of £40.

In 1993, Edward renewed a casual acquaintance with Sophie Rhys-Jones at a Real Tennis Challenge, hosted by the Prince. Sophie, the public relations executive handling the event, was reportedly charmed by the youngest of Queen Elizabeth II’s sons, and he with her. After a long courtship, their engagement was announced on January 6, 1999.

 

The wedding was a smaller affair, unlike the large, formal weddings of Edward’s brothers, Charles and Andrew. On June 19, 1999, Edward and Sophie were married at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. There were only about 550 guests, far fewer than at the weddings of Charles and Andrew, but an estimated 200 million viewers from around the world watched on television.

On his wedding day, Edward was created Earl of Wessex and Viscount Severn, breaking with the tradition of a dukedom granted to the son of the Sovereign upon marriage. However, it was announced that Prince Edward would eventually be granted the Dukedom of Edinburgh, his father’s title, at such time when it reverted back to the Crown.  On his 55th birthday, Prince Edward was granted the additional title of Earl of Forfar for use in Scotland. The title Duke of Edinburgh automatically passed to Edward’s eldest brother Charles when their father died in April 2021, and merged into the Crown in September 2022 when Charles acceded to the throne. King Charles III granted his younger brother Prince Edward the title Duke of Edinburgh on his 59th birthday, March 10, 2023. His ducal title is not hereditary, so it will become extinct on his death. Edward’s son James Mountbatten-Windsor now uses Earl of Wessex as his courtesy title.

Edward and Sophie also decided, with The Queen’s agreement, that their children would use the courtesy titles as sons or daughters of an Earl rather than the style and title His/Her Royal Highness Prince or Princess. As they would already be well down the line of succession (Prince Edward was 7th in line at the time of his marriage), it is believed that this was done to alleviate some of the ‘burdens’ associated with having a royal title, and to allow them somewhat more of a normal life. However, many argue that the press release does not supersede the terms of the 1917 Letters Patent and that Edward’s children, Louise and James are, in fact, Prince and Princess. In June 2020, during an interview with the Sunday Times Magazine, the Countess of Wessex stated that she and her husband have raised their children with the intent that will have to work for a living as opposed to being working royals. She continued: “Hence we made the decision not to use HRH titles. They have them and can decide to use them from 18, but I think it’s highly unlikely.”

Edward with his two children James and Louise at the coronation of King Charles III in 2023

The couple had two children:

Edward and his family live at Bagshot Park which is located close to Windsor and is owned by the Crown Estate. He pays rent to the Crown Estate for the use of the estate. Edward has a busy schedule of engagements in the United Kingdom and overseas both in support of the crown and for the large number of charities and organizations with which he is involved.

Bagshot Park; Credit – By Len Williams, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=39952096

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Prince Andrew, The Duke of York

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2014

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Photo Credit – Wikipedia

Andrew Albert Christian Edward was born on February 19, 1960, at Buckingham Palace in London, England. He is the third of the four children of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (born a Prince of Greece and Denmark). At the time of his birth, Andrew’s mother had been Queen for eight years and he was styled His Royal Highness The Prince Andrew.

On April 8, 1960, Andrew was baptized in the Music Room at Buckingham Palace. The infant prince was wide awake throughout the ceremony and “let out two lusty yells” according to the UPI article about the christening. Andrew was named after his paternal grandfather, Prince Andrew of Greece, who had died in 1944. His godparents were:

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Andrew on his christening day with his parents and his elder brother Charles and elder sister Anne; Photo Credit – daysofmajesty.blogspot.com

Andrew has three siblings:

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Andrew, standing in the back, with his family at Balmoral Castle in 1972; Photo Credit – www.windsorstar.com

Like his elder brother and sister, Andrew began his education with a governess at Buckingham Palace. When he was eight years old, Andrew began to attend Heatherdown School in Winkfield, Berkshire, England. In 1973, when he was 13, Andrew moved on to Gordonstoun School in Moray, Scotland, which his father and elder brother had also attended. From January to June 1977, Andrew participated in an exchange program and attended Lakefield College School in Lakefield, Ontario, Canada. Andrew graduated from Gordonstoun School in 1979.

In September 1979, Andrew was appointed as a Midshipman and entered Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth.  Andrew also completed Royal Marines All Arms Commando Course.  He then took his flight training and was certified as a pilot for the Gazelle helicopter and the Sea King helicopter.  Andrew then joined the 820 Naval Air Squadron serving aboard the aircraft carrier HMS Invincible.

Andrew served on the HMS Invincible during the Falklands War.  The British government wanted Andrew assigned to a desk job for the duration of the war, but the Queen insisted that Andrew be allowed to stay with the ship. Andrew continued to serve in the Royal Navy until his retirement in July 2001.

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Prince Andrew with RAF Sea King helicopter in 1982; Credit – bigstory.ap.org

Prince Andrew’s Naval Ranks:

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Photo Credit – www.telegraph.co.uk

In 1985, Andrew became romantically involved with Sarah Ferguson. Sarah’s father, Major Ronald Ferguson, was the polo manager for the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales, so Andrew and Sarah had first met as children. On February 19, 1986, Andrew’s birthday, at the Scottish home of the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe, where their romance first started, Andrew proposed to Sarah. Their engagement was announced on March 17, 1986. The couple married at Westminster Abbey on July 23, 1986. On his wedding day, Andrew was created Duke of York, the traditional title of the second son of the monarch, along with the subsidiary titles, Earl of Inverness, and Baron Killyleagh. These titles were also held by his maternal grandfather, King George VI, and his maternal great-grandfather, King George V, both of whom were second sons of monarchs.

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Photo Credit – www.dailymail.co.uk

Andrew and Sarah appeared to have a happy marriage, producing two daughters.

However, it was reported that Andrew’s obligations as a naval helicopter pilot and the negative attention Sarah received from the media contributed to the couple’s estrangement. Andrew and Sarah announced their separation on March 19, 1992, and divorced on May 30, 1996. The Duke of York and Sarah, Duchess of York (her style upon her divorce) are on amicable terms with each other and are both devoted parents to their daughters.

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Andrew with his former wife and their daughters in 2004; Photo Credit – www.telegraph.co.uk

Before the announcements of November 2019 (see below), Andrew carried out engagements in support of The Queen in the United Kingdom and overseas. He also worked to recognize the importance of service and the voluntary sector, supporting and acting as Patron of a number of charitable organizations.

In March 2011, it was reported that Andrew had had a friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, an American financier and convicted sex offender. Andrew stated in July 2011 that he had cut all ties with Epstein.  In January 2015, a woman made allegations of sexual impropriety against Andrew claiming that he, among other men, had sex with her while she was a teenager and that she had been paid a substantial sum of money for her services by Epstein. In July 2019, additional charges were brought against Epstein, charging him with sex trafficking and conspiracy to traffic minors for sex. Epstein died by suicide while being held in jail for those charges on August 10, 2019.

In August 2019, court documents associated with a defamation case revealed that a second woman, gave evidence alleging sexual impropriety against Andrew while she was underage.  Andrew released a statement saying that “At no stage during the limited time I spent with [Epstein] did I see, witness or suspect any behavior of the sort that subsequently led to his arrest and conviction.”  Andrew expressed regret for meeting Epstein in 2010 after he had already pleaded guilty to sex crimes for the first time.

On November 16, 2019, an interview with Andrew aired on the BBC. His relationship with Epstein and the allegations of his sexual impropriety were discussed. The interview received negative reactions from both the media and the public, both in and outside of the United Kingdom. It was described as the worst public relations crisis for the royal family since the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.

On November 20, 2019, a statement from Buckingham Palace announced that Andrew was suspending his public duties “for the foreseeable future” and that he sympathized with Epstein’s victims. However, the backlash from the interview continued.  Many companies and organizations associated with Andrew were cutting off their relationships with him. On November 24, 2019, Buckingham Palace confirmed that Andrew would step down from all 230 of his patronages.

On August 9, 2021, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, one of the women who alleged that she was sex trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein and that she was sexually assaulted by Prince Andrew in London, New York, and the US Virgin Islands when she was underage, filed a civil lawsuit for monetary damages against Andrew. The lawsuit, filed in New York State under the state’s Child Victims Act, accuses Andrew of “sexual assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress.” Virginia Roberts Giuffre alleges that Andrew engaged in sexual acts without her consent, knowing how old she was and that she was a sex-trafficking victim.

On January 12, 2020, Judge Lewis Kaplan of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York ruled against a motion by Andrew’s legal team to dismiss the civil lawsuit brought against him by Virginia Giuffre. The civil lawsuit will proceed and a trial will most likely occur later in 2022.

On January 13, 2020, Buckingham Palace released the following statement:

With The Queen’s approval and agreement, The Duke of York’s military affiliations and Royal patronages have been returned to The Queen. The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen. 

The BBC article stated: “All Prince Andrew’s roles have been returned to the Queen with immediate effect, and will be redistributed to other members of the Royal Family, a Royal Source said. He will stop using the title ‘His Royal Highness’ in any official capacity, they added.”

On February 15, 2022, it was announced in a joint statement that both parties had reached an out-of-court settlement, which includes Prince Andrew making a substantial donation to Virginia Giuffre’s charity.  Virginia Giuffre’s lawyers said that the settlement does not shelter Prince Andrew from any criminal liability that would otherwise exist and that Virginia Giuffre did not sign a non-disclosure agreement.

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Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2014

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Photo Credit – www.hellomagazine.com

The second husband of Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, Timothy James Hamilton Laurence was born on March 1, 1955, in Camberwell, South London, England, the son of Guy Laurence (1896-1982) and Barbara Symonds. His father was a Commander in the Royal Navy and then a salesman for a marine engine manufacturer. Timothy grew up in Kent, England along with his older brother Jonathan Dobree Laurence (born in 1952).

Timothy began his education at The New Beacon Preparatory School in Sevenoaks, Kent, England. He then attended Sevenoaks School also in Sevenoaks, Kent, England, founded in 1432. Timothy attended University College, Durham on a Naval Scholarship where he was the editor of the student newspaper and captain of the cricket team. He graduated with a Bachelors degree in geography and then completed his naval training at the Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth.

Timothy served on a number of Royal Navy ships as a navigating officer and then as a commander. From 1986-1989, he had his first staff appointment as Equerry to Queen Elizabeth II. An equerry must be a senior officer in the British Armed Services. Timothy also served in various posts in the Ministry of Defence. He retired from the Royal Navy in 2010 with the rank of Vice Admiral.

Timothy Laurence’s Royal Navy ranks:

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Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence with The Princess Royal; Photo Credit – www.thesun.co.uk

Timothy first met his future wife, Anne, Princess Royal when he was Equerry to Queen Elizabeth. As the Queen’s Equerry, a combination secretary and personal attendant, for three years, Timothy learned the ways of the Royal Family. He often ate with the family, accompanied them on outings, cruised with them on the royal yacht, and made the formal introductions when important guests came to visit. Anne’s marriage to Mark Phillips was in trouble and Timothy caught her eye. However, it was not until 1989, when four of Timothy’s love letters were stolen from Anne’s briefcase at Buckingham Palace that the romance came to light. In the same year, Anne separated from her first husband, but the courtship with Timothy remained discreet. The couple was seldom seen together until Anne’s divorce became final in April 1992.

Timothy and Anne married on December 12, 1992, at Crathie Kirk in Ballater, Scotland near Balmoral Castle, in a Church of Scotland ceremony. The Church of Scotland permitted the remarriage of divorced people. Timothy did not receive a peerage upon his marriage but was knighted by the Queen in June 2011 as a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.

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Photo Credit – http://www.hellomagazine.com

Timothy does not carry out royal duties by himself but offers a supportive role to Princess Anne on some engagements. He does join the Royal Family every year for the annual Trooping the Colour and Remembrance Sunday and participates in family occasions.

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Timothy Laurence on Remembrance Sunday 2011 with the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duchess of Cambridge, and the Countess of Wessex; Photo Credit – www.zimbio.com

Timothy and Anne live at Anne’s country estate Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire, England and also have apartments at Buckingham Palace and St. James’ Palace, both in London.

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Photo Credit – www.zimbio.com

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Princess Anne, The Princess Royal

by Susan Flantzer  © Unofficial Royalty 2014

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Princess Anne, The Princess Royal. Credit – www.grand-national.me.uk

Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise was born at Clarence House in London, England on August 15, 1950. She is the second child of four children and the only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (born a Prince of Greece and Denmark).

At the time of Anne’s birth, her mother was Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh and the sovereign was her grandfather, King George VI. The children of a daughter of a British sovereign would not usually have been accorded the style Royal Highness or the titles Prince/Princess as in the case of Anne’s children. However, on October 22, 1948, Anne’s grandfather King George VI issued letters patent allowing the children of his eldest daughter and heiress presumptive, to use the style and title of a royal prince or princess. Therefore, Anne was Her Royal Highness Princess Anne of Edinburgh at birth.

Anne was baptized in the Music Room of Buckingham Palace in London, England on October 21, 1950. Her godparents were:

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Big brother Charles takes a peek at his sister while his mother and the godparents look on; Photo Credit – Press Association

King George VI died on February 6, 1952, and his elder daughter Princess Elizabeth became Queen. Upon her mother’s accession to the throne, Anne was styled Her Royal Highness The Princess Anne. Anne was too young to attend her mother’s coronation, but she made an appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

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The Queen, Prince Charles, Princess Anne, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Queen Mother on the balcony; Photo Credit – www.itv.com

Catherine Peebles, the governess of Prince Charles was also Anne’s governess and was responsible for Anne’s early education. In 1959, a Girl Guides company, 1st Buckingham Palace Company was formed at the palace to allow Anne to socialize with other girls. Similar Girl Guide companies had been formed at Buckingham Palace for Anne’s mother and her aunt Princess Margaret. From 1963-1968, Anne attended Benenden School, an independent boarding school for girls in Kent, England.

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Princess Anne in her Girl Guides uniform in 1960; Credit – http://www.independent.co.uk

Anne has three brothers:

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Prince Andrew, Princess Anne, Queen Elizabeth holding Prince Edward, Prince Charles, and the Duke of Edinburgh in 1965; Photo Credit – www.telegraph.co.uk

From a young age, Princess Anne was passionate about riding and she soon became an excellent equestrienne. In 1971, Anne won the European Eventing Championship and was voted the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.  For more than five years Anne competed with the British eventing team, winning a silver medal in both individual and team disciplines in the 1975 European Eventing Championship. In the 1976 Montreal Summer Olympics, Anne competed as a member of the British equestrian team.

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Princess Anne competing in the 1976 Olympics; Photo Credit – www.express.co.uk

Anne’s love of riding led her to meet her first husband, Mark Phillips, also a member of the British equestrian team, and the winner of a gold medal in the Team Three Day Event in the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics and a silver medal in the Team Three Day Event in the 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics. Anne and Mark’s engagement was announced on May 29, 1973, and they were married in Westminster Abbey in London, England on November 14, 1973. It is believed that Queen Elizabeth II offered Mark a peerage upon his marriage, which was declined. The Queen purchased the Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire, England for Princess Anne upon her marriage. In 1989, Princess Anne and Mark Phillips separated and their divorce was final on April 23, 1992.

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Photo Credit – www.telegraph.co.uk

Anne and Peter had a son and a daughter:

  • Peter Phillips (born 1977), married Autumn Kelly, had two daughters, divorced
    • Savannah Anna Kathleen Phillips (born 2010)
    • Isla Elizabeth Phillips (born 2012)
  • Zara Phillips (born 1981), married Mike Tindall, had two daughters and one son
    • Mia Grace Tindall (born 2014)
    • Lena Elizabeth (born 2018)
    • Lucas Philip (born 2021)

Peter was the first grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II and his daughters were the Queen’s first great-grandchildren. Like her parents, Zara is also an equestrian and in the Team Three Day Event at the 2012 London Olympics, she won a silver medal and was it presented to her by her mother.

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Anne with Mark Phillips and their children Zara and Peter; Credit – www.dailymail.co.uk

On March 20, 1974, an unsuccessful attempt was made to kidnap Anne, as she and her husband were being driven along the Pall Mall on their way back to Buckingham Palace after a charity film show. Anne was not hurt, but several people were shot and injured including Anne’s personal protection officer and her chauffeur.

On June 13, 1987, Queen Elizabeth granted her daughter the style Princess Royal, a style that can be awarded to the eldest daughter of the monarch. The style is held for life, so a princess cannot be given the style during the lifetime of another Princess Royal. The use of “Princess Royal” came about when Queen Henrietta Maria, daughter of King Henri IV of France and wife of King Charles I of England, wanted to imitate the way the eldest daughter of the King of France was styled “Madame Royale”. Since 1987, Anne’s style has been Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal. Besides Anne, there have been six other Princesses Royal:

On December 12, 1992, Anne married Commander (now Vice Admiral) Timothy Laurence, a Royal Navy officer, in a private Church of Scotland ceremony at Crathie Kirk in Ballater, Scotland, where the Royal Family worships when they stay at nearby Balmoral Castle.  Anne was married in the Church of Scotland because it allowed the remarriage of divorced people. She had met her second husband when he served as an Equerry to Queen Elizabeth II.  Like her first husband, Anne’s second husband did not receive a peerage.

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Wedding of Princess Anne and Timothy Laurence; Photo Credit – www.dailymail.co.uk

The Princess Royal carries out a full schedule of engagements in the United Kingdom and abroad and is involved with over 200 charities and organizations in an official capacity. Organizations, she is involved with include:

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The Princess Royal and Timothy Laurence at the 2012 London Summer Olympics; Credit – www.zimbio.com

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.