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Hampers, Extraordinary Food & Joy-Giving Gifts

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Since 1707, Fortnum & Mason has been home to extraordinary hampers, delicious food, joy-giving gifts and unforgettable experiences.

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with the Bridesmaids and Page Boys, taken by photographer Alexi Lubomirski in the Green Drawing Room of Windsor Castle. #RoyalWedding

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with the Bridesmaids and Page Boys, taken by photographer Alexi Lubomirski in the Green Drawing Room of Windsor Castle. #RoyalWedding https://t.co/nFaPQSIzVl

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have released three official photographs from their Wedding day.

These photographs were taken by photographer Alexi Lubomirski at Windsor Castle, following the carriage procession. #RoyalWedding https://t.co/WBim9EkI4D

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with the Bridesmaids and Page Boys, taken by photographer Alexi Lubomirski in the Green Drawing Room of Windsor Castle. #RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/nFaPQSIzVl
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) May 21, 2018

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with the Bridesmaids and Page Boys, taken by photographer Alexi Lubomirski in the Green Drawing Room of Windsor Castle. #RoyalWedding https://t.co/nFaPQSIzVl

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have released three official photographs from their Wedding day.

These photographs were taken by photographer Alexi Lubomirski at Windsor Castle, following the carriage procession. #RoyalWedding https://t.co/WBim9EkI4D

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.metadata.attachment_props.original_text
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with the Bridesmaids and Page Boys, taken by photographer Alexi Lubomirski in the Green Drawing Room of Windsor Castle. #RoyalWedding https://t.co/nFaPQSIzVl

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.metadata.attachment_props.text
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with the Bridesmaids and Page Boys, taken by photographer Alexi Lubomirski in the Green Drawing Room of Windsor Castle. #RoyalWedding

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.metadata.attachment_props.referenced_tweets[].text
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have released three official photographs from their Wedding day.

These photographs were taken by photographer Alexi Lubomirski at Windsor Castle, following the carriage procession. #RoyalWedding https://t.co/WBim9EkI4D

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Going to a wedding is always fun, no matter what language you speak. Who doesn't love getting together with friends and family, attending a beautiful ceremony and going to an amazing party afterwards? Despite this, for students of English, going to a wedding where English will be the main language might also be a little stressful. That's why we put together this list of English wedding words.

In this lesson, you will learn all the vocabulary you need to be a guest at a wedding where English is spoken. After the lesson, you will also be able to tell your friends all about the experience.

This lesson is part of the Vocabulary Lessons series. Let's get started!
Click Here for Step-by-Step Rules, Stories and Exercises to Practice All English Tenses

In this lesson, we will cover these topics:

The Wedding Party
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The term wedding party is a little bit misleading. It doesn't refer to the celebration after the wedding - that's called the reception - but instead refers to the people who participate in the wedding. Let's take a look at who the members of the wedding party are.

Bride (noun)
The woman getting married

Groom (noun)
The man getting married

Bridesmaid (noun)
A woman, usually a close friend or relative of the bride, who accompanies the bride and helps her on her wedding day. It is typical for a bride to have 3-5 bridesmaids.

Maid of honor (noun)
The main bridesmaid. If she is married, she is referred to as the matron of honor.

Best man (noun)
A male friend or relative that helps the groom on his wedding day.

Bride's parents (noun)
The bride's parents are referred to as the mother of the bride and the father of the bride.

Groom's parents (noun)
The groom's parents are referred to as the mother of the groom and the father of the groom.

Flower girl (noun)
A little girl, often a relative of the bride or groom, who carries flowers at the start of the ceremony.

Ring bearer (noun)
The person who takes care of the rings until they are needed in the ceremony. Often a young boy who is a relative of the bride or groom.

Other important people at the wedding are:

Guests (noun)
The people who attend the wedding

Officiator (noun)
The person who performs the ceremony and officially marries the bride and groom

Photographer (noun)
Someone hired by the bride and groom to take pictures

Wedding planner (noun)
Someone hired to plan the wedding and who takes care of logistical details on the big day

Witness (noun)
Someone who observes the ceremony and signs the marriage certificate

Usher (noun)
The person who takes care of seating the guests before the ceremony

Wedding Attire
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One of the best parts of a wedding is dressing up in fancy clothes and admiring the clothes worn by the bride and other members of the wedding party. Let's take a look at some vocabulary for clothing.

Bridesmaid's dress (noun)
It is traditional for bridesmaids to wear matching dresses

Bouquet (noun)
Flowers carried by the bride

Engagement ring (noun)
The ring given to the bride when the groom first asks to marry her

Lace (noun)
Cotton or silk that has been woven into a special pattern. Often used to decorate the bride's dress

Sequins (noun)
Sparkly disks often used to decorate the bride's dress

Suit (noun)
A combination of jacket and trousers worn on formal occasions. At a wedding, typically worn by the groom

Train (noun)
A long piece of fabric at the back of the bride's dress that trails along the ground

Tuxedo (noun)
A black suit worn by men at very formal occasions

Wedding gown (noun)
A more formal word for the bride's dress

Wedding ring (noun)
The ring exchanged by the bride and groom during the ceremony. Sometimes called a wedding band

Veil (noun)
A piece of transparent material that covers the bride's face at the start of the ceremony

The Ceremony
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The two most common wedding ceremonies in English-speaking countries are civil ceremonies and traditional white weddings. Civil ceremonies are not religious and are held at a marriage bureau, a government office that has the authority to conduct weddings. Marriage bureaus are also called registry offices.

A traditional white wedding can be held in a church, synagogue, temple, or other religious places. Some couples prefer to get married outside and have the ceremony in a beautiful natural location such as a park or garden. White weddings have this name because the bride usually wears a white dress at these ceremonies. Let's look at some other vocabulary for the ceremony.

Aisle (noun)
The passage in the middle of a church or temple. It is traditional for the bride to walk down the aisle with her father or another close relative.

Confetti (noun)
Small pieces of paper thrown by the guests after the ceremony for good luck. Sometimes rice is thrown instead of confetti.

To exchange vows (verb)
The bride and groom each make a speech where they speak about their feelings for each other. When they do so, they are said to be exchanging vows.

To say "I do" (verb)
When the officiator asks the couple if they are ready to accept the responsibilities of marriage, it is traditional for the bride and groom to say, "I do."

To swear (verb)
To promise. Often the officiator will ask the couple if they swear to protect one another.

Wedding bells (noun)
At a white wedding, after the ceremony bells will ring. This is a sign that the couple is officially married.

Other expressions you may hear at a wedding are:

Please rise. (Please stand up, because the ceremony is about to begin.)

Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? and Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? (Are you ready to accept the responsibilities of marriage?)

You may now kiss the bride. (The most romantic part of the ceremony.)

I now pronounce you husband and wife. ( Pronounce here means "officially announce.") This marks the end of the ceremony and is usually met with applause.)

The Reception
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After the ceremony, it is traditional to celebrate the marriage with a party (called "the reception"). Wedding receptions usually involve a special meal followed by speeches, music and dancing. Useful words for the reception are:

Band or live band (noun)
A group of musicians hired to play music

Buffet (noun)
A meal where guests serve themselves

Champagne (noun)
It is traditional to celebrate with this fizzy drink

Dance floor (noun)
The place where dancing takes place

DJ (noun)
If there isn't a band, there will probably be a DJ. Sometimes the DJ will take requests, meaning that you can ask for songs that you would like to hear.

First dance (noun)
The first dance is another very romantic party of the wedding. This is the first time the couple dances together as husband and wife.

Hors d'oeuvres (noun)
Light snacks, typically eaten before the meal

To make a speech (verb)
It is traditional for members of the wedding party to say a few words about the bride and groom. Usually the best man, the maid of honor and the groom make speeches.

Reception venue (noun)
The place where the party is held

Sit down meal (noun)
At formal weddings, guests will be seated by name at tables and waiters and waitresses will bring them their food.

To toast or to make a toast (verb)
To clink glasses in celebration of the couple.

To throw the bouquet (verb)
It is traditional for the bride to throw the bouquet over her shoulder. The person who catches the bouquet is said to be the next person to get married.

Wedding cake (verb)
The traditional dessert at a wedding. Usually the wedding cake has miniature figurines of the bride and groom on top.

Other Wedding Vocabulary and Expressions
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Here is some other vocabulary you might need at the wedding!

Wedding invitation (noun)
The invitation the bride and groom send out inviting people to their wedding

Bachelor party (noun)
A party for the groom and his friends. Usually takes place a few weeks or months before the wedding. In Britain, this party is called a stag party or a stag do.

Bachelorette party (noun)
A party for the bride and her friends. Usually takes place a few weeks or months before the wedding. In Britain, this party is called a hen party or a hen do.

Bridal shower (noun)
A party for the bride and her family and friends. At the bridal shower it is traditional to give gifts. Usually the bridal shower is more relaxed than the bachelorette party.

To propose (verb)
To ask someone if they would like to marry you. Other expressions that describe this are to get down on one knee and to pop the question.

To elope (verb)
To get married in secret, without telling anyone

Engaged (adjective)
A man or a woman who is going to get married

Fiancé (noun)
After he proposes, but before he is married, the groom is referred to as the fiancé.

Fiancée (noun)
Before the wedding, the bride is referred to as the fiancée. (Pronounced the same as fiancé.)

Honeymoon (noun)
A special trip taken by the bride and groom after the wedding. The verb is to go on honeymoon.

Newlyweds (noun)
Refers to a couple that has just gotten married

Wedding gift (noun)
The present you give to the bride and groom

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English Vocabulary for Weddings (Illustrated)

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Going to a wedding is always fun, no matter what language you speak. Who doesn't love getting together with friends and family, attending a beautiful ceremony and going to an amazing party afterwards? Despite this, for students of English, going to a wedding where English will be the main language might also be a little stressful.

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William and Kate Royal Wedding

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Visit The Official Royal Palaces, Residences & Art Galleries

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Visit The Official Royal Palaces, Residences & Art Galleries

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Visit The Official Royal Palaces, Residences & Art Galleries

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The Kings and Queens of England have had a huge impact on the direction of the country throughout its long history. From William the Conqueror to Henry VIII's establishment of the Church of England and our own Queen Elizabeth II's unequalled years of service, we take a look at the men and women who have worn the English crown.

1. William the Conqueror

By http://wellcomeimages.org/indexplus/obf_images/b3/29/857d74e86ee484dc2bdcab124a17.jpg
Gallery: http://wellcomeimages.org/indexplus/image/L0003202.html, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=35865031

Also known as William I, William the Conqueror earned his nickname with his invasion of England in 1066. Victorious at the Battle of Hastings, he was crowned king just a few months later.

William was the first Norman King of England and ruled until his death in 1087. After his coronation, he made arrangements for the governance of England before returning to Normandy. Several rebellions followed but William's grip on the throne remained secure, allowing him to spend much of his time abroad.

His reign was marked by the building of many castles, including the central keep of the Tower of London. He also put in place a new system of military resourcing, requiring noble families to contribute soldiers to his army. By the time he died there had been a fundamental shift in England's upper classes, with most of the former Anglo-Saxon nobility replaced by Normans.

It was William who gave us one of the most important historical documents in English history: the Domesday Book. This survey of all the landowners in the country together with their holdings is an invaluable resource for both historians and economists. Today it is held at the National Archives at Kew and can also be viewed online.

2. William II

The third of four sons born to William the Conqueror and Matilda of Flanders, William II took the English throne in 1087 and ruled for thirteen years. Also known as William Rufus on account of either red hair or a florid complexion (Rufus being Latin for "the Red"), he does not seem to have been a popular ruler: according to the contemporary Anglo-Saxon Chronicles he was "hated by almost all his people and abhorrent to God."

William died in 1100 after being struck by an arrow whilst hunting, and some historians suspect he was murdered.

3. Henry I

Henry I became king on the death of his brother. The youngest son of William the Conqueror, Henry was an arch politician, skillfully manipulating the English barons and drawing on an extensive network of spies and informants.

His marriage to Matilda of Scotland resulted in a son and daughter but his son died at sea, throwing the succession into doubt. Henry took a second wife, Adeliza, in the hope she would bear him a legitimate son to add to the range of illegitimate offspring he had fathered with his various mistresses. The marriage, however, was childless, and Henry declared his daughter Matilda heir.

Despite these plans it was Henry's nephew Stephen, not Matilda, who succeeded him.

4. Stephen

Having been in negotiations with his uncle, Henry I, to succeed him to the English throne, Stephen of Blois did not take kindly to Henry's daughter, Matilda, being named as the King's heir. He mounted an invasion and seized the crown for himself, triggering a civil war and a period known as "the Anarchy".

Matilda's son Henry invaded England in his turn, but neither side had the stomach for a prolonged battle. When Stephen's eldest son died suddenly, Stephen agreed a treaty with Henry, gifting him the succession in return for peace.

5. Henry II

The first of the Plantagenet kings, Henry II had been involved in his mother Matilda's attempts to seize the throne from Stephen from a young age. His reign was marked by changes to the legal system which formed the basis of today's English Common Law.

In 1152 he married Eleanor of Aquitaine, whose marriage to Louis VII of France had been annulled. The couple had eight children, and Henry struggled to provide lands and power for all of them. Tensions over the succession culminated in rebellion, with Henry's son Richard opposing the King supported by Philip II of France. Defeated, Henry II retreated to Anjou where he died.

6. Richard I

Better known as Richard the Lionheart because of his reputation as a great warrior, Richard I ruled England from 1189 to his death a decade later.

Although his childhood was spent in England, after taking the throne he spent the majority of his adult life in the French region of Aquitaine, the homeland of his mother. He took part in the Crusades and conducted several foreign wars, with England apparently serving merely to provide resources for his armies. He died in 1199 as a result of a wound from a crossbow, leaving no legitimate heirs.

7. John

The youngest son of Henry II, John became his father's favourite by not involving himself in his elder brothers' rebellion. He was a contender for the throne on his father's death, but Richard prevailed and John had to await his brother's death in 1199 to take the crown.

Like so many other English monarchs, John's reign was marked by a series of conflicts with France and by skirmishes with rebellious barons. The latter resulted in the famous peace treaty of 1215, the Magna Carta - but neither side complied with its conditions. Civil war followed and John died of dysentery in 1216 whilst on campaign in the east of England.

8. Henry III

Henry III, the son of King John and his wife Isabella, was only nine years old when his father died. England was in the middle of the First Barons' War, and the young king relied heavily on the advice of senior ministers. In 1230 he invaded France in an attempt to win back the regions that had once been owned by his father. The invasion was a disaster and was quickly followed by a rebellion at home. Henry prevailed with the support of the Church and afterwards chose to rely on his own judgement to rule.

The latter years of his reign saw growing discontent, fuelled by Henry's expensive and unsuccessful foreign policies. The most rebellious of the barons, Simon de Montfort, seized power and triggered the Second Barons' War. Henry died in 1272 leaving the throne to his son, Edward.

9. Edward I

By Joseph Martin Kronheim (1810-96)[1] - →
This file has been extracted from another file: Pictures of English History - Plates XXV to XXVIII.jpg
, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1276009

Edward I was born in June 1239 and died in July 1307. Also known as Edward Longshanks, he reigned as King of England from 1272 until his death.

He inherited the throne from his father, Henry III, and had first-hand experience of the challenges of governing England. He had fought alongside Henry in the conflict known as the Second Barons' War, and was taken hostage by the rebellious barons at the Battle of Lewes. Escaping soon afterwards, he continued the fight and led the defeat of the rebels at the Battle of Evesham.

With the barons vanquished, Edward joined the Ninth Crusade to the Holy Land. He was on his way back to England when he heard the news that his father had died. He was clearly in no rush to assume the crown - it took over a year for him to complete the journey and his coronation did not take place until August 1274.

Edward's reign saw him suppress a series of rebellions, restoring royal authority over England. He also established Parliament as a permanent institution and created a functioning tax system. He strengthened the country's administration and codified English law.

Other aspects of Edward's legacy, however, were far from positive. His brutal treatment of England's northern neighbours earned him the nickname the "Hammer of the Scots". Jews were another target, and in 1290 Edward issued the Edict of Expulsion, formally expelling all Jews from the country. The edict was not to be overturned for over 350 years.

10. Edward II

Born in Caernafon Castle shortly after his father, Edward I, had gained control over Wales, Edward II is often known as Edward of Caernafon. When his father died in 1307 he inherited the throne, and with it conflict and tension with both Scotland and France.

Edward had marked favourites at court, and his close relationships with Piers Galveston and other young men fuelled opposition from the restive barons. Edward's wife, Isabella of France, also turned against him and sided with an English nobleman, Roger Mortimer, to launch an invasion. Edward fled to Wales but in 1327 was captured and forced to hand the throne to his son, Edward III.

11. Edward III

Crowned in 1327 at just fourteen years old after his mother had deposed his father, Edward III went on to reign for fifty years. His mother's lover, Roger Mortimer, had at first effectively ruled in the stead of the young king, but when Edward turned seventeen he led a coup and took personal control.

Having learned from his father's mistakes, he built strong alliances with the English aristocracy. His military adventures were largely successful, including several victories against the French during the Hundred Years War. In the later years of his reign, however, defeats in battle and the financial pressures of war led to rising tensions between the King and Parliament. After 1375 Edward withdrew from much of the day-to-day business of government and he died of a stroke two years later.

12. Richard II

Like his grandfather, Edward III, Richard became king at a young age, ascending to the throne at just ten years old. With the King too young to play a meaningful role in affairs of state, England was ruled by a series of councils. Richard's uncle, John of Gaunt, played a particularly influential role.

1381 saw the outbreak of the Peasants' Revolt and the young King played an important part in bringing the rebellion to an end. Later, however, conflict with England's aristocrats led to a period known as Richard's "tyranny" and when John of Gaunt died in 1399, Richard disinherited John's son, Henry of Bolingbroke. Henry responded by invading England and succeeded in seizing the throne. Richard died in captivity in 1400, probably starved to death.

13. Henry IV

The first monarch of the House of Lancaster, Henry was the son of John of Gaunt, the fourth son of Edward III. Born in Lincolnshire, he was the first king since the Norman Conquest to have English, rather than French, as his mother tongue.

Having deposed his cousin Richard II, Henry's first problem was what to do with his predecessor. That was solved by Richard's death in captivity under mysterious circumstances. Perhaps reaping what he had sown, Henry's reign was plagued by rebellions and assassination attempts, and despite having put Richard's body on display in St Paul's Cathedral there were persistent rumours that the former king was still alive.

Henry died of illness in 1413 and was buried at Canterbury Cathedral.

14. Henry V

This file has been provided by the British Library from its digital collections. It is also
By
Unknown miniaturist - made available on a British Library website.
Catalogue entry: Arundel MS 38
Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18112359

Born in 1386, Henry V ruled from 1413 until his death in 1422 at just 36 years old. The second monarch of the House of Lancaster, he assumed the throne soon after his father's death.

Henry was active in the Hundred Years War with France, winning his most famous victory at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. After months of negotiation, the Treaty of Troyes was agreed, recognising Henry as the rightful heir to the French throne. To cement the union, Henry married Catherine of Valois, daughter of Charles VI of France. The couple had one son who inherited the throne on Henry's death, becoming Henry VI.

15. Henry VI

The only son of Henry V, Henry became king in 1422 at just nine months old. Shortly afterwards, on the death of his maternal grandfather Charles VI, he also inherited the French throne.

A less welcome bequest was the continuing Hundred Years War, with Charles VII disputing Henry's claim to France. When in 1437 the King assumed personal rule he faced a parlous situation - divisions among the English nobility and military setbacks abroad. Shy, religious, and with a dislike of warfare he was not, it appeared, the man for the job.

In 1445 he married Charles's niece, Margaret of Anjou, in an attempt to bring the conflict with France to an end. The policy was not successful and by 1453 Calais was all that remained of England's territories in France.

Civil war broke out in 1459 and Henry was deposed two years later following defeat at the Battle of Trowton. He died in 1471 whilst in prison in the Tower of London, possibly murdered on the orders of his usurper, Edward IV.

16. Edward IV

The son of the third Duke of York, Edward IV was the first monarch of the House of York, one side in the long-running dynastic conflict, the Wars of the Roses.

When Edward took the throne in 1461 the majority of England's noble families still supported Henry VI. Edward relied strongly on the support of one family with extensive lands, the Nevilles, but when he chose to marry Elizabeth Woodville instead of either of the French princesses the Earl of Warwick, head of the Neville family, had been negotiating a marriage with, relations turned sour. In 1469 Warwick instigated a rebellion and Edward was captured. Warwick attempted to rule in Edward's name, but the nobles were restive and the King was released. Another rebellion followed and Henry VI was briefly restored to the throne, only to be captured again and later killed when Edward invaded.

Edward did not face any more rebellions for the rest of his reign, but in later years his health failed and he died in 1483. His Will named his brother Richard, Duke of Gloucester, as Protector to his son and successor, the twelve year old Edward V.

17. Edward V

Edward V and his younger brother, Richard of Shrewsbury, are better known as the Princes in the Tower, the two young boys whose disappearance has been a mystery for over 500 years.

When their father died in 1483, the young Edward and Richard were on their way to London when they were met by their uncle Richard, Duke of Gloucester. Richard dismissed Edward's entourage, escorted him to London and installed him in the Tower of London, where shortly afterwards he was joined by his brother.

Edward's coronation was repeatedly delayed and in June 1483 a sermon was preached throwing doubt on his claim to the throne. On 25 June Parliament declared Richard the rightful king and in the coming months the two young princes disappeared from public view. Various theories have been advanced as to their fate, but the most widely held belief is that they were murdered in the Tower on the orders of their uncle.

18. Richard III

King for only two years, Richard III was the last of the Yorkist monarchs. He took the throne in the place of his nephew, Edward V, who had been expected to succeed his father, Edward IV. Before the young Edward was crowned, however, the marriage of his parents was ruled bigamous and Edward illegitimate. Richard was declared the rightful king and Edward and his brother disappeared from public view, with rumours that the two princes had been killed on Richard's orders.

Richard faced two rebellions as king. The first, led by Richard's former ally, Henry Stafford, second Duke of Buckingham, took place just three months into his reign but soon collapsed. The second followed less than two years later, when Henry Tudor raised an army and engaged Richard at the Battle of Bosworth Field. Richard was killed and his body buried without ceremony in Leicester. His remains were later moved and their location lost until an archaeological excavation in 2012 uncovered them in a Leicester carpark. They were reburied in Leicester Cathedral in 2015.

19. Henry VII

The last king of England to win the throne on the field of battle, Henry VII was the first of the Tudor monarchs and ruled from 1485 until his death in 1509. After the bloodshed of the Wars of the Roses, Henry sought to reinforce his position by marrying Elizabeth of York, daughter of Edward IV and niece of Richard III. The union of the two warring families was symbolised by the Tudor rose, which combined the white rose of the House of York with the red rose of the House of Lancaster.

Henry was successful in restoring the monarch's authority and concentrated on raising new revenues rather than spending money on costly foreign wars. His stand-off with the Low Countries over the wool trade resulted in a treaty that was highly favourable to English merchants and had major benefits for the economy.

Henry died of tuberculosis in 1509. His eldest son, Arthur, had already died of illness and the throne passed to his second son, Henry VIII.

20. Henry VIII

Workshop of Hans Holbein the Younger 1497/8 (German)
By Details of artist on Google Art Project - eAHC0d0WiemXSA at Google Cultural Institute Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21878559

Henry VIII was born on June 28 1491 and reigned from 1509 until he died in January 1547.

The second of the Tudor monarchs, Henry is perhaps best known for having six wives in his lifetime, two of whom he had beheaded.

It was Henry's wish to divorce his first wife, Katherine of Aragon, that led to England's break with the Roman Catholic Church and the establishment of the Church of England. Wishing to marry Ann Boleyn and secure a male heir, Henry expected his previous loyal service to the Church to be rewarded by the Pope's agreement to annul his marriage to Katherine. Unfortunately for him, the Pope was more concerned about the wrath of Katherine's nephew, the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, who had earlier that year sacked Rome and briefly taken the Pope prisoner.

Thwarted, Henry summoned Parliament and with the help of his chief minister, Thomas Cromwell, succeeded in gaining its agreement to end papal supremacy and make Henry head of the Church of England. It was perhaps one of the most transformative decisions by any monarch in English history, and the union between Church and monarchy remains to this day.

21. Edward VI

The son of Henry VIII and his third wife, Jane Seymour, Edward VI was nine years old when he became king and was the first ruler to have been raised a Protestant. Too young to rule himself, England was governed by a council throughout his reign. Nevertheless, Edward took a keen interest in religious matters and under his leadership the Church of England became further divorced from Catholic doctrine. Celibacy for priests was ended and English, rather than Latin, became the compulsory language of church services.

In 1553, Edward became ill and plans were drawn up to avoid the country reverting to Catholicism on his death. Edward named his cousin, Lady Jane Grey, his heir, but the succession was disputed and Edward's half-sister Mary took the throne only nine days into Jane's reign.

22. Mary I

Mary was the only child of Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon, to survive into adulthood. Mary reigned from 1553 until her death five years later.

Raised a Catholic, Mary's driving ambition was to restore England to what she considered the true faith. She had nearly 300 religious dissenters burned at the stake, earning her the sobriquet "Bloody Mary". In 1558 she married Philip of Spain in the hope of producing an heir that would prevent the throne from passing to her Protestant half-sister Elizabeth on her death. The marriage was bitterly opposed by the English nobility, but their pleas to Mary to marry an Englishman instead fell on deaf ears. Rebellion broke out but was quashed, and although Elizabeth declared her innocence of any involvement Mary had her imprisoned in the Tower of London.

The marriage to Philip did not produce a child and when Mary became ill in 1558 she was forced to recognise Elizabeth as her rightful heir. She died that November and, despite her wish to be buried with her mother, was interred in Westminster Abbey in a tomb she would eventually share with Elizabeth.

23. Elizabeth I

By David Williamson, ISBN 1855142287., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6639542

Elizabeth I was born on 7 September 1533 to Anne Boleyn and King Henry VIII.

When she was just two years old her mother was beheaded by the King. The young Elizabeth could never have expected to take the throne herself - both her half-brother Edward, son of Jane Seymour, and her half-sister Mary, daughter of Katherine of Aragon, were ahead of her in the line of succession. But Edward and Mary died childless and in 1558 Elizabeth was crowned Queen of England and Ireland.

After Mary I's blood-soaked efforts to re-establish the Roman Catholic Church in England, Elizabeth returned England to Protestantism. Hers, however, was a pragmatic faith: provided that her subjects were outwardly observant, she said she "would not open windows into men's souls."

Often considered a "golden age" for England, it was Elizabeth's reign that saw one of Britain's greatest military victories, when her Navy defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588. William Shakespeare flourished and English explorers like Francis Drake prevailed.

Having seen her father's example of matrimonial behaviour, it is perhaps unsurprising that the so-called Virgin Queen never married. Her death in 1603 marked the end of the Tudor dynasty.

24. James I

By unknown, English School - http://www.philipmould.com/zoom.php?sid=2454&p=sa, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6968064

James I was born in 1566 and died in 1625. The son of Mary, Queen of Scots, he had ascended to the Scottish throne as James VI in 1567. He was also, however, the great, great grandson of Henry VII, and on the childless Elizabeth's death in 1603 he was next in line to the English throne. As such, he became the first monarch to rule both England and Scotland.

After assuming the English Crown James based himself south of the border, returning to Scotland only once before his death. He survived two conspiracies in the first year of his reign and in 1605 escaped a well known assassination attempt - the Gunpowder Plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament, still commemorated as Bonfire Night every 5th of November.

Growing financial pressures on the Crown led to a prickly relationship between James and Parliament, who proved reluctant to grant him the subsidies he required. The King also refused to bow to Parliamentary pressure to go to war with Spain, granting England a period of uninterrupted peace during his reign.

He died in 1625 after a period of illness and the throne passed to his son, Charles.

25. Charles I

By Follower of Anthony van Dyck - she-philosopher.com(original upload)
Sothebys 2012 (higher resolution upload), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3852590

Charles I was the second son of James, and succeeded to the throne as the result of the death of his older brother, Henry, from typhoid fever at just 18 years old. Under Charles, the disputes with Parliament that had characterised his father's reign became ever more heated. His marriage to a French princess fuelled concerns that he was leading England's return to Catholicism, while his attempts to raise money by levying taxes without Parliament's consent led to outright opposition.

The situation deteriorated until 1642 saw the outbreak of the English Civil War between the King's supporters, known as Cavaliers, and the Parliamentary army, the Roundheads. In 1647, after a series of defeats on the battlefield, Charles placed himself into the hands of the Scottish Presbyterian army. After months of negotiations, the Scots handed him to the Parliamentary commissioners and after a failed escape attempt Charles was imprisoned in Carisbrooke Castle.

Charles was charged with treason but continued to argue that no-one had authority over a king, whose right to rule had been granted by God. The court disagreed, found him guilty and sentenced him to death.

On the day of his execution, Charles asked for a second shirt as the weather was cold and he did not want to shiver and have the crowd believe him afraid. His head was severed in a single, clean stroke by an executioner whose identity was kept secret. It was displayed to the crowd and afterwards stitched back onto his body for his burial in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.

26. Charles II

By John Michael Wright - Scanned from the book The National Portrait Gallery History of the Kings and Queens of England by David Williamson, ISBN 1855142287., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6639427

After the death of Charles I, England was ruled directly by Parliament for four years until Oliver Cromwell became Lord Protector. Five years later Cromwell died and his son, Richard, briefly took the title before being removed from power. Almost a year of anarchy followed until Parliament invited the dead king's son, Charles II, to return from exile in mainland Europe and take back the throne.

Charles returned to London in 1660 on his thirtieth birthday. While he and Parliament granted amnesty to almost all of Cromwell's supporters, some fifty people were excluded and nine of those who had signed Charles I's death warrant were executed. The body of Oliver Cromwell was exhumed and decapitated.

A popular king, Charles was known as the Merry Monarch. Under his reign, the theatres that had been closed during the Protectorate reopened, staging bawdy comedies where female parts were played by their "natural performers", rather than by boys as had previously been the case.

Charles had no children with his wife, but acknowledged no fewer than twelve illegitimate offspring with various mistresses. On his death he was succeeded by his brother, James.

27. James II

James came to the throne in 1685 and ruled until he was deposed in the "Glorious Revolution" of 1688. The second surviving son of Charles I, he was viewed with suspicion by the English nobility who were concerned that he was pro-Catholic and intended to rule without the consent of Parliament. When James produced a Catholic heir, the nobles asked his Protestant nephew and son-in-law, William of Orange, to lead an invasion. William complied and James fled to France whereupon the throne passed to his daughter, Mary II.

James attempted to regain the crown, landing a force at Ireland in 1689. His army was defeated at the Battle of the Boyne and James spent the remainder of his life at the French court.

28. Mary II

Mary ruled with her husband, William III, from 1689 until her death in 1694. When her husband was in England she ceded most of her authority to him, but in his absence on military campaigns she proved herself a decisive and effective ruler.

The eldest daughter of James II and his first wife, Anne Hyde, Mary was brought up an Anglican. She married William of Orange in 1677 and became pregnant soon afterwards. Sadly, the pregnancy ended in a miscarriage which it seems may have permanently damaged her ability to have children. Her childlessness was a source of great grief to the Queen.

In 1694 she became ill with smallpox, dying just after Christmas. Her death left William heartbroken and she was widely mourned by her subjects.

29. William III

By Rept0n1x - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15275677

Born into his role as the Prince of Orange in 1650, William III ruled from 1689 until he died in 1702. Widely known as William of Orange he is also referred to by the somewhat less formal title of "King Billy" in Northern Ireland and Scotland.

William married his fifteen-year old first cousin, Mary, in 1677. Eleven years later, he invaded England to seize the throne from his Catholic father-in-law, James, in what became known as the "Glorious Revolution". With James defeated, he and Mary ruled as joint sovereigns until her death in 1694.

Heralded by many as a champion of Protestantism, William joined coalitions of both Protestant and Catholic powers to fight France's Catholic king, Louis XIV. His reign also saw the passing of one of the most significant documents in English history, the Bill of Rights. This imposed limits on the monarch's power, including prohibiting him from suspending laws passed by Parliament or levying taxes without Parliament's consent.

The Bill also set out who would inherit the throne on the death of William and Mary and barred any Roman Catholic, or anyone married to a Catholic, from becoming king or queen - a prohibition that continues to this day.

30. Anne

The younger sister of Mary II, Anne came to the throne in 1702 after the death of Mary's husband, William III. It was during her reign that the Acts of Union united England and Scotland as a single sovereign realm. The era also saw the growth of two-party politics. The Whigs were broadly aligned with commercial interests and Protestants seeking to break away from the Church of England, while the Tories - whom Anne favoured - supported the Anglican Church and the landed gentry.

Anne had married George of Denmark in 1683. She suffered ill-health throughout her life, and despite becoming pregnant no less than seventeen times a series of miscarriages, stillbirths and infant deaths saw her die in 1714 without issue.

31. George I

After Queen Anne died childless the throne passed to her cousin, George I. The 1701 Act of Settlement had barred Catholics from the succession and George was the nearest Protestant relative. At 56 years old, he became the first monarch of the House of Hanover.

George's reign saw the power of the monarchy diminish and a system of cabinet government begin to emerge. Shortly after his coronation the Whig party won an overwhelming victory in the general election of 1715 and the party grew in dominance through his reign. Real political power came to be exercised by Sir Robert Walpole, who became Britain's first de facto Prime Minister.

George died of a stroke during a trip to his native Hanover. He was succeeded by his son, George Augustus.

32. George II

The last English monarch to be born outside Britain, George was born and brought up in Germany. He gained the throne in 1727 and ruled until his death in 1760.

With Parliament's power growing, George exercised little control over domestic policy and spent much of his time in Hanover. He participated in the Battle of Dettingen, part of the War of Austrian Succession in 1743, making him the last British monarch to lead an army in battle.

An attempt to depose him in 1745 in favour of the Catholic James Francis Edward Stuart failed, and he remained King until his death at the age of 77. His legacy includes the donation of the royal library to the British Museum.

33. George III

By Workshop of Allan Ramsay - Unknown, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1621850

George III became King of Great Britain and Ireland in 1760, ruling until his death in 1820.

A member of the House of Hanover, George's rule saw Britain defeat France in the Seven Years' War. While that victory saw the country become the dominant power in North America and India, it was soon followed by the loss of the British Colonies in the American War of Independence. More wars with France were to follow, culminating in Napoleon's defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

The latter years of George's rule were marred by mental illness. The King's own view was that his malady had been exacerbated by the stress caused by the death of his youngest and favourite daughter, Princess Amelia. The following year, in light of his poor health, his eldest son, George, Prince of Wales was made Regent, ruling in his father's stead until the King's death.

35. George IV

George IV inherited the throne from his father, George, III in 1820 and ruled for ten years. An arbiter of fashion and taste, his extravagant lifestyle and treatment of his wife, Caroline of Brunswick, nevertheless attracted the scorn of the people.

George had little involvement in the government of the country as either Prince Regent or King, leaving affairs of state to the Prime Minister, Lord Liverpool. His Ministers considered him irresponsible, while taxpayers condemned his profligacy.

His only legitimate offspring, his daughter Princess Charlotte, died before him in 1817. When in 1830 George followed her into the ground, he was succeeded by his younger brother, William.

35. William IV

After his two older brothers died childless, William ascended the throne in 1830 at the grand old age of 64. His reign saw the reform of the poor law, the introduction of restrictions on child labour and the abolition of slavery across most of the British Empire. Although he did not involve himself greatly in politics, he was conscientious in his duties: his first Prime Minister, Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, stated that he had done more business with him in ten minutes than he had managed with his predecessor, George IV, in as many days.

William married Princess Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen but their two daughters died young. Both William and Adelaide were fond of their niece, Victoria, who would inherit the throne on William's death - but their relationship with her mother, the Duchess of Kent, was of a different kind. William publicly expressed the wish that he would live until Victoria turned eighteen so that she could rule without her mother's involvement. He died at Windsor Castle in 1837, just after Victoria's eighteenth birthday.

36. Victoria

By Henry Pierce Bone - Royal Collection RCIN 422373, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=636543

Victoria was born in May 1819 and ruled from 1837 until her death in 1901.

(NB We now have a longer post dedicated to Queen Victoria here)

At her birth, she was fifth in line to the throne - but when three of her grandfather's four sons all died without legitimate heirs, the eighteen year old Victoria was crowned Queen.

After the Indian Rebellion in 1857, the East India Company was dissolved and British territories on the Indian subcontinent became part of the British Empire. Victoria saw "Empress of India" added to her titles.

The Queen married her cousin, Prince Albert, and had nine children. Following Albert's death in 1861, Victoria went into deep mourning. Tragically her second daughter, Alice, died of diphtheria on the anniversary of Albert's death, a coincidence that the Queen called "almost incredible and most mysterious."

Victoria avoided public appearances in her widowhood and her invisibility saw a temporary growth in republican sentiment. By the time of her Golden and Diamond Jubilees, however, her popularity had recovered and both occasions saw great public celebration.

Victoria died at the age of 81. Her favourite pet dog, Turi, was placed on her deathbed as her last request and she was buried alongside Prince Albert in Frogmore Mausoleum in Windsor Great Park.

37. Edward VII

The eldest son of Victoria and Albert, Edward VII ruled from 1901 until his death in 1909. His mother's long reign meant that he had been heir apparent and Prince of Wales for longer than any of his predecessors, travelling throughout Britain and abroad to perform ceremonial duties.

As king, he showed a keen interest in foreign affairs and his cordial relations with France earned him the nickname "Peacemaker". His reign saw significant social and technological change in Britain, including the invention of steam propulsion and the growth of socialism. At one point, Edward was so depressed at the tone of class warfare in Parliamentary debates that he introduced his son to the Secretary of State for War as "the last king of England".

A heavy smoker, he suffered increasingly from bouts of bronchitis towards the end of his life and died in 1910 after a series of heart attacks.

38. George V

George was the second son of Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. He became heir apparent when his elder brother, Albert, died in 1892 and ascended the throne on his father's death in 1910.

His reign saw the expansion of the British Empire to its greatest ever extent, while abroad the empires of his cousins Wilhelm II of Germany and Nicholas II of Russia crumbled as a result of the First World War. In 1917 he changed the name of the royal House from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to Windsor, in the face of anti-German sentiment.

George was plagued by smoking-related illnesses for much of his later life and in 1928 he fell seriously ill with septicaemia. He was never fully to recover and died in 1936. His physician, Lord Penn, admitted in his diaries that he had hastened the King's death with two lethal injections, claiming that he had done so to preserve the King's dignity and prevent further strain on the family.

39. Edward VIII

The eldest son of George V and Mary of Teck, Edward VIII was king from January 1936 until his abdication in December of the same year.

Careless of court protocol, Edward caused a sensation only months into his reign when he proposed marriage to American divorcée Wallis Simpson. A marriage to a woman who had divorced two husbands would have been both socially unacceptable and incompatible with the monarch's position as head of the Church of England, which at the time refused to condone marriage after divorce whilst a former spouse was still alive.

Edward knew that if he went ahead with the marriage the British Government would have to resign, triggering a general election and throwing into question his own political neutrality. Faced with the choice of the throne or Wallis, Edward chose Wallis. His reign of 326 days is among the shortest in British history.

40. George VI

Known as "Bertie" to his family and close friends, George VI was named after his grandfather, Prince Albert. As the second son of George V, he had never expected to become king and the abdication of his brother Edward VIII to marry Wallis Simpson placed on him an unwelcome burden. The day before the abdication he went to visit his mother, Queen Mary, reporting, "When I told her what had happened, I broke down and sobbed like a child."

On taking the throne, Albert assumed the name George to reflect continuity with his father and restore confidence in the monarchy after the turbulence of Edward VIII's short reign. He received speech therapy for a stammer in the mid 1920s - as dramatised in the film The King's Speech - but never completely overcame the impediment.

King throughout the Second World War, George and his wife, Elizabeth, visited bomb sites, munition factories and troops throughout Britain to raise morale. The King also visited troops abroad in France, North Africa, Malta, Italy and the Netherlands.

He died in his sleep of a coronary thrombosis, aged 56.

41. Elizabeth II

By NASA/Bill Ingalls - http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/news/topstory/2007/queen_egress_8.html, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2694860

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was born April 21, 1926 and since 1952 has reigned as Queen of the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and Australia and Head of the Commonwealth.

The eldest daughter of George VI and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, it was clear after the abdication of her uncle Edward VIII in 1936 that Elizabeth would one day be called to the throne. She began to undertake public duties when she turned 21, including serving in the Auxiliary Territorial Service during the Second World War.

She married Prince Philip in 1947 and was crowned Queen five years later. She and Philip have four children: Charles, Prince of Wales and heir to the throne, Anne, Andrew and Edward. Her reign has seen constitutional change with the devolution of Scotland and Wales, and Africa's decolonisation.

The longest living monarch in British history, the Queen is also the oldest monarch in the world. Her Diamond Jubilee in 2012 saw public celebrations take place around the world and on 6 February 2017 she became the first British monarch to commemorate a Sapphire Jubilee.

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The Kings And Queens of England: From William the Conqueror To Elizabeth II

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The Kings and Queens of England have had a huge impact on the direction of the country throughout its long history. From William the Conqueror to Henry VIII's establishment of the Church of England and our own Queen Elizabeth II's unequalled years of service, we take a look at the men and women who have worn the English crown.

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The British Monarchy has acquired residences across Great Britain through the centuries and moulded them to their own preferences. We look at the top five royal residences, how they were acquired, how they have changed over the centuries and the use that Queen Elizabeth II and her family use them now.
Buckingham Palace
You might be mistaken in thinking that Buckingham Palace, with its imposing position at the end of The Mall, was built as a Royal Palace, but in fact, as the name suggests it was originally Buckingham House and the residence of the Duke of Buckingham. The land had been in royal hands in the time of William I and had passed in and out of royal hands through the centuries. The land was acquired by the Duke of Buckingham in the late seventeenth century, and he had a townhouse built on the site by 1703.

Part of the site, which was leased by the Duke was a former mulberry garden owned by the Crown dating back to a time when King Henry VIII purchased St James's Palace. Buckingham House was purchased by King George III in 1761 as a private retreat for Queen Charlotte, and the majority of her children were born there. From the late eighteenth century, it was referred to as Buckingham Palace although the administrative centre of the monarchy remained at St James's Palace.

In 1820, King George IV came to the throne, and it was he, with architect John Nash, who began enlarging the palace to the size it is now. Sadly, King George died before its completion, and Nash was sacked for overspending. King William IV employed Charles Blore to finish the work but died before the tasks were completed. Queen Victoria was the first monarch to call the Palace a royal residence, though she used it little in later years. It was at the beginning of the twentieth century when the real use of the Palace began.

Certain parts of the Palace are open to the public, and of course, the Changing of the Guard is a ceremony which is a must for many tourists visiting London.
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle has been the home of the English monarchy for over one thousand years, and it is the favourite retreat of Queen Elizabeth II when she has a private weekend. It is the largest and oldest inhabited Castle in the world and still the home of many state occasion - including next years wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the splendid St George's Chapel.

The original castle was built in the time of William I and was not intended as a Royal Palace, but as part of a defensive ring of castles about one day's march (20 miles) from London, so that reinforcements could always be drafted in for places such as The Tower of London. It was not until the time of Henry I that the monarch began living at the Castle and slowly through the reigns of Henry II, John and Henry III substantial improvements were made, with high-status accommodation as well as defensive works, as the Castle was successfully defended from a siege during the second Barons War.

Perhaps the most famous period in the Castle's history is during the reign of Edward III. He instigated the Order of the Garter, which was based at Windsor and spent a lot of money upgrading and improving the Castle. It was said to be the largest and most expensive building project of the Middle Ages, but not all the money came from England - some came as a result of successful battles during the Hundred Years War against France.

Throughout the centuries, Windsor has been not only attractive to the monarchy, but also many visitors of the Crown, especially with its close vicinity to Windsor Great Forest and many a monarch went hunting there. Windsor still provides a welcome for visitors, and occasionally some of the State Visits of leaders are conducted to Windsor rather than Buckingham Palace. The Castle also provides a base for Queen Elizabeth during June for Royal Ascot, which is preceded on the Monday by the annual garter ceremony. The Castle is also the only royal residence apart from Buckingham Palace which has an official Changing of the Guard ceremony.
Palace of Holyrood House
Holyrood House is The Queen's Official residence in Scotland and is situated in Edinburgh at the lower end of the Royal Mile which links it to Edinburgh Castle. The current palace was built in the 1670s, but on a site, that had been connected with the Scottish Royal Family for centuries. Holyrood Abbey was founded on the site on the orders of King David I in 1128. Some two centuries later, the Abbey had become an important administrative centre thanks to its closeness to Edinburgh Castle, and it is thought by this time the Abbey guesthouse was being used as a royal residence.

Throughout the fifteenth century, the abbey was the location of many of the marriages and burials of the Scottish Kings, however, between 1501 and 1505 James IV of Scotland erected a new baroque style palace adjacent to the Abbey. Perhaps driven by his impending marriage to Margaret Tudor, they were married in the Abbey, and the Palace was finished shortly after. Sadly, the first century was challenging for the Palace, and it was attacked twice, and in 1603 it ceased to be the home of the King when James VI went down to London to become King James I of England. The Palace was further damaged during the Commonwealth period.

It was not until the nineteenth century that the Palace of Holyrood came back into royal favour, and nowadays The Queen is in residence at the beginning of the summer each year and carries out a number of investitures and engagements. Prince Charles also spends some time in residence at Holyrood as Duke of Rothesay.
Balmoral
The Balmoral estate is in Royal Deeside near Aberdeen, and whereas the first three are official residences of the monarch, Balmoral is a private residence owned by The Queen and has been passed down since the estate was bought by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in the late 1840's. The Queens doctor had recommended Deeside as having a healthier climate than other areas in Scotland that she had stayed previously. Prince Albert bought out the lease, and then later bought the estate.

Queen Victoria liked the area as being one where she could relax away from the travails of what was happening in the world at that time. For Prince Albert, the scenery in the area was very similar to Thuringia in Germany where he was born and grew up. However, the existing house proved too small for the couple, and Prince Albert arranged to have a new building built in the Scottish Baronial style.

The building was designed by William Smith, whose father John had designed improvements to the original building. The construction was finished in 1856, and by the autumn of the next year a new bridge across the Dee had been designed and built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. One of the places the new Castle enabled The Queen to visit was the Highland Games at Braemar, a tradition that has continued to the current day.

Many of the monarchs and their consorts through the twentieth century have made subtle changes to the Castle and its layout, the latest being the Duke of Edinburgh who added herbaceous borders and a water garden. As the property is inherited, rather than following the crown, ownership of Balmoral and Sandringham passed to Edward VIII, following the abdication an arrangement was made and both properties were purchased by King George VI.
Sandringham House
Sandringham House in Norfolk is, as indicated above, a private residence of the monarch - although that was not the original reason the house was purchased by the Royal Family. The house was bought by Queen Victoria at the behest of her son the Prince of Wales following his marriage to Princess Alexandra who found the Norfolk countryside similar to her native Denmark. It is possible the Prince also enjoyed the shoots which are still some of the finest in the country.

The house was extended twice first by the Prince of Wales when in fact he had a house knocked down and another built by A J Hubert. This was further extended towards the end of the nineteenth century.

When Queen Victoria died, King Edward VII retained Sandringham for himself, when he died in 1910 Queen Alexandra continued to live in the "Big House" until her death in 1925, King George V used the smaller York Cottage, which had been built in the grounds by his father. Both King George V and King George VI passed away at Sandringham. It is now customary for The Queen to spend Christmas at Sandringham and stay on until February so that she is there for the anniversary of his death and her accession to the throne.

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The British Monarchy has acquired residences across Great Britain through the centuries and moulded them to their own preferences. We look at the top five royal residences, how they were acquired, how they have changed over the centuries and the use that Queen Elizabeth II and her family use them now.

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Although no longer used as a residence of the Sovereign, St. James's Palace is the senior and official palace of the British Monarchy. Used primarily for official functions and office space, it also contains the London residences of The Princess Royal and Princess Alexandra, The Hon. Lady Ogilvy. Princess Beatrice of York has an apartment here as well.

Click HERE for our in-depth article about St. James's Palace and York House!

Perhaps one of the most recognized buildings in the world, Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, as well as the offices of the Monarchy. The Palace also contains the official London residences and offices of The Duke of York and The Earl and Countess of Wessex, as well as the offices of The Princess Royal and Princess Alexandra, The Hon. Lady Ogilvy.

Click HERE for our in-depth article about Buckingham Palace!

Windsor Castle is another of The Queen's official residences, and where she spends most weekends. Originally built as a fortress by William the Conqueror, the Castle is considered the largest inhabited castle in the world, and the oldest continually occupied. Within the Castle is St George's Chapel, the site of many royal weddings through the years, and the home of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. It is here that the annual Garter Day service and procession take place.

In the surrounding Home Park and Windsor Great Park are many current and former royal residences, including Royal Lodge, Frogmore House, Cumberland Lodge, and Fort Belvedere (amongst others).

Click HERE for our in-depth article about Windsor Castle!

The Palace of Holyroodhouse is The Queen's official residence in Scotland, situated at one end of the Royal Mile, in the 'Old Town' area of Edinburgh. The Queen traditionally spends a week in residence at the end of June. This was the site of the first garden party, held by The Queen's grandparents, King George V and Queen Mary - a tradition that continues to this day.

Click HERE for our in-depth article about the Palace of Holyroodhouse!

Hillsborough Castle is the official residence used by The Queen and Royal Family when visiting Northern Ireland, although its primary use is as the residence of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

Originally purchased as a home for the future King Edward VII, Sandringham House remains one of the privately owned homes of The Sovereign. The Queen traditionally spends the Christmas holiday here with the royal family, and remains in residence until February, after the anniversary of her accession to the throne.

Within the grounds are several other residences, including:

York Cottage - formerly the home of the future King George V and Queen Mary, now primarily offices
Park House - birthplace of Diana, Princess of Wales, now operated as the Park House Hotel
Anmer Hall - the country home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
Wood Farm - often used for former spouses and other guests during the holidays

Click HERE for our in-depth article about Sandringham House!

Balmoral was originally purchased by Queen Victoria and remains the private property of The Sovereign. The Queen traditionally spends August and September at Balmoral.

Click HERE for our in-depth article about Balmoral Castle!

Clarence House is the official London residence of The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall. Located just east of Buckingham Palace, along The Mall, it is attached to St James' Palace. Clarence House is most commonly associated with The Queen Mother, who lived here for nearly 50 years, until her death in 2002.

Click HERE for our in-depth article about Clarence House!

Owned by the Duchy of Cornwall, Highgrove House has been the country home of The Prince of Wales since 1981.

Owned by the Duchy of Cornwall, Llwynywermod has been the Welsh home of The Prince of Wales since 2008.

Located on The Queen's Balmoral Estate, Birkhall is the Scottish residence of The Prince of Wales. It was formerly the home of The Queen Mother.

Located in Windsor Great Park, Royal Lodge is the official residence of The Duke of York, leased from the Crown Estate. It had been, for over 70 years, the private residence of The Queen Mother. Within the grounds is a small cottage, Y Bwthyn Bach, which was a gift to the then Princess Elizabeth in 1932 from the people of Wales. (visible in the photo above, at the bottom, center.)

Click HERE for our in-depth article about Royal Lodge!

Leased from the Crown Estate, Bagshot Park is the official residence of The Earl and Countess of Wessex.

Click HERE for our in-depth article about Bagshot Park!

Gatcombe Park is the privately owned residence of The Princess Royal and her husband, Vice-Admiral Tim Laurence. Originally purchased by The Queen as a wedding gift for her daughter, the property was later expanded to include the neighboring Aston Farm. After divorcing, Princess Anne retained Gatcombe Park while her first husband, Mark Phillips, retained the Aston Farm estate where he still lives. Gatcombe Park is the site of several equestrian events throughout the year.

Kensington Palace, just west of Buckingham Palace is the London home of several members of the Royal Family. The Palace contains the apartments of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (Apt.#1A), The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester (Apt.#1) and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent (Apt.#10). The grounds also contain the homes of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank (Ivy Cottage), and The Duke and Duchess of Kent (Wren House), as well as Nottingham Cottage, which was once the home of the Duke an Duchess of Cambridge prior to their move to Apt.#1a, and the Duke of Sussex prior to their move to Frogmore Cottage at Windsor. Notable former residents at Kensington Palace include Diana, Princess of Wales and The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon. The palace also contains the offices of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The offices of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are there currently, but will be moving to Windsor Castle in the near future.

Formerly the official residence of the monarch, the last Sovereign to live here was George II. It was at Kensington Palace in 1837 that the young Princess Victoria learned that she had become Queen, at which point she moved to Buckingham Palace.

Thatched House Lodge
Richmond upon Thames

Thatched House Lodge is the private residence of the Queen's cousin, Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy. It is leased from the Crown Estate.

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Although no longer used as a residence of the Sovereign, St. James's Palace is the senior and official palace of the British Monarchy. Used primarily for official functions and office space, it also contains the London residences of The Princess Royal and Princess Alexandra, The Hon. Lady Ogilvy.

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Ascending to the throne in 1952, Queen Elizabeth II is the longest-reigning monarch in British history. See her life in photos.

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Queen Elizabeth II is turning 90. Come with me to London and let’s celebrate her birthday!”

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Queen Elizabeth II is turning 90. Come with me to London and let’s celebrate her birthday!”

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The wedding of Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle

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The wedding of Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle

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British Royal Family - The British Monarchy

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A guide to the British Royal Family through the eyes of students who live in England. Answers to the most asked questions about the UK Monarchy

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's elegant wedding invites

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's elegant wedding invites

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The invitations follow many years of royal tradition, the Palace says, having been made by Barnard Westwood.

They feature the Three-Feathered Badge of the Prince of Wales printed on gold ink.

Further details of the royal wedding have been released by the palace, who have said that guests will attend the service at St George's Chapel and a lunchtime reception at St George's Hall, hosted by the queen.

Later that evening "around 200 guests" will attend the reception at Frogmore House, hosted by the groom's father the Prince of Wales.

The announcements come as the wedding draws ever closer, with just under two months to go until the highly anticipated day.

Bernard Westwood have been making Royal invitations since 1985, and Managing Director Austen Kopley said he was thrilled and honoured to be making them, the Palace announced on Twitter today.

Invitations to the wedding of Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle have been issued in the name of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. pic.twitter.com/jidwuYboon
- Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) March 22, 2018

The invites were created using America ink on English card, with a nod to the bride's home country. They were printed in gold and black, and then burnished to bring out the shine before being gilded around the edge.

Earlier this week the palace confirmed that the royal wedding cake would be made by London based baker Claire Ptak.

The cake will be an untraditional style, with buttercream icing and decorated with fresh flowers.

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Kensington Palace reveals Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's elegant wedding invites

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The invitations follow many years of royal tradition, the Palace says, having been made by Barnard Westwood. They feature the Three-Feathered Badge of the Prince of Wales printed on gold ink. Further details of the royal wedding have been released by the palace, who have said that guests will attend the service at St George's Chapel and a lunchtime reception at St George's Hall, hosted by the queen.

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The Dress Code for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Wedding

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The Dress Code for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Wedding

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Meghan Markle has been known to bend the royal rules when it comes to her attire, but the dress code for her wedding is strictly by the book: day dresses and hats for the women; and uniforms, morning coats, or lounge suits for the men.

She and her soon-to-be husband Prince Harry spelled it all out in black and white on their invitations, and fortunately for those guests who aren't so well-versed in British weddings ( we're looking at you, cast of Suits), etiquette expert Myka Meier is here to break it down, step by step.

Here's what you need to know about the dress code for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding including exactly what is (and what isn't) a lounge coat:

For the ladies:
Day Dress with Hat The Dress
The key to choosing an appropriate dress is to think about the formality of the occasion, says Meier. "The stresser here is that it is a very conservative event," she says. Shoulders should be covered, and dresses should be an appropriate length: either tea length, below the knee, or just slightly above. Guests should also choose a look free of any cut-outs, and sheer details should be limited to the arms.

Color is also key. Subtle patterns are acceptable, but generally speaking, most people will wear bright, solid shades. "Think about the season," she says. "Color will be highly encouraged." And of course, women shouldn't wear white, or black for that matter. "Black is internationally a color of mourning," she says.

In terms of accessories, guests should keep their handbags small: "It will be very tight seating," Meier says. And shoes should be closed-toe.
The Hat
Perhaps even more important than the dress is the hat. According to Meier, it's a must.

"The bigger, and the more decorated, the more festive. It's almost like your way of showing your support for the occasion," she says.

While not specifically mentioned on the invitation, fascinators are okay, but they should make a statement. "It's got to be over the top, it's got to be big," Meier says.

For the men:
Uniform, Morning Coat or Lounge Suit Uniform
If it is appropriate for a guest to wear a uniform, they should. "Any men in the military at any level would be highly encouraged to wear their uniform," Meier tells T&C. "In terms of formality and respect, it's the top of the top."

The inclusion of this option in the dress code could be an indication that Prince Harry will follow in his brother Prince William's footsteps and wear a uniform on his wedding day.
Morning Coat
If a guest is not in the military, Meier recommends they wear a full morning coat, with all its various components. "Most gentlemen will be suited in a morning coat, waist coat, tie, and striped trousers," as is British tradition, Meier says. Princes William and Harry recently wore the whole ensemble at Pippa Middleton's wedding back in 2017.
Lounge Suit
Despite what the name might imply, this isn't a suggestion to wear pajamas. In the U.K., a "lounge suit" is really just a suit, tie, and most likely, a pocket square.

For guests who choose this option, Meier recommends sticking with a darker color palette. "The darker with a suit for a man, typically the more formal," she says.

She also notes that "the thicker the material for a men's suit, the more formal," so guests should steer clear of light linen, even though May 19 is inching toward summer.

In terms of accessories, hats for men (like the ones often seen at events such as the Royal Ascot) would be "inappropriate," while polished black shoes and an absolute must.

Furthermore, if you do receive an invite to the wedding of the year, you can expect to receive extra guidance prior to the celebration.

"There will be additional guidance for the attendees," Meier says. "Though we will not see it, there will often be an internal document circulated to give them more information about the dress code."

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prince harry meghan markle wedding dress code

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what the guests will wear to the royal wedding

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Breaking Down the Dress Code for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Wedding

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The Royal Wedding's dress code is strictly by the book: day dresses and hats for the women and uniforms, morning coats, or lounge suits for the men. But what exactly does that means for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's guests? Etiquette expert Myka Meier is here to break it down, step by step.