The House Of Windsor

Fact File-The Family of Elizabeth II

Charles, Prince of Wales.

Prince Charles, the eldest son of Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh was born on 14th, November, 1948 at Buckingham Palace and was christened Charles Phillip Arthur George. He was originally known as Prince Charles of Edinburgh.

He was created Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay, Earl of
Carrick, Lord of the Isles and Baron Renfrew upon his mother's
accession to the throne in 1952. He gained the further titles of Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester, traditionally given to
the heir to the throne on 26th, July, 1958. Charles was educated at Cheam and Gordonstoun School, which his father had
also attended, although Phillip had liked the school's spartan regime, it did not find favour with his son.

He completed his education at Cambridge University, where he studied Archaeology and Anthropology. He spent a term at the University of Aberystwyth. Charles was formally invested as Prince of Wales at a ceremony at Carnarvon Castle in 1969. He joined the Royal Navy in 1971, and was given command of the ship H.M.S. Bronington.

The Prince married Lady Diana Frances Spencer on 29th July,1981, at St. Paul's Cathedral. The couple produced two children, Princes William and Harry, but the marriage run into difficulties, due to the incompatibility of the parties and the frenzied media spotlight which was focused upon it. They were divorced in August, 1996. The hugely popular Princess Diana was killed in a tragic car accident in Paris the following year. Charles took divorcee Mrs Camilla Rosemary Parker-Bowles (nee-Shand) as his second wife on 9th April, 2005, in a civil ceremony at Windsor. She then took the title of Duchess of Cornwall and as a divorcee, will be known as the Princess Consort when her husband ascends the throne.

Prince William of Wales.

Prince William was born on 21st June, 1982, in London. The
eldest son of Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, he
was given the names William Arthur Phillip Louis.

He was educated at Wetherby and Ludgrove Schools and went on to complete his secondary education at Eton College. On leaving Eton he enjoyed a gap year, during which he did volunteer work in Chile.William then enrolled at St. Andrew's University in Scotland, from which he graduated with a Master of Arts Degree (honours) in Geography. He then entered the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst.

Prince Henry of Wales.

Prince Henry was born on 15th September, 1984, in London, the
second son of the Prince and Princess of Wales. He was
christened Henry Charles Albert David in St. George's Chapel,
Windsor Castle, but is always known informally as 'Harry'.

Harry followed in the footsteps of his elder brother William to Wetherby and Ludgrove Schools before moving on to Eton. He left Eton with A' Levels in Art and Geography. Deeply affected by his mother's tragic death, during his gap year, Harry attempted to continue her legacy, doing voluntary work in an orphanage in Lesotho, Africa, about which a television programme was made. In May, 2005, Prince Harry entered the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst where he was trained as an officer in the British army.

Anne, Princess Royal.

Princess Anne, the only daughter of Elizabeth II and Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, was born on 15th August, 1950 at Clarence House, London. She was christened with the names Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise.

The Princess began her education privately at Buckingham Palace before becoming a boarder at Benenden School in Kent.

Anne married Lieutenant Mark Anthony Peter Phillips on 14th November, 1973, at Westminster Abbey and has two children, Peter and Zara Phillips.

The Queen bestowed the title of Princess Royal on her daughter in 1987. The marriage of Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips was dissolved in April, 1992 and later that year, she married for a second time to Commander Timothy Laurence at Crathie Kirk, Scotland, near The Queen's Balmoral home.

Peter Phillips

Peter Phillips, only son of Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips and the Queen's first grandchild, was born on 15 November, 1977. He was christened with the names Peter Mark Andrew. At his parents request he was not granted a title.

Peter was educated at Gordonstoun School in Scotland. A keen sportsman, he represented Gordonstoun in its rugby team in 1996. He went on to Exeter University where he studied Sports Science.

Zara Phillips.

The first grand-daughter of the Queen, Zara Phillips was born in May, 1981. She is the only daughter of Princess Anne and Mark Phillips and received the names Zara Anne Elizabeth.

In common with her brother, Peter, she attended Gordonstoun School. Like her mother, Zara is a keen horsewoman and a gymnast. She now works as a Sports Masseuse.

Prince Andrew, Duke of York.

Prince Andrew Albert Christian Edward was born on 19th February, 1960, at Buckingham Palace and is the second son of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.

He was educated privately until the age of eight when he was sent to Heatherdown Preparatory School and later to Gordonstoun. Andrew joined the Royal Navy in 1979 and also took training with the RAF he saw active service in the Falklands War, when he was a helicopter pilot onboard H.M.S. Invincible.

On 23rd July, 1986, Andrew married Sarah Margaret Ferguson at Westminster Abbey. Prior to his marriage, the Queen had bestowed on him the title of Duke of York, the traditional title of the monarch's second son. He was also designated Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh.

Andrew and Sarah had two daughters, the Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, but divorced in May, 1996. They have joint custody of their children. The Duke of York left the navy in 2001 and has now took up the role as the U.K.'s Special Representative for Investment and Trade.

Princess Beatrice of York.

Princess Beatrice was born at the Portland Hospital, London on 8th August, 1988. She is the oldest daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York and was christened Beatrice Elizabeth Mary.

Beatrice attends St. George's School at Ascot. Despite suffering from mild dyslexia, she has acquired eight O' Levels.

Princess Eugenie of York.

Princess Eugenie is the second daughter and youngest child of Andrew, Duke of York and Sarah Ferguson and was born on 23rd March, 1990. She was christened Eugenie Victoria Helena at Sandringham Church.

At present she attends Marlborough College in Wiltshire. Princess Eugenie of York is currently sixth in line to the throne.

Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex.

The youngest son of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward was born on 10th March, 1964. At his christening he received the names of Edward Anthony Richard Louis.

Edward was educated privately at Buckingham Palace until the age of seven, after which he attended Gibbs School in Kensington. He then followed his brother Andrew to Heatherdown Preparatory School and later Gordonstoun. In September, 1982, he spent two terms at the Collegiate School, Wanganui, New Zealand, where he taught English and History. Edward obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree at Jesus College, Cambridge in 1986.

The Prince married Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones on 19th, June, 1999, at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. The Queen conferred on him the title Earl of Wessex upon his marriage. He will eventually succeed to his father's title of Duke of Edinburgh. Edward worked in the theatre, running his own business, Ardent Productions, but withdrew from his company in 2002, to take on royal engagements.

James Mountbatten-Windsor, Viscount Severn .

James Mountbatten-Windsor, Viscount Severn is the youngest child and only son of of the Earl and Countess of Wessex. He was born by caesarian section at Frimley Park Hospital on 17th December, 2007 and weighed 6lb 2oz at birth.

In keeping with the wish of his parents and in an attempt to shield him from media attention, in common with his sister, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, he will not bear the style HRH.

The title Viscount Severn is a subsidiary title of his father, the Earl of Wessex, and is associated with the Rhys-Jones family's Welsh connections.

Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor.

Lady Louise is the eldest child of the Earl and Countess of Wessex. She was born prematurely by caesarian section at Frimley Park Hospital on 8th November, 2003. Her christening took place at Windsor Castle in April, 2004, when she was given the names Louise Alice Elizabeth Mary.

It was decided at her birth that she should take only the usual courtesy title, Lady, generally given to the daughter of a Duke or Earl, although legally she is Princess Louise of Wessex.