Variants of the Royal Standard are used for other members of the British Royal Family. Royal Standard - Prince of Wales. The Prince of Wales has separate standards: one used in England (and Northern Ireland), one in Scotland, and one in Wales. England & Northern Ireland  The Royal Standard of England is used, with a white label of three points. In the centre of the flag, the crowned Arms of the Principality of Wales — four quadrants, the first and fourth with a red lion on ...

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Royal Standard, Royal Standard - United Kingdom, Royal Standard - Australia, Royal Standard - Barbados, Royal Standard - Canada, Royal Standard - Jamaica, Royal Standard - New Zealand, Royal Standard - Other Commonwealth Nations, Royal Standard - Other members of the Royal Family, Royal Standard - Prince of Wales, Royal Standard - Princes and Princesses of the Blood Royal, Royal Standard - Consorts of the British monarch, Royal Standard - Other members of the Royal Family, Royal Standard - Additional reading

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A Commonwealth Realm is any one of the 16 sovereign states of the Commonwealth that recognise Queen Elizabeth II as their Queen and head of state. In each Realm, she acts as the monarch of that state, and is titled accordingly. For example, in Barbados, she is known as "Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Barbados", or, simply, the Queen of Barbados (See List of Titles and Honours of Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom). Outside the United Kingdom, the Queen, on the advice of the prime minister of each Realm, appoints a Gov ...

Including:

• Commonwealth Realm - Current Commonwealth Realms
• Commonwealth Realm - Flags of the Queen in Commonwealth Realms
• Commonwealth Realm - Flags of Governors General
• Commonwealth Realm - Constitutional implications
• Commonwealth Realm - Historical development
• Commonwealth Realm - Monarch's role in the Realms
• Commonwealth Realm - Sovereignty of the Realms
• Commonwealth Realm - One Crown or several?
• Commonwealth Realm - Former Commonwealth Realms
• Commonwealth Realm - Public perceptions
• Commonwealth Realm - The evolving crown
• Commonwealth Realm - Debate on the monarchy
• Commonwealth Realm - Republicanism

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United Kingdom This article is part of the series: Politics of the United Kingdom Parliament The Crown: Queen Elizabeth II House of Lords Lord Chancellor: Lord Falconer House of Commons Speaker: Michael Martin Prime Minister: Tony Blair Cabinet Government departments Scottish Parliament Scottish ExecutiveIncluding:

• British monarchy - History
• British monarchy - English monarchy
• British monarchy - Scottish monarchy
• British monarchy - Since the Union of the Crowns
• British monarchy - Succession
• British monarchy - Regency
• British monarchy - Political role
• British monarchy - Royal Prerogative
• British monarchy - Commonwealth role
• British monarchy - Finances
• British monarchy - Residences
• British monarchy - Style
• British monarchy - Arms of Dominion

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The Palace of Westminster, known also as the Houses of Parliament, is where the two Houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (the House of Lords and the House of Commons) conduct their sittings. The Palace lies on the north bank of the River Thames in the London borough of the City of Westminster, close by other government buildings in Whitehall. The 1097. The palace originally served as a royal residence, but no monarch has lived in it since the 16th century. Most of the present structure dates from the 19th centu ...

Including:

• Palace of Westminster - History
• Palace of Westminster - Exterior
• Palace of Westminster - Stonework
• Palace of Westminster - Towers
• Palace of Westminster - Grounds
• Palace of Westminster - Interior
• Palace of Westminster - Lords Chamber
• Palace of Westminster - Commons Chamber
• Palace of Westminster - Westminster Hall
• Palace of Westminster - Other rooms
• Palace of Westminster - Security
• Palace of Westminster - Culture and tourism
• Palace of Westminster - External link

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William I "the Lion" ( known in Gaelic as Uilliam Garm1 or William the Rough), (1142/1143 - December 4, 1214) reigned as King of Scotland from 1165 to 1214. His reign was the longest in Scottish history before the Act of Union with England in 1707. He became King following his brother Malcolm IV's death on 9 December 1165 and was crowned on 24 December 1165. In contrast to his deeply religious, frail brother, William was powerfully-built, redheaded, and headstrong. He was an effective monarch whose reign was marred by his ill-fated ...

Including:

• William I of Scotland - Sources

Read more here: » William I of Scotland: Encyclopedia - William I of Scotland

Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the British monarch (or sovereign), and the largest "working" royal palace remaining in the world. The expression "Buckingham Palace" or simply "The Palace" has become a common way of referring to the source of press statements coming from parts of the British Royal Family (see Metonymy). In addition to being the London home of Queen Elizabeth II, Buckingham Palace is a setting for state occasions, royal entertaining and base for all officially visiting heads of state, and is a major tourist attraction. It has been a rallying point fo ...

Including:

• Buckingham Palace - History
• Buckingham Palace - Early history
• Buckingham Palace - House to palace
• Buckingham Palace - Queen Victoria
• Buckingham Palace - The 20th century
• Buckingham Palace - World War
• Buckingham Palace - Interior
• Buckingham Palace - Court ceremonies
• Buckingham Palace - Security
• Buckingham Palace - Use and public access
• Buckingham Palace - Flags at Buckingham Palace
• Buckingham Palace - The Palace today
• Buckingham Palace - Footnotes

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The harp is a chordophone which has its strings positioned perpendicular to the soundboard. All harps have a neck, resonator and strings. Some, known as frame harps, also have a forepillar; those lacking the forepillar are referred to open harps. Harp strings can be made of nylon (sometimes copper-wound), gut (more commonly used than nylon), or wire. Various types of harps are found in Africa, Europe, North and South America, and a few parts of Asia. In Antiquity harps and the closely related Lyras were very promi ...

Including:

• Harp - Origins of the harp
• Harp - Types of Harps Harp-playing and Harp-building
• Harp - Playing style of the European-derived harp
• Harp - The pedal/concert harp
• Harp - Folk harps/lever harps
• Harp - Wire-strung harps clarsach or clairseach
• Harp - Multi-course harps
• Harp - Harp technique
• Harp - Other harps around the world
• Harp - The harp in music
• Harp - Recommendations for beginning harpists
• Harp - As a symbol
• Harp - Political
• Harp - Corporate

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The Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland is the historical coat of arms of the Kings and Queens of Scots, used by them until the personal union with the Kingdom of England in 1603. It can still be seen today in the UK Royal arms. A form of these arms was first used by William I of Scotland in the 12th century. A register in the College of Arms in London describes the arms of the Kyng of Scottz as being Or, a lion rampant within a double tressure flory counter-flory Gules. (The lion is usually also depicted armed and ...

Including:

• Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland - The Law
• Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland - Union

Read more here: » Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland: Encyclopedia - Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland

Half-mast - Australia. The Flag of Australia is flown half-mast in Australia: On the death of the Sovereign – from the time of announcement of the death up to and including the funeral. On the day the accession of the new Sovereign is proclaimed, it is customary to raise the flag to the top of the mast from 11 a.m.. On the death of a member of a royal family. On the death of the Governor-General or a former Governor-General. On the death of a distinguished Australian citi ...

See also:

Half-mast, Half-mast - Examples, Half-mast - Australia, Half-mast - Canada, Half-mast - India, Half-mast - Israel, Half-mast - Saudi Arabia, Half-mast - United Kingdom, Half-mast - United States

Read more here: » Half-mast: Encyclopedia II - Half-mast - Examples

Politically, Ireland is divided into: The Republic of Ireland, with its capital in Dublin. This state is often simply referred to internally and internationally as "Ireland" in English or "Éire" in Irish. Technically Ireland and Éire are the official names of the state while the "Republic of Ireland" is its official description. Northern Ireland is unofficially known as 'the North', and 'Ulster' (the province of Ulster also includes Donegal, Cavan, and Monaghan which are in the Republic). North ...

See also:

Ireland, Ireland - Politics, Ireland - Geography, Ireland - Flags of Ireland, Ireland - History, Ireland - History since partition, Ireland - Irish Independence: The Irish Free State Éire Ireland, Ireland - Northern Ireland, Ireland - Sport, Ireland - Culture, Ireland - Literature and the arts, Ireland - Music and dance, Ireland - Demographics, Ireland - Infrastructure, Ireland - Transport, Ireland - Energy

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A ring of coastal mountains surrounds low central plains. The highest peak is Carrauntuohill (Irish: Corrán Tuathail), which is 1041 m (3414 feet). The island is bisected by the River Shannon, at 259 km (161 mi) the longest river in Ireland or Britain. The island's lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall, earns it the sobriquet "Emerald Isle". The island's area is 84,079 km² (32,477 mile²). Ireland is divided into four provinces: Connacht, Leinster, Munster ...

See also:

Ireland, Ireland - Geography, Ireland - Politics, Ireland - Flag of Ireland, Ireland - History, Ireland - History since partition, Ireland - Irish Independence: The Irish Free State Éire Ireland, Ireland - Northern Ireland, Ireland - Sport, Ireland - Culture, Ireland - Literature and the arts, Ireland - Music and dance, Ireland - Demographics, Ireland - Infrastructure, Ireland - Transport, Ireland - Energy

Read more here: » Ireland: Encyclopedia II - Ireland - Geography

Elizabeth was born at 21 Bruton Street in Mayfair, London on 21 April 1926. Her father was The Prince Albert, Duke of York (later King George VI), the second eldest son of King George V and Queen Mary. Her mother was The Duchess of York (née Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon), the daughter of Claude George Bowes-Lyon, 14th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne and his wife, the Countess of Strathmore. She was baptised in the Music Room of Buckingham Palace by Cosmo Lang, the then Archbishop of York and her godparents were King George and Queen Ma ...

See also:

Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom - Early life, Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom - Education, Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom - Heiress Presumptive, Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom - Military service, Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom - Marriage and motherhood, Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom - Children and grandchildren, Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom - Succession, Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom - Life as Queen, Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom - Views and Perceptions, Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom - Constitutional role, Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom - Role in government, Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom - Appointment of prime ministers: 3 controversies, Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom - Relations with ministers, Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom - The Queen and the Judiciary, Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom - Constitutional controversies, Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom - Rhodesia, Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom - The United Kingdom, Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom - Relations with world leaders, Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom - Religious role, Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom - Ancestry, Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom - Titles, Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom - Personality and image, Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom - Coat of arms, Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom - Footnotes

Read more here: » Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom: Encyclopedia II - Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom - Early life

Harp - Playing style of the European-derived harp. Most European-derived harps have a single row of strings with strings for each note of the C Major scale (over several octaves. Harpists can tell which strings they are playing because all F strings are black or blue and all C strings are red or orange. The instrument rests between the knees of the harpist and along their right shoulder. The Welsh triple harp and early Irish and Scottish harps, however, are traditionally placed on the left shoulder. The first fou ...

See also:

Harp, Harp - Origins of the harp, Harp - Types of Harps Harp-playing and Harp-building, Harp - Playing style of the European-derived harp, Harp - The pedal/concert harp, Harp - Folk harps/lever harps, Harp - Wire-strung harps clarsach or clairseach, Harp - Multi-course harps, Harp - Harp technique, Harp - Other harps around the world, Harp - The harp in music, Harp - Recommendations for beginning harpists, Harp - As a symbol, Harp - Political, Harp - Corporate

Read more here: » Harp: Encyclopedia II - Harp - Types of Harps Harp-playing and Harp-building

Commonwealth Realm - Historical development. Before 1926, the monarch of the United Kingdom had nominally reigned over the Dominions as a single imperial domain, with a governor-general representing the British government. The Dominions were self-governing, but their ability to legislate remained theoretically subject to the British Parliament. Even though the Dominions were members of the League of Nations, the United Kin ...

See also:

Commonwealth Realm, Commonwealth Realm - Current Commonwealth Realms, Commonwealth Realm - Flags of the Queen in Commonwealth Realms, Commonwealth Realm - Flags of Governors General, Commonwealth Realm - Constitutional implications, Commonwealth Realm - Historical development, Commonwealth Realm - Monarch's role in the Realms, Commonwealth Realm - Sovereignty of the Realms, Commonwealth Realm - One Crown or several?, Commonwealth Realm - Former Commonwealth Realms, Commonwealth Realm - Public perceptions, Commonwealth Realm - The evolving crown, Commonwealth Realm - Debate on the monarchy, Commonwealth Realm - Republicanism

Read more here: » Commonwealth Realm: Encyclopedia II - Commonwealth Realm - Constitutional implications

Half-mast - Canada. Flags are flown at half-staff in Canada: Upon the death of the Sovereign, the current Governor General of Canada or the current Prime Minister of Canada: from the time of notification of death until sunset on the day of the funeral or the memorial service. Upon the death of the Sovereign's spouse, the Heir to the Throne, the Heir of the Heir to the Throne, a former Governor General, the Chief Justice of Canada, government ministers, or a former Prime Minister: from the ti ...

See also:

Half-mast, Half-mast - Examples, Half-mast - Canada, Half-mast - India, Half-mast - Israel, Half-mast - Saudi Arabia, Half-mast - United Kingdom, Half-mast - United States

Read more here: » Half-mast: Encyclopedia II - Half-mast - Examples

Buckingham Palace - Early history. The first house recorded on the site was known as Goring House, built by the Lord Goring circa 1633. However, the house which forms the nucleus of the present palace was built for the Duke of Buckingham and Normanby in 1703. Buckingham had the house rebuilt by the architect William Winde. The style chosen was of a large, three-floored central b ...

See also:

Buckingham Palace, Buckingham Palace - History, Buckingham Palace - Early history, Buckingham Palace - House to palace, Buckingham Palace - Queen Victoria, Buckingham Palace - The 20th century, Buckingham Palace - World War, Buckingham Palace - Interior, Buckingham Palace - Court ceremonies, Buckingham Palace - Security, Buckingham Palace - Use and public access, Buckingham Palace - Flags at Buckingham Palace, Buckingham Palace - The Palace today, Buckingham Palace - Footnotes

Read more here: » Buckingham Palace: Encyclopedia II - Buckingham Palace - History

The main ceremonies of the day take place on Tynwald Hill, known in the Manx language as Cronk-y-Keeillown, or the Mound of the Church of John, in the village of St John's. The mound is said to include soil from all seventeen of the Isle's parishes. The mound, approximately 3.6 metres (12 feet) in height, includes four circular platforms, which are of successively decreasing size, thereby giving Tynwald Hill a somewhat conical shape. The approximate circumferences of the bottoms of the platforms, beginning with the lowest one, are: 78 metres (256 feet), 49 metres (162 feet), 31 metres (102&# ...

See also:

Tynwald Day, Tynwald Day - Date, Tynwald Day - Participants, Tynwald Day - Procession, Tynwald Day - Tynwald Hill, Tynwald Day - Captioning ceremony, Tynwald Day - Other celebrations

Read more here: » Tynwald Day: Encyclopedia II - Tynwald Day - Tynwald Hill

British monarchy - English monarchy. Monarchs had existed in the island of Britain since before Roman times; many of these "Celtic" rulers were to ally or fall to the Romans who made Britain part of their empire. Rome withdrew from Britain in the early fifth century, and a period of history followed that has been referred to as the Dark Ages. Angles, Saxons, and Jutes settled in Britain, and formed many kingdoms, the seven most powerful of which have been referred to as the Heptarchy. This term, however, is somew ...

See also:

British monarchy, British monarchy - History, British monarchy - English monarchy, British monarchy - Scottish monarchy, British monarchy - Since the Union of the Crowns, British monarchy - Succession, British monarchy - Regency, British monarchy - Political role, British monarchy - Royal Prerogative, British monarchy - Commonwealth role, British monarchy - Finances, British monarchy - Residences, British monarchy - Style, British monarchy - Arms of Dominion

Read more here: » British monarchy: Encyclopedia II - British monarchy - History

Popular use of the saltire flag, although it is properly a Royal symbol, has a degree of official recognition. But the same is not true of the "lion rampant flag" (the old "Royal Standard" or "Royal Banner"); it is the property of the Queen and unauthorized use is illegal under Scots law (as, indeed, is the unauthorized use of any arms by somebody other than the owner). The following are authorised to use the "lion rampant flag" the First Minister as Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland, (the Secretary of State of Scotland forme ...

See also:

Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland, Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland - The Law, Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland - Union

Read more here: » Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland: Encyclopedia II - Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland - The Law

The Palace of Westminster includes approximately 1,100 rooms, 100 staircases, and 3 miles (5 km) of passageways. The building includes four floors; the ground floor includes offices, dining rooms, and bars. The first floor houses the principal rooms of the Palace, including the Chambers, the lobbies, and the libraries. The Robing Room, the Royal Gallery, the Prince's Chamber, the Lords' Chamber, the Peers' Lobby, the Central Lobby, the Members' Lobby, and the Commons' Chamber all lie in a straight line from south to north, in the order noted. (Westminster Hall lies to a side at the Commons end of the Palace.) The top tw ...

See also:

Palace of Westminster, Palace of Westminster - History, Palace of Westminster - Exterior, Palace of Westminster - Stonework, Palace of Westminster - Towers, Palace of Westminster - Grounds, Palace of Westminster - Interior, Palace of Westminster - Lords Chamber, Palace of Westminster - Commons Chamber, Palace of Westminster - Westminster Hall, Palace of Westminster - Other rooms, Palace of Westminster - Security, Palace of Westminster - Culture and tourism, Palace of Westminster - External link

Read more here: » Palace of Westminster: Encyclopedia II - Palace of Westminster - Interior