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 ...

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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 - Empire/Commonwealth role, British monarchy - Finances, British monarchy - Residences, British monarchy - Style, British monarchy - Arms of Dominion

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Elizabeth was born at 17 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 ...

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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 - 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

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The Commonwealth Realms are each members of, but should be distinguished from, the Commonwealth of Nations, which is an organization of mostly former British colonies, the majority of which do not consider the Queen to be Head of State. Commonwealth Realms are, in alphabetical order: Antigua and Barbuda, through independence in 1981 Australia, through adoption of the Statute of Westminster in 1942 (retroactive to 1939) The Bahamas, through independence in 1973 Barbados, through independence in 1 ...

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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

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Main article: Style and Title The present Sovereign's full style and title is:Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith. The title Head of the Commonwealth is held by the Queen personally, and is not vested in the British Crown. (However, her father, George VI, was also recognised as such.) Pope Leo X first granted the title Defender of the FaithSee 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 - Empire/Commonwealth role, British monarchy - Finances, British monarchy - Residences, British monarchy - Style, British monarchy - Arms of Dominion

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The Sovereign's primary official residence is Buckingham Palace in the City of Westminster. Buckingham Palace is the site of most state banquets, investitures, royal christenings, and other ceremonies. Moreover, visiting heads of state usually reside in Buckingham Palace. Another principal residence is Windsor Castle, the largest occupied castle in the world. Windsor Castle, located in Windsor, Berkshire, is used principally as a weekend retreat; the monarch also resides there during the Royal Ascot, an annual race meeting that forms a major ...

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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 - Empire/Commonwealth role, British monarchy - Finances, British monarchy - Residences, British monarchy - Style, British monarchy - Arms of Dominion

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Main articles: Regency Acts, Counsellor of State Under the Regency Act 1937 and Regency Act 1953, the powers of a monarch who has not reached the age of eighteen, or of a monarch who is physically or mentally incapacitated, must be exercised by a regent. A physical or mental incapacity must be certified by at least three of the following people: the Sovereign's spouse, the Lord Chancellor, the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, and the Master of the Rolls. The declaration of three or more of the same persons is also necessary to terminate the regen ...

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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 - Empire/Commonwealth role, British monarchy - Finances, British monarchy - Residences, British monarchy - Style, British monarchy - Arms of Dominion

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Main article: Arms of Dominion The coat of arms used by the Sovereign, known as the Arms of Dominion, are: Quarterly, I and IV Gules three lions passant guardant in pale Or (for England); II Or a lion rampant within a double tressure flory-counter-flory Gules (for Scotland); III Azure a harp Or stringed Argent (for Ireland). The supporters are the lion and the unicorn; the motto is Dieu et mon Droit (French for "God and my Right"). Ireland is represented even though most of the island is not a part of the United Kingdom, but instead forms the Republic of Irel ...

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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 - Empire/Commonwealth role, British monarchy - Finances, British monarchy - Residences, British monarchy - Style, British monarchy - Arms of Dominion

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Main articles: Succession, Coronation Succession is governed by several enactments, the most important of which are the Bill of Rights 1689 and Act of Settlement 1701. The rules for succession are not fixed, but may be changed by an Act of Parliament. However, under the Statute of Westminster, 1931, the UK has a common monarchy with the other Commonwealth Realms and cannot change the rules of succession without the unanimous consent of the other Realms, unless the UK explicitly leaves the shared monarchy relat ...

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Although the monarch's powers are in theory vast, they are in practice limited. As a constitutional monarch, the Sovereign acts within the constraints of convention and precedent, almost always exercising the Royal Prerogative on the advice of the Prime Minister and other ministers. The Prime Minister and ministers are, in turn, accountable to the democratically elected House of Commons, and through it, to the people. Whenever necessary, the Sovereign is responsible for appointing a new Prime Minister; the appointment is formalised at ...

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Main article: Royal Prerogative The powers that belong to the Crown are collectively known as the Royal Prerogative. The Royal Prerogative includes many powers (such as the powers to make treaties or send ambassadors) as well as certain duties (such as the duties to defend the realm and to maintain the Queen's peace). As the British monarchy is a constitutional one, however, the monarch exercises the Royal Prerogative on the advice of ministers. Parliamentary approval is not required for the exercise of the Royal Prerogative; m ...

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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 - Empire/Commonwealth role, British monarchy - Finances, British monarchy - Residences, British monarchy - Style, British monarchy - Arms of Dominion

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Prior to the evolution of some former colonies and Dominions of the British Empire into nations autonomous and independent from the United Kingdom, the British Crown operated over each territory as a singular body. However, as a result of the Balfour Declaration stating that the Dominions were "autonomous Communities within the British Empire, equal in status, in no way subordinate one to another in any aspect of their domestic or external affairs" the Royal and Parliamentary Titles Act 1927 was passed, causing the King of the United Kingdom ...

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Main article: Privy Purse Parliament meets much of the Sovereign's official expenditure from public funds. The Civil List is the sum that covers most expenses, including those for staffing, state visits, public engagements, and official entertainment. The size of the Civil List is fixed by Parliament every ten years; however, any money saved may be carried forward to the next ten year period. Thus, the Sovereign's Civil List expenditure in 2003 was approximately £9.9 million. In addition, the Sovereign receives an annual Prope ...

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Main articles: Descent of Elizabeth II and Ancestors of Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth is the male-line great-grandaughter of Edward VII, who inherited the crown from his mother, Victoria. His father, Victoria's consort, was Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha; hence Queen Elizabeth is a patrilineal descendant, through him, of the German princely house of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (Sachsen-Coburg-Gotha). Other notable members of the princely house are Albert II of Belgium and Si ...

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Ireland has been inhabited for at least 9000 years, although little is known about the neolithic inhabitants of the island. Early historical and genealogical records note the existance of dozens of different peoples (Cruthin, Attacotti, Conmaicne, Éoganacht, Érainn, Soghain, to name but a few). Over the last 1000 years, there have been influences by the Vikings, who founded several ports, including Dublin, and Normans, with some admixture to the gene pool. However the greater part (80%) of the Irish population descends from the original inhabitants of the islan ...

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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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Ireland - Literature and the arts. Main articles: Irish literature, and Irish art, and [[]], and [[]]See also:

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Gaelic football and hurling are the most popular sports in Ireland. Along with Camogie, Ladies' Gaelic football, handball and rounders, they make up the national sports of Ireland, collectively known as Gaelic Games. All Gaelic games are governed by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), with the exception of Ladies' Gaelic Football, which is governed by a separate organisation. The GAA is organised on an all-Ireland basis with all 32 counties competing; traditionally, counties first compete within their province, in the provincial champions ...

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Ireland - Irish Independence: The Irish Free State Éire Ireland. Main articles: History of the Republic of Ireland, and [[]], and [[]], and [[]]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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Ireland - Transport. Main articles: Transport in Ireland, and [[]], and [[]], and [[]]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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In the United Kingdom, her official title is Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith. In common practice Queen Elizabeth II is referred to simply as "The Queen", "Her Majesty" or, when addressed directly in conversation, as "Ma'am". At the moment of her succession, Elizabeth II also became the Queen of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Union of South Africa, in addit ...

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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 - 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

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Tynwald then reconvenes in the Chapel. The joint sitting of both Houses is not unique to Tynwald Day; such sittings are often held in the capital, Douglas. Tynwald Court, as a joint session is normally known, is held in Douglas thrice in July and once in each other month (except August and September). The Lieutenant Governor, as the representative of the Lord of Mann, normally presides over Tynwald Court in St John's, but the President of Tynwald presides in Douglas. While Tynwald contracts substantive business (such as the nomination of the ...

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Before Tynwald sits, the individual presiding inspects the Guard of Honour and lays a wreath at the National War Memorial, which was inaugurated in 1923. A foreign head of state attending the ceremony may accompany the Lieutenant Governor, as HM The King of Norway did in 2002. At eleven o'clock in the forenoon, Tynwald convenes in the Chapel of St John the Baptist for a religious service. Thereafter, they proceed to Tynwald Hill. The path is strewn with rushes; the tradition is traceable to the Celtic custom of propitiating the sea go ...

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