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Midsummer Courts were sometimes presided over personally by the Lords of Mann, but, more often, by representatives, as the Lords of Mann were often British aristocrats or monarchs who were not resident on the island. After the Duke of Atholl presided in 1736, over two centuries passed before a Lord of Mann participated in Tynwald Day ceremonies. George VI presided in 1946; his successor Elizabeth II, presided in 1979 (the millennial anniversary of Tynwald's establishment) and again in 2003. In some rare instances, a member of the Royal Famil ...

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

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Ireland was mostly ice-covered and joined by land to Britain and Europe during the last ice age. It has been inhabited for about 9,000 years. Stone age inhabitants arrived sometime after 8000 BC, with the culture progressing from Mesolithic to high Neolithic over the course of three or four millennia. The Bronze Age, which began around 2500 BC, saw the production of elaborate gold and bronze ornaments and weapons. The Iron Age in Ireland is associated with people now known as Celts. They are traditionally thought to have colonised Ireland in ...

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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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There is no universally agreed flag that represents the island of Ireland. Historically a number of flags were used, including St. Patrick's cross, the flag sometimes used for the Kingdom of Ireland and which represented Ireland on the Union Jack after the Act of Union, a green flag with a harp (used by some radical nationalists in the 19th century and which is also the flag of Leinster), a blue flag with a harp used from the 18th century onwards by many nationalists (now the standard of the President of Ireland), and the Irish tricolour. Ho ...

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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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Elizabeth has developed friendships with many foreign leaders, including Nelson Mandela, Mary Robinson and George H. W. Bush, whose son, George W. Bush, was the first American president in more than 80 years to stay at Buckingham Palace. On occasion such contacts have proved highly beneficial for the United Kingdom. For example, John Major as prime minister once had difficulty working with a particular Commonwealth leader. The Queen informed Major that he and the leader shared a mutual sporting interest (John Howard, Australian Prime Ministe ...

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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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Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom - Role in government. Constitutionally, the Queen is an essential part of the legislative process of her Realms. The Queen-in-Parliament (the Queen, acting with the advice and consent of Parliament), in each country, is an integral part of Parliament, along with the upper and lower houses. In practice, much of the Queen's role in the legislative process is ceremonial, as her reserve powers are rarely exercised. For example, the Queen may legally grant or withhold Royal Assent to ...

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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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After the Coronation, Elizabeth and Philip moved to Buckingham Palace in central London. It is believed, however, that like many of her predecessors she dislikes the Palace as a residence and considers Windsor Castle, west of London, to be her home. She also spends time at Balmoral Castle in Scotland and at Sandringham House in Norfolk. Queen Elizabeth is the most widely travelled head of state in history (in front of Pope John Paul II). In 1953–54 she and Philip made a six-month round-the-world tour, becoming the first reigning mon ...

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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 Queen is the Sovereign "by Grace of God" and is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England. As with her predecessors, the coronation itself took place within the context of a church service (at Westminster Abbey) imbued with theological as well as constitutional meaning. The Queen retains the ancient title Fidei Defensor (Defender of the Faith) - a title first granted in 1521 by Pope Leo X to King Henry VIII prior to the Reformation. The Church of England remains the established church in England; archbishops and bishops are formally ...

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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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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, and New Zealand in addition to the United Kingdom of ...

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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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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 ...

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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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The Queen's coat of arms are known as the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom. These arms have been used by every British monarch since the reign of Queen Victoria. The shield is quartered, depicting in the first and fourth quarters the three lions passant guardant of England; in the second, the rampant lion and double tressure fleury-counter-fleury of Scotland; and in the third, a harp for Ireland. The crest is a lion statant guardant wearing the imperial crown, itself on another representation of that crown. The sinister supporter is ...

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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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Elizabeth has never given press interviews, and her views on political issues are largely unknown except to those few heads of government who have private conversations with her. She is also regarded privately as an excellent mimic. Rather conservative in dress, she is well-known for her solid-colour overcoats and decorative hats, which allow her to be seen easily in a crowd. Although she attends many cultural events as part of her public role, in her private life Elizabeth is said to have little interest in culture or the arts. Her main leisure interests includ ...

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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, since independence in 1981  Australia, since adoption of the Statute of Westminster in 1942 (retroactive to 1939) The  Bahamas, since independence in 1973  Barbados, since i ...

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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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The Palace of Westminster was strategically important during the Middle Ages, as it was located on the banks of the River Thames. Buildings have occupied the site since at least Saxon times. Known in mediæval times as Thorney Island, the site may have been first used for a royal residence by Canute the Great (reigned 1016 to 1035). The penultimate Saxon monarch of England, St Edward the Confessor, built a royal palace in Thorney Island just west of the City of London at about the same time as he built Westminster Abbey (1045 to 1050). Thorn ...

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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

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The Queen's Flag Sergeant is responsible for all flags flown from the palace. Until 1997 the only flag to fly from Buckingham Palace was the Royal Standard, the official flag of the reigning British sovereign, and only when the sovereign was in residence at the palace. Even in times of mourning, the Royal Standard would not fly at half mast. The only time another flag would fly from the Palace would be upon the death of the sovereign, when the flag of the next senior member of the Royal Family would be raised. In 1952, the S ...

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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

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In addition to being the weekday home of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, the palace is the work place of 450 people. Every year some 50,000 people are entertained at garden parties, receptions, audiences, and banquets. Buckingham Palace is also the venue for the daily ceremony of the Changing of the Guard, a major tourist attraction. In June 2003 on the occasion of the Queen's golden jubilee thousands of Britons were invited to apply for tickets to a pop concert, preceded the previous evening by a classical concert in the grounds of the ...

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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

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Royal security is high, but is better known for a series of high-profile intrusions, both at the Palace and elsewhere. No modern, fully detailed plan of the palace is available as a security measure. The famous armed sentries on guard at the front of the palace are commonly thought to be ceremonial, but they have always had a security role. The palace also contains its own police station, and the Royal Family have their own protection officers at all times. Other security measures are not revealed. The Foot Guards battalion at Wellington Bar ...

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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

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During the current reign court ceremony has undergone a radical change, and entry to the palace is no longer the prerogative of just the upper class. Formal court dress has now been abolished. In previous reigns, men not wearing military uniform wore knee breeches of an 18th-century design. In the evenings, women wore dresses with obligatory trains, and tiaras or feathers (or even both) in their hair. So rigid was the palace dress code that after World War I, when Queen Mary wished to follow fashion by raising her skirts a few inches ...

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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

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Following their independence from the United Kingdom, most Commonwealth countries retained the Queen as head of state, changing the title of the monarch to indicate sovereignty of their own respective nations (ie: "Queen of Barbados", rather than "Queen of the United Kingdom"). The Union of South Africa and Ceylon (now called Sri Lanka) were the first to do this. When Papua New Guinea became independent of Australia in 1975, Queen Elizabeth was styled "Queen of Papua New Guinea", the first time she became Queen ...

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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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Commonwealth Realm - The evolving crown. Modern proponents of the monarchy outside the United Kingdom downplay the historical "British" aspect of the monarchy, and instead focus on the Queen as Head of State of an independent nation. There has thus been a fundamental shift between the "family" aspect of the days of the British Empire, in which all dominions rallied around a common monarch, and today, in which each Commonwealth realm is encouraged to think of the Queen as "their own", and serving a role independent of any other obligations in other countries. 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

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In South America, there are Mexican, Andean, Venezuelan, and Paraguayan harps. They are derived from the Baroque harps that were brought from Spain during the colonial period: wide on the bottom and narrow at the top, with perfect balance when being played but unable to stand independently for lack of a base. The Paraguayan harp is the most popular, and is Paraguay's national instrument. It has about 36 strings with narrower spacing and lighter tension than other harps, and so has a slightly (four to five notes) lower pitch. It does not nece ...

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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

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Harp playing uses all of the fingers except for the pinky, which is generally too short and weak to effectively pluck a string. In order to make notation of fingerings easier, each finger is given a number, "1" for the thumb, "2" for the index finger, "3" for the middle finger, and "4" for the ring finger. Most types of harp only require use of the hands. The exception is the pedal (concert) harp, where the harpist ...

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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

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The harp's origins may lie in the sound of a plucked hunter's bow string. The oldest documented references to the harp are from 4000 BC in Egypt (see Music of Egypt) and 3000 BC in Mesopotamia. While the harp is mentioned in most translations of the Bible, King David being the most prominent musician, the Biblical "harp" was actually a kinnor, a type of lyre with 10 strings. Harps also appear in ancient epics, and in Egyptian wall paintings. This kind of harp, now known as the folk harp, continued to evolve in many different cultures all over the world. It may ...

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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

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