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The principal rooms of the palace are contained on the piano nobile behind the west-facing garden facade at the rear of the palace. The centre of this ornate suite of state rooms is the Music Room, its large bow the dominant feature of the facade. Flanking the Music Room are the Blue and the White Drawing rooms. At the centre of the suite, serving as a corridor to link the state rooms, is the Picture Gallery, which is top lit and 55 yards (50m) long. The Gallery is hung with works by Rembrandt, van Dyck, Rubens, and Vermeer, among many other ...

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

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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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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

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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 - 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. Succession is according to the rules of male-preference cognatic primogeniture, under which sons inherit before daughters, and under which elder children inherit before younger ones of the same sex. The Act of Settlement, however, restricts the succession to the natural (non-adopted) legitimate descendants of So ...

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

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

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The Sovereign is the monarch not only of the United Kingdom, but also of several other Commonwealth Realms. Though his or her constitutional powers in each realm are virtually identical to those held in the United Kingdom, the monarch does not play an active political or ceremonial role as head of state in these countries. Instead, day-to-day functions are performed by a locally-based Governor-General, who serves as the monarch's representative. In each realm, the Sovereign and Governor-General act solely on the advice of the local Prime Minister and Cabinet. Hence, the Government of the United Kingdom does not ...

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

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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 Faith" to King Henry VIII in ...

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

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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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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

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The exterior of the Palace of Westminster—especially the Clock Tower—is one of the most visited tourist attractions in London. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) classifies the Palace of Westminster as a World Heritage Site. It is also a Grade I listed building. There is no casual access to the interior, but it may be seen in a number of ways: Viewing debates from the public galleries of the House of Commons or the House of Lords: UK residents may obtain tickets in advance fr ...

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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 harp is used sparingly in most classical music, usually for special effects such as the glissando, arpeggios, and bisbigliando. Italian and German opera uses harp for romantic arias and dances, an example of which is Musetta's Waltz from La bohème. French composers such as Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel composed harp concertos and chamber music widely played today. In the nineteenth century, the French composer and harpist Nicolas-Charles Bochsa composed hundreds of pieces of all kinds (opera transcriptions, chamber music, conc ...

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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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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, 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

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Ireland - Irish Independence: The Irish Free State Éire Ireland. Main articles: History of the Republic of Ireland, and [[{{{2}}}]], and [[{{{3}}}]], and [[{{{4}}}]]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

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Ireland was mostly ice-covered and joined by land to Britain and Europe during the last ice age, 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 a ...

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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

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Ireland - Literature and the arts. Main articles: Irish literature, and Irish art, and [[{{{3}}}]], and 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

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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 (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 significant admixture to the gene pool. However the greater part of the Irish population descends from the original inhabitants of the islan ...

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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

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The Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod oversees security for the House of Lords, whilst the Serjeant-at-Arms does the same for the House of Commons. These officers, however, have primarily ceremonial roles outside the actual chambers of their respective Houses. Security is the responsibility of the Palace of Westminster Division of the Metropolitan Police, the police force for the Greater London area. Probably the most famous attempt to breach the security of the Palace of Westminster occurred with the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. The plot w ...

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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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Sir Charles Barry's design for the Palace of Westminster uses the Perpendicular Gothic style, which was originally popular during the 15th century and returned during the Gothic revival of the 19th century. Barry was himself a classical architect, but he was aided by the Gothic architect Augustus Pugin. Westminster Hall, which was built in the 11th century and survived the fire of 1834, was incorporated in Barry's design. Pugin was displeased with the result of the work, especially with the symmetrical layout designed by Barry; he famously remarked, "All Grecian, sir; Tudor details on a classic body." < ...

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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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Ireland - Transport. Main articles: Transport in Ireland, and [[{{{2}}}]], and [[{{{3}}}]], and [[{{{4}}}]], an ...

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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

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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 - 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

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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 ...

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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

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