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The Beginning
The House of Windsor came into being in 1917, when the name was adopted as the British Royal Family's official name by a proclamation of King George V, replacing the historic name of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. It remains the family name of the current Royal Family. -
George V
George V adopted the new medium of radio to broadcast across the Empire at Christmas -
George VI
George VI became King unexpectedly following the abdication of his brother, King Edward VIII, in December 1936. -
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George VI's reign
His greatest achievements came during the Second World War, when he remained for most of the time at Buckingham Palace (the Palace was bombed nine times during the war). He and his wife, Queen Elizabeth, visited severely bombed areas in the East End of London and elsewhere in the country, gained him great popularity. -
Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain is the longest-reigning monarch in British history. She celebrated 65 years on the throne in February 2017 with her Sapphire Jubilee. -
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Elizabeth II's Reign
She’s one of the most iconic figures in world history: a queen whose reign has outlasted all other British monarchs and most other world leaders, too. But though she stands for the continuity and tradition of the English monarchy, Elizabeth II’s reign has been anything but predictable. Since she took the throne in 1952, the queen has redefined what it means to be a monarch—and withstood a tremendous amount of change within her family, her country, and the world.
