The Queen family tree traces the British royal family from Queen Elizabeth II back through the House of Windsor to Queen Victoria, and further to the Hanoverian and Stuart lines. This article outlines the key branches, recent generations, and common questions about royal ancestry.
The House of Windsor and Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II was born in 1926 to the Duke and Duchess of York, later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother). Her father became king in 1936 after the abdication of his brother Edward VIII. Elizabeth married Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark in 1947, and they had four children: Charles, Anne, Andrew, and Edward. When Elizabeth died in 2022, her eldest son became King Charles III.
From Queen Victoria to Elizabeth II
The current royal family descends from Queen Victoria (r. 1837–1901) and her husband Prince Albert. Their eldest son became King Edward VII, whose son George V renamed the royal house from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to Windsor during World War I. George V’s second son became King George VI after the abdication of Edward VIII, and his daughter was Elizabeth II. This line is often called the House of Windsor, but biologically it continues the Saxe-Coburg and Gotha line through Prince Albert.
King Charles III and the Current Generation
Charles III, born 1948, is the eldest child of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. He married Lady Diana Spencer in 1981; they had two sons, William and Harry. After their divorce, Charles married Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005, who became Queen Consort in 2022. William, now Prince of Wales, is the heir apparent. He married Catherine Middleton in 2011, and they have three children: George, Charlotte, and Louis. Harry, Duke of Sussex, married Meghan Markle in 2018, and they have two children, Archie and Lilibet.
Extended Family and Younger Branches
Elizabeth II’s other children have their own families. Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, has two children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, from her first marriage to Mark Phillips. Prince Andrew, Duke of York, has two daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, from his marriage to Sarah Ferguson. Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, has two children, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex, with his wife Sophie. These grandchildren and great-grandchildren are all in the line of succession, though the order is determined by birth order and the 2013 Succession to the Crown Act, which ended male-preference primogeniture.
Historical Ancestry: Stuarts, Hanoverians, and Beyond
Tracing further back, the royal family descends from the House of Hanover, which began with George I in 1714. The Hanoverians were descended from the Stuarts through Sophia of Hanover, granddaughter of James I. The Stuart line itself connects to the Tudors and the medieval Plantagenets. Through Queen Victoria’s mother, Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, the family also has German princely ancestry. The family tree also includes distant links to many European royal houses, including Danish, Greek, and Russian, through marriages over centuries.
Common Misconceptions About the Family Tree
A frequent misconception is that the royal family is purely British. In fact, the current dynasty has significant German ancestry through Prince Albert and the Saxe-Coburg line. Another error is confusing the House of Windsor with a biological break: the name was changed in 1917, but the genetic line continued. Also, many people think that the family name is Windsor, but male-line descendants of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip technically use Mountbatten-Windsor, though the royal house remains Windsor. The surname is used for official documents, but royals often do not use a surname at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the current head of the royal family?
King Charles III is the current monarch and head of the Commonwealth. He ascended the throne on 8 September 2022, upon the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
How many grandchildren does Queen Elizabeth II have?
Queen Elizabeth II had eight grandchildren: Peter Phillips, Zara Tindall, Prince William, Prince Harry, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Lady Louise Windsor, and James, Earl of Wessex.
What is the line of succession after King Charles?
The first in line is Prince William, Prince of Wales, followed by his children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Then comes Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and his children, Archie and Lilibet.
Why is the royal family called Windsor?
In 1917, King George V changed the royal house name from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to Windsor to sound more British during World War I. The name comes from Windsor Castle.
Are there any illegitimate branches in the family tree?
Historically, there are several illegitimate lines, such as the Beaufort family, descended from John of Gaunt’s children by Katherine Swynford, who were later legitimized. However, they were barred from the throne, though they later married into the royal line.
Does the family tree include other European monarchs?
Yes, through Queen Victoria, who was called the “grandmother of Europe,” many European royal families are related. Her descendants include monarchs of Denmark, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the former royal families of Greece, Romania, and Russia.
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