The current British Royal Family are the House of Windsor. The House of Windsor was created in the First World War, when King George V changed the family’s name from the German Saxe-Coburg Gotha, to Windsor, the name of their Castle in Berkshire. The current monarch is Queen Elizabeth II, who began her reign on 6th February 1952, at the death of her Father.

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The monarchy operates as a constitutional monarchy, so the sovereign has no real power. However, the Queen has to approve all Parliamentary legislature, and reads the information from Parliament every day in her, ‘red boxes.’

The royal family’s main role is charity work; they are patrons of many different charities, organisations and causes all over the world. Each individual member champions the causes close to their heart and personal experiences. For example, as a sufferer of Dyslexia, Princess Beatrice is patron of the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre. The Duke of Cambridge is passionate about conservation and wildlife, and therefore is patron of Tusk Trust.

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The royal family is also a personification of the UK. They act as a way to enable the UK to come together at national celebrations or commemorations. They are a figurehead for the armed forces and the Church of England. There are annual occasions such as Remembrance Sunday when the Queen leads the nation in remembering all who fought, died, and were injured in conflicts since World War One. Their huge involvement in the military means they encourage those in the armed forces, and also in the emergency services, and thank them on behalf of the nation.

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Having witnessed so much in her 66 year reign, HM the Queen is able to offer a listening ear to politicians, who come and go, and who may be facing things for the first time, but that the Queen has seen in her reign at a previous time.

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The royal family embodies the heritage and history of the UK, and keeps the country anchored, grounded and stable, whilst leading us into the future.