British royal family facts for kids
The British royal family includes Charles III, who is the King of the United Kingdom, and his close relatives. There isn't one strict rule about who is or isn't a member. However, the Royal Household has shared different lists of who is part of the family.
The royal family helps the King with his public duties. They also do a lot of work for charities. Many people see the royal family as important cultural icons in Britain.
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Who are the Royal Family Members?
King Charles III is the head of the royal family. He is also the head of state for the United Kingdom and 14 other Commonwealth countries. The King has two children and five grandchildren.
When you meet a member of the royal family, you should first greet them with "Your Royal Highness." This special title is usually for the children of a monarch, the grandchildren of a monarch through their sons, and the children of the Prince of Wales's eldest child. Their wives also get this title.
- The main members of the royal family who work full-time are:
- Other relatives who do some royal duties include:
- Some other members of the royal family have royal titles but do not do official duties. These include:
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The King and Queen Consort
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The Prince and Princess of Wales
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The Princess Royal
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The Earl and Countess of Wessex
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The Duke of Kent
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The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester
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The Duke of York
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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex
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The Duchess of Kent
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Notes
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Royal Titles and Surnames
The children and grandchildren of the monarch (through their sons) usually become princes or princesses. They also get the title His or Her Royal Highness (HRH). Before they get married, most princes are also given special titles called dukedoms.
Not all royal relatives are princes or princesses. For example, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall are children of Princess Anne, the King's sister. They are not princes or princesses. Also, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor and James Mountbatten-Windsor, Viscount Severn could have been called prince and princess. However, their parents, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, wanted them to have simpler titles.
When a male member of the royal family marries, his wife shares his title. For example, the wife of Prince Michael of Kent is known as Princess Michael of Kent. Sons of the monarch are often given dukedoms when they marry. These titles then pass down to their eldest sons.
The surname for male-line descendants of King George V is Windsor. This includes women until they marry. The surname for male-line descendants of Queen Elizabeth II is Mountbatten-Windsor. This name combines "Windsor" with "Mountbatten," which was the surname of her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Members of the royal family who have the title of prince or princess and "Royal Highness" usually don't need to use a surname. However, they do use their surnames on official papers like marriage registers.
What the Royal Family Does
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During Queen Elizabeth II's time, her children, grandchildren, and cousins, along with their spouses, carried out official duties for her. They helped the Queen with her national duties, but not with her constitutional roles.
If the King is unable to perform his duties, two Counsellors of State can step in. These are usually the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Sussex, the Duke of York, and Princess Beatrice.
Each year, the royal family takes part in over 2,000 official events across the UK and worldwide. They host about 70,000 guests and answer 100,000 letters. These events include state funerals, national celebrations, garden parties, and visits to the Armed Forces. Many family members, including the King's brothers and sons, have served in the Armed Forces themselves.
All their public appearances are written down in the Court Circular. This is a list of their daily appointments and events. Often, when they appear in public, royals will do "walkabouts." This is when they greet and talk to people outside events.
Important yearly events the royal family attends include the State Opening of Parliament, Trooping the Colour, and the National Service of Remembrance. Elizabeth II once said that giving out honours was one of the most important things she did. Prince William and Princess Anne also give out these honours.
Family members also visit other countries for the King. They act as ambassadors to help build good relationships between countries. They have also attended Commonwealth meetings for the monarch. The royal family also takes part in state visits when advised by the government. This includes welcoming important visitors and hosting formal dinners.
Some people in the royal court call the family "The Firm." This name started with King George VI. Members of the royal family are expected to be independent in politics and business. This helps them avoid conflicts with their public roles. The royal family is seen as a symbol of British culture. They are also expected to help promote British businesses. Royals are usually members of the Church of England, which the monarch leads.
Members of the royal family support about 3,000 charities. They have also started their own non-profit groups. The King started The Prince's Trust, which helps young people in the UK who are struggling. Princess Anne started The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, which helps people who care for others without pay. This trust gives them emotional support and information.
In 2019, the Duke of York stopped his public duties. This became a permanent change in 2020. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also decided to step back from their royal duties in early 2020. Because of these changes, there are fewer royal family members to cover all the charity work and events.
How the Royal Family is Funded
The main members of the royal family who represent the monarch get their money from public funds. This is called the sovereign grant. The sovereign grant is a payment that the British government gives to the monarch each year. This money comes from the Crown Estate, which are commercial properties owned by the Crown.
Members of the royal family who receive money from the sovereign grant must show how they spend it. They are not allowed to make money just by using their royal name.
The security for the royal family is not paid for by the sovereign grant. Instead, the Metropolitan Police usually covers these costs. The royal family, the Home Office, and the Metropolitan Police decide which members should have police protection paid for by taxpayers. Other family members do not automatically get this protection. For example, in 2011, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie stopped receiving police security.
Royal Residences
The King's main home in London is Buckingham Palace. When a royal baby is born or a royal family member dies, announcements are traditionally put on the railings outside the palace. Queen Elizabeth II's home in Scotland was the Palace of Holyroodhouse. She stayed there at the start of each summer. When in Northern Ireland, Hillsborough Castle is used by members of the royal family.
Clarence House was the official home of Prince Charles (who later became King Charles III) from 2003 until he became King in 2022. Another London home for the Prince of Wales is St James's Palace. He shares this palace with the Princess Royal and Princess Alexandra. Princess Alexandra also lives at Thatched House Lodge in Richmond.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, have their homes and offices in Kensington Palace in London. The Duke and Duchess of Kent live in Wren House on the palace grounds. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's official home in the UK is Frogmore Cottage. The Duke of York lives at the Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park. The Earl and Countess of Wessex live at Bagshot Park in Surrey.
Images for kids
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The King and Queen Consort
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The Prince and Princess of Wales
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The Princess Royal
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The Earl and Countess of Wessex
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The Duke of Kent
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Princess Alexandra
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The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester
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The Duke of York
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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex
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Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie
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The Duchess of Kent
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Prince and Princess Michael of Kent
See also
In Spanish: Familia real británica para niños
- Royal descent
- Military service by British royalty
- Education of the British royal family
- List of honours of the British royal family by country
- List of longest-living members of the British royal family
