British monarchs facts for kids
Here is a list of the Kings and Queens who have ruled Great Britain, Ireland, and later the United Kingdom. These are the monarchs who reigned after England and Scotland officially joined together in 1707 to form Great Britain. Later, in 1801, Great Britain and Ireland united to form the United Kingdom. If you want to learn about earlier rulers, you can look at the English monarchs and Scottish monarchs.
Contents
Monarchs of Great Britain and Ireland (1707-1801)
This section covers the rulers from when Great Britain was formed until Ireland joined the union.
The House of Stuart
The House of Stuart ruled both England and Scotland before they united. Queen Anne was the last Stuart monarch and the first ruler of the new Kingdom of Great Britain.
- Queen Anne (1702 - 1714)
- Queen Anne was the ruler when England and Scotland joined together in 1707. This created the Kingdom of Great Britain.
The House of Hanover
After Queen Anne, the throne passed to the House of Hanover. These rulers came from Germany.
- King George I (1714 - 1727)
- George I became king because he was a Protestant relative of Queen Anne. He was the first Hanoverian king.
- King George II (1727 - 1760)
- George II was the son of George I. He was the last British monarch to lead his army in battle.
- King George III (1760 - 1801)
- George III was the grandson of George II. He was king when the American colonies declared their independence.
Monarchs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1801-1927)
In 1801, Great Britain and Ireland officially joined together. This created the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
The House of Hanover (continued)
The Hanoverian kings continued to rule after the union with Ireland.
- King George III (1801 - 1820)
- George III continued his reign after the union with Ireland. He suffered from illness later in his life.
- King George IV (1820 - 1830)
- George IV was the son of George III. He served as Regent (ruler in place of the king) for his father from 1811 to 1820.
- King William IV (1830 - 1837)
- William IV was the younger brother of George IV. He was known as the "Sailor King" because he served in the Royal Navy.
- Queen Victoria (1837 - 1901)
- Queen Victoria had a very long reign, lasting 63 years. She became a symbol of the British Empire.
The House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
The royal family's name changed when Queen Victoria's son, Edward VII, became king. His father, Prince Albert, was from the German House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.
- King Edward VII (1901 - 1910)
- Edward VII was Queen Victoria's son. His reign was known as the Edwardian era.
The House of Windsor
In 1917, during World War I, King George V changed the royal family's name from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to Windsor. This was because Saxe-Coburg and Gotha sounded very German, and the United Kingdom was at war with Germany.
- King George V (1910 - 1921)
- George V was the son of Edward VII. He changed the royal family's name to Windsor in 1917.
Monarchs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (1927-present)
In 1921, most of Ireland became independent. Only Northern Ireland remained part of the United Kingdom. The name of the country officially changed in 1927.
The House of Windsor (continued)
The House of Windsor continues to be the ruling family today.
- King George V (1921 - 1936)
- George V continued his reign after the change in the United Kingdom's name.
- King Edward VIII (1936)
- Edward VIII was the son of George V. He chose to give up his throne (abdicate) in 1936.
- King George VI (1936 - 1952)
- George VI was the younger brother of Edward VIII. He became king after his brother abdicated. He was king during World War II.
- Queen Elizabeth II (1952 - 2022)
- Queen Elizabeth II had the longest reign of any British monarch, ruling for 70 years.
- King Charles III (2022 - present)
- Charles III is the son of Queen Elizabeth II. He became king in 2022.
Images for kids
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A friendly robot.
See also
In Spanish: Anexo:Monarcas británicos para niños
