Monarchy plays an important role in the UK and Commonwealth. The web-site provides information on the work of the Queen in modern society, history of kings and queens through the ages, background on Royal residences and art collections and coverage of recent Royal events. It updates every month and new facts are added during the current month.
Let’s have a look at the map of the site:
- The Monarchy Today
- The Royal Family
- History
- Art and Residences
- Insight Magazine
These are some practical ideas and activities how to use this site.
Activity 1. Can you fill in The Queen’s identity card E II R?
- Surname
- Name
- Date of birth
- Place of birth
- Parents
- Grandparents
- Marriage
- Accession to the throne
- Coronation
- Official birthday
- Education
- Sisters and brothers
- Hobbies
- Pets
You can use the following information:
Windsor, Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, London , April, 21 1926, Duke and Duchess of York, King George V and Queen Mary, 20, November 1947, 6, January 1952, 2, June, 1953, second Saturday in June, educated at home, one sister Margaret, riding, horse racing, walking with dogs, Scottish country dancing, 5 corgies,4 dorgies,5 cocker spaniels.
More information can be found www.royal.gov.uk/print/page266.asp
If you successfully filled the ID card you may ask why The Queen has two birthdays.
Activity 2. One Queen, two birthdays
Before reading the text on the net check your predictions; true or false?
- The tradition of having an official birthday was begun for practical reasons.
- Queen Victoria was the first Sovereign to mark her official birthday on a separate day to her actual birthday.
- King George VI was born in the mid-October and “moved” his birthday to June.
- The Queen usually spends her actual birthday privately at Windsor with her family and friends.
- Trooping of the Colour ceremony is marked on the same day as Queen’s official birthday.
Find the necessary information on the net www.royal.gov.uk/print/page4820.asp
Activity 3. 80th Birthday
In 2006 The Queen celebrated her 80 birthday. Look at 80 facts about The Queen and choose 1 or 2 to speak about.
Example : The Queen speaks fluent French and often uses the language for Audiences and State visits. Her Majesty doesn’t require an interpreter.
- How important is the knowledge of foreign languages?
- How often do you use any foreign language for communication?
- What do you think how many languages a person should know?
- What is the best way to learn a language?
If you want to know the other 79 facts from the life of Her Majesty you have to go to www.royal.gov.uk/output/page4822.asp
Activity 4. Royal residences
Everybody knows about Buckingham palace, but do you know where The Queen and Royal family usually spend Christmas.
It’s Sandringham House in Norfolk. It has been the private home of four generations of Sovereigns since 1862. The Queen and other members of the Royal family spend Christmas there and make it their official base until February each year.
From Sandringham House The Queen addresses the people with Christmas Speech.
Look at some quotations from 2006 Speech and express your opinion about it.
“The birth of a baby brings great happiness-but then the business of growing up begins. It is a process that starts within the protection and care of parents and other members of the family-including the older generation”
“But the pressures of modern life sometimes seem to be wakening the links which have traditionally kept us together as families and communities. As children grow up and develop their own sense of confidence and independence in the ever changing technological environment, there is always the danger of a real divide opening up between young and old, based of unfamiliarity, ignorance and misunderstanding”
“I especially value the opportunities I have had to meet young people. I am impressed by their energy and vitality, and by their ambitions.”
“Christmas marks the birth of our Saviour, but it is also a wonderful occasion to bring the generations together in a shared festival of peace, tolerance and good will”
Do you have the same problems in your country? Is there a generation gap in families in your country?
Is it close to you personally? Why? Why not?
Can the speech be addressed to the people of the world?
If you want to read the text of the Christmas Broadcast 2006 you can find it at www.royal.gov.uk/print/Page5718.asp
Information about royal residences is www.royal.gov.uk/output/page553.asp
Activity 5. Ceremonies
Visitors and tourists try to watch impressive Royal ceremonies, some are well known to everybody others are not. Do you know about Royal Maundy Service?
The word “Mandy” comes from the command”mandatum’ by Christ at the Last Supper, to love one another. Every year at Easter The Queen presents special “Mandy money to local pensioners in a UK cathedral or abbey. The number of recipients is related to the Sovereign’s age: in 2006 there were 80 male and 80 female at Guildford Cathedral.
To know more about Royal ceremonies you have to go to www.royal.gov.uk/print/page4947.asp
Activity 6. Questions and answers
If you have any questions about the Royal Family or about The Queen, you can send them to Royal Insight Mailbox and the answer will be published in Insight Magazine.
For example: “I always admire The Queen’s pearl necklace that she is often seen wearing to her engagements. When did she acquire this stylish piece of jewellery?”
The necklace to which you are referring is likely to be a triple string of pearls given to The Queen by her grandfather, King George V, to celebrate her Silver Jubilee when she was a young girl. The Queen also has another three0row necklace which is made of graduated pearls from the family collection, which was made up with a diamond clasp shortly after her accession.
So you can see that even personal questions are answered.
The more you exploit the site the more material you will find for teaching and learning.