Introduction.
The British Monarchy has never been more popular than it is today. Her Majesty the Queen is a thoroughly modern Sovereign: at once a down-to-earth, hard-working wife and mother and the most experienced Head of State in the world. No one would dispute that she has managed to combine with distinction her public and private lives. The Queen and her family are admired and loved not only for their personal qualities and achievements but also for the special contribution they make to the life of Britain and the Commonwealth. This album presents a special collection featuring eleven royal portraits.
The Queen.
Her Majesty's full titles, which were accorded her at her coronation in Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953, are: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and of her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith. Yet she is known the world over simply as 'The Queen'. When a Frenchman refers to La Reine, every other Frenchman knows immediately that he is talking about Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty was born at 2.40 a.m. precisely on Wednesday, 21 April 1926, the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth) and her full names are: Elizabeth Alexandra Mary. In the early hours of 6 February 1952, her father died in his sleep and Elizabeth became the forty-second Sovereign of England since William the Conqueror, yet only its sixth Queen Regnant, reigning in her own right.
Coming to the Throne at the age of twenty-five, she was the youngest Sovereign this century and she has now reigned longer than any other living monarch. In 1947 the then Princess Elizabeth married Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten, who had been created Duke of Edinburgh shortly before the wedding day and the Royal couple have four children: The Prince of Wales (born l948), The Princess Royal (1950), The Duke of York (1960) and Prince Edward (1964).
Рис. 1
Follow-up Activities. Are the following sentences True or False?
- She is known the world over as Elizabeth the Second.
- Her Majesty was born at night on Wednesday, 21 April 1926.
- She was the last child of the Duke and Duchess of York.
- Her full names are: Elizabeth Alexandra Mary.
- Her father died in his sleep in the early hours of 6 February 1952.
- Elizabeth became the fifty-second Sovereign of England since William the Conqueror.
- Coming to the Throne at the age of twenty-five, she was the youngest Sovereign this century.
- In 1974 the then Princess Elizabeth married Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten.
Discussion Questions.
- Do you know Her Majesty’s full titles?
- Who does a Frenchman refer to when he says La Reine?
- What happened to Elizabeth’s father on 6 February 1952?
- Elizabeth was very young when she became the Queen. Why?
- What do you know about the Queen’s husband?
- How many children are there in the Royal family?
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh with their grandchildren.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh openly admit that they are doting grandparents. When Peter Phillips, Princess Anne's son, was born on 15 November 1977 it was the only occasion that Her Majesty was late for an engagement. She was due to preside at an Investiture at Buckingham Palace and arrived ten minutes late, announcing to the waiting audience that “I have just become a grandmother.” Peter's birth was a historic moment as he was the first Royal grandchild in 500 years to be born a commoner. Her Majesty and His Royal Highness enjoy the company of their grandchildren and both Peter and Zara (Princess Anne's daughter born in 1981) are frequently seen riding their ponies with them at Windsor and Sandringham.
The Queen always takes her two older grandchildren with her on the annual summer cruise in the Royal Yacht Britannia before spending part of their holidays at Balmoral. The Royal couple's third grandchild, Prince William of Wales was born in 1982 and his brother Prince Henry, who is called Harry by the rest of the family, was born in 1984. A fifth grandchild, Princess Beatrice, the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York, was born on 8 August 1988 - the eighth day of the eighth month of the eighty-eighth year of the century.
At Christmas, Her Majesty and His Royal Highness like nothing more than to be surrounded by their children and grandchildren, nephews and nieces, and when they all gather at Windsor Castle, the family party numbers nearly fifty.
Рис. 2
Follow-up Activities. Are the following sentences True or False?
- Her Majesty was never late for an engagement.
- She didn’t announce to the waiting audience that she had become a grandmother.
- Peter’s birth was a historic moment as he was the first Royal grandchild in 500 years to be born a commoner.
- Peter and Zara are frequently seen riding their ponies at London zoo.
- The Queen never takes her two older grandchildren on the annual summer cruise in the Royal Yacht Britannia.
- At Christmas, Her Majesty and His Royal Highness like nothing more than to be surrounded by their children and grandchildren.
- The family party numbers nearly seventy.
Discussion Questions.
- What was the only occasion that Her Majesty was ten minutes late for an engagement.
- Why was Peter’s birth a historic moment?
- Where can the grandparents and grandchildren be frequently seen?
- How many grandchildren are there in the Royal family?
- At Christmas, they all gather at Windsor Castle. Why?
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.
Her Majesty The Queen with her Consort, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Their marriage is now in its fifth decade, their wedding having taken place at Westminster Abbey on 20 November 1947. While The Queen has had to sacrifice many of the usual benefits normally associated with being a wife and mother to concentrate on affairs of State, her husband has been her strongest supporter and staunchest ally for more than forty years. Shortly before their wedding King George VI created Philip Duke of Edinburgh, with the subsidiary titles Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich.
Ten years later, Princess Elizabeth, by now Queen Elizabeth II, issued a decree whereby her husband was henceforth to be known as a Royal Prince. Since then His Royal Highness's value to the Crown has been recognized many times. He is a Knight of the Garter and a Knight of the Thistle; he is also a Privy Councillor and he holds one of the most prestigious honours Britain can bestow, the Order of Merit.
While he has had to defer to his wife in public throughout their married life, he has managed to maintain an independence which has enabled him to make an outstanding contribution to the public life of the country and Commonwealth, but perhaps his greatest achievement has been to provide a stable and happy background for this most public of families. On the occasion of their Ruby Wedding anniversary in 1987, The Queen remarked: “Marriage? I am all for it.”
Рис. 3
Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother is as old as the century, having been born Lady Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon on 4 August 1900. She was the ninth of ten children of the Earl and Countess of Strathmore whose family seat remains at Glarmis Castle in Scotland. She married Prince Albert, 'Bertie', the second son of King George V, on 26 April 1923 and her husband acceded to the Throne on the abdication of his elder brother King Edward VIII on 11 December 1936.
They remained in London throughout the Second World War and when it was suggested that their two daughters Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret, should leave the capital for a safer place, Queen Elizabeth gave her now famous answer. 'The children will not leave unless I leave, I will not leave unless The King leaves… The King will never leave.' When King George VI died in 1952, Queen Elizabeth moved from Buckingham Palace to Clarence House, where she has lived ever since.
Her Majesty is associated with more than 300 organizations throughout the world, and she still carries out a large number of official engagements every year. She shares with her daughter, The Queen, a deep love of horse-racing, with her own racing colours, which are blue with buff stripes and blue sleeves, and a black cap with a gold tassel.
Known affectionately throughout the world as 'the Queen Mum', her official designation is Queen Elizabeth, thus distinguishing her from her daughter who shares her name and who is called simply “ The Queen “.
Рис. 4
Follow-up Activities. Are the following sentences True or False?
- Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother is as old as the century.
- She has been born Lady Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon on 4 August 1800.
- She was the first of ten children of the Earl and Countess of Strathmore in Scotland.
- She married Prince Albert, the last son of King George V.
- Her husband acceded to the Throne on the abdication of his elder brother King Edward VIII on 11 December 1936.
- They didn’t remain in London throughout the Second World War.
- Their two daughters Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret left the capital for a safer place during the Second World War.
Discussion Questions.
- Being the second son of King George V, Prince Albert acceded to the Throne on 11 December 1936. Why?
- During the Second World War it was suggested that the two daughters should leave the capital for a safer place. The Queen Elizabeth gave her now famous answer. What did she say?
- Where does the Queen live after the death of her husband King George VI?
- Do you know what kind of a deep love does the Queen share with her daughter?
- How do people simply call the Queen Mother?
Princess Margaret.
The Queen's younger sister Princess Margaret Rose was born in Scotland at Claims Castle on 21 August 1930, the second child of the then Prince Albert, Duke of York and Elizabeth, the Duchess of York (now the Queen Mother).
In her youth she was regarded as one of the most glamorous young women other day and she was frequently seen at the most fashionable restaurants and night clubs. The Princess married Antony Armstrong-Jones on 6 May 1960 at Westminster Abbey, the bridegroom being created Earl of Snowdon the following year.
Two children were born: David Albert Charles Armstrong-Jones, Viscount Linley, on 3 November 1961 and Lady Sarah Frances Elizabeth Armstrong-Jones on I May 1964. In May 1978, after eighteen years of marriage, Princess Margaret and her husband were divorced.
He has since remarried but Her Royal Highness has never given the slightest indication of doing so. She lives in a Grace and Favour apartment in The Clock Court at Kensington Palace from where she carries out a large number of official engagements. She has been President of The Royal Ballet since 1957 and many other closest friends are involved in the arts. She is also associated with the Girl Guide Movement and St. John Ambulance.
Her greatest interest, however, is the theatre, and the Princess is a pianist of near professional ability, with a beautiful singing voice and a delightful talent for mimicry.
Рис. 5
Follow-up Activities. Are the following sentences True or False?
- The Queen’s younger sister Princess Margaret Rose was born in Buckingham Palace.
- In her youth she was frequently seen at the most fashionable restaurants and night clubs.
- The Princess married Anthony Armstrong – Jones on 6 May 1960 at Claims Castle.
- Princess Margaret has three children.
- In May 1978, after eighteen years of marriage, Princess Margaret and her husband were divorced.
- She lives at Kensington Palace.
- She has been President of The Royal Opera since 1957.
- She is also associated with the Girl Guide Movement and St. John Ambulance.
- Her greatest interest is the theatre.
Discussion Questions.
- How was Princess Margaret regarded in her youth?
- Who did she marry? Is she happy with her husband?
- Did Princess Margaret remarry?
- She carries out a large number of official engagements. What are they?
- Her greatest interest is the theatre. Why?
Литература:
The Royal Family. Portrait Album. c. 1-25.