Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away on September 8, 2022, was a beloved figure and a symbol of stability and unity in the United Kingdom. She was known and loved by people all over the world, and her death has been met with an outpouring of grief and condolences.
One of the questions that many people have been asking is what was Queen Elizabeth's last name. This may seem like a simple question, but it's actually a bit more complicated than it seems. Queen Elizabeth's last name changed several times throughout her life, due to her marriages and her position as monarch.
In this article, we'll take a look at Queen Elizabeth's family name and how it changed over time. We'll also explore the history of the British monarchy and the role that the last name plays in the royal family.
What was Queen Elizabeth's Last Name?
Queen Elizabeth's last name changed several times throughout her life. Here are nine important points to know:
- Born as Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor
- Married Philip Mountbatten in 1947
- Took the last name Mountbatten
- Became Queen Elizabeth II in 1952
- Reverted to the last name Windsor in 1960
- House of Windsor established in 1917
- Descendants of Queen Victoria
- Name changed from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
- Due to anti-German sentiment during WWI
Queen Elizabeth's last name was a reflection of her family history and her position as monarch. It changed over time due to marriages, royal tradition, and historical events.
Born as Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor
Queen Elizabeth II was born on April 21, 1926, to Prince Albert, Duke of York (later King George VI), and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. Her full name at birth was Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor.
The name "Windsor" was adopted by the British royal family in 1917, during the First World War. Before that, the royal family's last name was Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. The change was made to distance the royal family from its German roots, due to anti-German sentiment during the war.
Elizabeth's father, Prince Albert, was the second son of King George V and Queen Mary. He became King George VI in 1936, following the abdication of his elder brother, King Edward VIII. Elizabeth became heir presumptive to the throne and was known as Princess Elizabeth.
In 1947, Elizabeth married Philip Mountbatten, a former prince of Greece and Denmark. Philip took the last name Mountbatten, which was the anglicized version of his mother's family name, Battenberg. After their marriage, Elizabeth became known as Princess Elizabeth Mountbatten.
When Elizabeth's father, King George VI, died in 1952, she became Queen Elizabeth II. She chose to retain the last name Windsor, which was the name of the royal house at the time.
Married Philip Mountbatten in 1947
Queen Elizabeth II married Philip Mountbatten on November 20, 1947, at Westminster Abbey in London. Their marriage was a significant event, and it was broadcast live on the radio to millions of people around the world.
- Royal Engagement:
Elizabeth and Philip's engagement was announced in July 1947. Philip had to renounce his Greek and Danish royal titles and convert to Anglicanism before the marriage could take place.
- Wedding Ceremony:
The wedding ceremony was a grand affair, with over 2,000 guests in attendance. Elizabeth wore a beautiful gown designed by Norman Hartnell, and Philip wore a naval uniform.
- Change of Surname:
After their marriage, Philip took the last name Mountbatten, which was the anglicized version of his mother's family name, Battenberg. Elizabeth became known as Princess Elizabeth Mountbatten.
- Family Life:
Elizabeth and Philip had four children together: Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward. They also had eight grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.
Philip was a devoted husband and a strong supporter of the Queen. He was also a popular figure in his own right, and he was known for his wit and his sense of humor.
Took the last name Mountbatten
When Queen Elizabeth II married Philip Mountbatten in 1947, she took his last name. This was a significant change, as it meant that she was no longer using the last name of her father, King George VI.
- Reason for the Change:
The change of last name was likely due to a number of factors. One reason may have been to show solidarity with her husband and his family. Another reason may have been to simplify the royal family's name, as it had become quite long and cumbersome.
- Public Reaction:
The public reaction to the change of last name was mixed. Some people were supportive, while others were critical. Some people felt that the Queen should have kept her father's last name, while others felt that it was appropriate for her to take her husband's name.
- Official Documents:
The change of last name also affected the Queen's official documents. Her passport, driver's license, and other official documents were all changed to reflect her new last name.
- Royal Family Name:
The change of last name did not affect the name of the royal family. The royal family's name remained Windsor, as it had been since 1917.
Queen Elizabeth II used the last name Mountbatten for five years, from 1947 to 1952. In 1952, she became Queen and chose to revert to the last name Windsor, which was the name of the royal house at the time.
Became Queen Elizabeth II in 1952
Queen Elizabeth II became Queen on February 6, 1952, following the death of her father, King George VI. She was 25 years old at the time.
- Accession to the Throne:
Elizabeth's accession to the throne was a significant event, and it was marked by a number of ceremonies and traditions. She was crowned Queen at Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953, in a ceremony that was attended by dignitaries from all over the world.
- Choice of Name:
When Elizabeth became Queen, she had the option of choosing a new regnal name. She could have chosen any name she wanted, but she decided to keep her own first name, Elizabeth. She became known as Queen Elizabeth II, following in the footsteps of her great-great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth I.
- Change of Surname:
When Elizabeth became Queen, she also had the option of changing her last name. She could have chosen to keep her husband's last name, Mountbatten, or she could have reverted to her father's last name, Windsor. She chose to revert to the last name Windsor, which was the name of the royal house at the time.
- Royal Style and Title:
As Queen, Elizabeth's full style and title was "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." This title reflected her role as the head of state of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms.
Queen Elizabeth II reigned for over 70 years, making her the longest-reigning monarch in British history. She was a beloved figure and a symbol of stability and unity in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
Reverted to the last name Windsor in 1960
In 1952, when Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne, she took the last name Windsor, which was the name of the royal house at the time. However, in 1960, she decided to revert to the last name Mountbatten-Windsor.
There are a few possible reasons why Queen Elizabeth II made this change. One reason may have been to honor her husband, Prince Philip, and his family. Another reason may have been to simplify the royal family's name, as it had become quite long and cumbersome.
The change of last name was also a way to distinguish the royal family from other members of the Mountbatten family. Prior to 1960, all members of the royal family used the last name Mountbatten, regardless of whether or not they were directly related to the Queen.
The decision to revert to the last name Windsor was not without controversy. Some people felt that the Queen should have kept the last name Mountbatten, as it was a more modern and recognizable name. Others felt that it was appropriate for the Queen to revert to the last name Windsor, as it was the name of the royal house.
In the end, Queen Elizabeth II decided to revert to the last name Windsor, and this has been the royal family's last name ever since.
House of Windsor established in 1917
The House of Windsor is the current reigning royal house of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms. It was established in 1917 by King George V, who changed the name of the royal house from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to Windsor.
- Reason for the Change:
The change of name was prompted by anti-German sentiment during the First World War. The royal family was of German origin, and the name Saxe-Coburg and Gotha was seen as too German for a British royal house.
- Choice of Name:
King George V chose the name Windsor because it was the name of Windsor Castle, which has been a royal residence for over 900 years. Windsor is also a town in Berkshire, England, where the castle is located.
- Members of the House of Windsor:
The current members of the House of Windsor include Queen Elizabeth II, her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Some of the most well-known members of the royal family include Prince Charles, Prince William, and Prince Harry.
- Future of the House of Windsor:
The House of Windsor is expected to continue to reign for many years to come. Prince Charles is the heir to the throne, and he is expected to succeed his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, when she dies or abdicates.
The House of Windsor is a relatively new royal house, but it has quickly become one of the most famous and respected royal families in the world. The royal family is a symbol of stability and unity in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms.
Descendants of Queen Victoria
Queen Victoria reigned as Queen of the United Kingdom from 1837 to 1901. She was a very influential monarch, and she is often referred to as "the grandmother of Europe" because of her many children and grandchildren who married into other royal families across Europe.
Queen Elizabeth II is a descendent of Queen Victoria. She is Queen Victoria's great-great-granddaughter. This means that Queen Elizabeth II is a direct descendent of the royal houses of many European countries, including Germany, Russia, and Spain.
Queen Victoria's descendents have played an important role in British history. Her son, King Edward VII, reigned from 1901 to 1910 and was known as "the peacemaker" because of his efforts to maintain peace between Britain and other European countries.
Queen Victoria's grandson, King George V, reigned from 1910 to 1936 and was known as "the sailor king" because of his love of the sea. He also oversaw the transition from the British Empire to the Commonwealth of Nations.
Queen Elizabeth II is the most recent descendent of Queen Victoria to sit on the British throne. She has reigned since 1952 and is the longest-reigning monarch in British history. She is also the head of the Commonwealth of Nations, which is a voluntary association of 54 independent countries.
Name changed from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
In 1917, King George V changed the name of the British royal house from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to Windsor.
- Reason for the Change:
The change of name was prompted by anti-German sentiment during the First World War. The royal family was of German origin, and the name Saxe-Coburg and Gotha was seen as too German for a British royal house.
- Public Reaction:
The public reaction to the change of name was mixed. Some people felt that the change was necessary, while others felt that it was a betrayal of the royal family's German heritage.
- Official Documents:
The change of name also affected the royal family's official documents. Their passports, driver's licenses, and other official documents were all changed to reflect the new name.
- Royal Family Name:
The change of name did not affect the name of the royal family. They continued to be known as the House of Windsor.
The change of name from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to Windsor was a significant event in British history. It marked a break with the royal family's German past and helped to create a new, more British identity for the royal family.
Due to anti-German sentiment during WWI
During the First World War, there was a strong anti-German sentiment in Britain. This was due to a number of factors, including the fact that Britain and Germany were on opposite sides of the war, and that Germany was seen as the aggressor.
The anti-German sentiment also extended to the British royal family, who were of German origin. The royal family's last name, Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, was seen as too German for a British royal house.
In response to the anti-German sentiment, King George V decided to change the name of the royal house from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to Windsor. This was a significant change, as it marked a break with the royal family's German past.
The change of name was also a way to show solidarity with the British people, who were suffering greatly during the war. It was a way to show that the royal family was on the side of the British people, and that they were willing to make sacrifices for their country.
The change of name from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to Windsor was a significant event in British history. It marked a new beginning for the royal family, and it helped to create a new, more British identity for the monarchy.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about Queen Elizabeth's last name:
Question 1: What was Queen Elizabeth's last name?
Answer: Queen Elizabeth's last name was Windsor.
Question 2: Why did Queen Elizabeth's last name change several times throughout her life?
Answer: Queen Elizabeth's last name changed several times because she was married twice and she became Queen.
Question 3: What was Queen Elizabeth's last name when she was born?
Answer: Queen Elizabeth's last name was Windsor when she was born.
Question 4: What was Queen Elizabeth's last name when she married Prince Philip?
Answer: Queen Elizabeth's last name was Mountbatten when she married Prince Philip.
Question 5: What was Queen Elizabeth's last name when she became Queen?
Answer: Queen Elizabeth's last name was Windsor when she became Queen.
Question 6: Why did Queen Elizabeth change her last name back to Windsor in 1960?
Answer: Queen Elizabeth changed her last name back to Windsor in 1960 to simplify the royal family's name and to distinguish the royal family from other members of the Mountbatten family.
Question 7: What is the last name of the British royal family today?
Answer: The last name of the British royal family today is Windsor.
Closing Paragraph: Queen Elizabeth's last name changed several times throughout her life due to her marriages and her position as monarch. However, she is best known by her last name, Windsor, which is the name of the British royal house.
Here are some additional tips for remembering Queen Elizabeth's last name:
Tips
Here are some tips for remembering Queen Elizabeth's last name:
Tip 1: Associate her last name with the British royal family.
Queen Elizabeth's last name, Windsor, is the name of the British royal house. This is a good way to remember her last name, as it is closely associated with the royal family.
Tip 2: Think of the Windsor Castle.
Windsor Castle is one of the official residences of the British royal family. It is located in the town of Windsor, which is where the royal family gets its name from. Thinking of Windsor Castle can help you to remember Queen Elizabeth's last name.
Tip 3: Remember that her father's last name was also Windsor.
Queen Elizabeth's father, King George VI, also had the last name Windsor. This is because the royal family changed its name from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to Windsor in 1917. Knowing that her father's last name was also Windsor can help you to remember Queen Elizabeth's last name.
Tip 4: Look for the word "Windsor" in other contexts.
The word "Windsor" is used in a variety of other contexts, such as the town of Windsor in Ontario, Canada, and the Windsor knot, a type of necktie knot. Paying attention to the word "Windsor" in other contexts can help you to remember Queen Elizabeth's last name.
Closing Paragraph: By following these tips, you can easily remember Queen Elizabeth's last name, Windsor.
Now that you know Queen Elizabeth's last name, you can learn more about her fascinating life and reign.
Conclusion
Queen Elizabeth's last name, Windsor, is a reflection of her family history and her position as monarch. It changed several times throughout her life due to her marriages and the changing traditions of the royal family.
Queen Elizabeth's last name is a reminder of the long and storied history of the British monarchy. It is also a reminder of the Queen's own remarkable life and reign.
Closing Message: Queen Elizabeth II was a beloved figure and a symbol of stability and unity in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. She will be remembered for her grace, her dignity, and her unwavering dedication to her people.