Edward IV, Richard III, and William III were the other four. George, upon

his ascension, wrote to Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin concerning the state

of the monarchy: "I am new to the job but I hope that time will be allowed

to me to make amends for what has happened." His brother Edward continued

to advise George on matters of the day, but such advice was a hindrance, as

it was contradictory to policies pursued by George's ministers. The "slim,

quiet man with tired eyes" (as described by Logue) had a troubled reign,

but he did much to leave the monarchy in better condition than he found it.

ELIZABETH II (1952-PRESENT)

Elizabeth II, born April 21, 1926, is the eldest daughter of George VI

and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. She married Philip Mountbatten, a distant cousin,

in 1947; the pair have four children: Charles, Prince of Wales, Anne,

Andrew and Edward. She has reigned for forty-six years, and appears capable

of remaining on the throne for quite some time.

Monarchy, as an institution in Europe, all but disappeared during the two

World Wars: a scant ten monarchs remain today, seven of which have familial

ties to England. Elizabeth is, by far, the best known of these, and is the

most widely traveled Head of State in the world. Her ascension was

accompanied by constitutional innovation; each independent, self-governing

country proclaimed Elizabeth, Queen of their individual state. She approves

of the transformation from Empire to Commonwealth, describing the change as

a "beneficial and civilized metamorphosis." The indivisibility of the crown

was formally abandoned by statute in 1953, and "Head of the Commonwealth"

was added to the long list of royal titles which she possesses.

Elizabeth's travels have won the adulation of her subjects; she is

greeted with honest enthusiasm and warm regard with each visit abroad. She

has been the master link in a chain of unity forged among the various

countries within the Commonwealth. Hence, the monarchy, as well as the

Empire, has evolved - what once was the image of absolute power is now a

symbol of fraternity.

Elizabeth has managed to maintain a division between her public and

private life. She is the first monarch to send her children to boarding

schools in order to remove them from the ever-probing media. She has a

strong sense of duty and diligence and dispatches her queenly business with

great candor, efficiency and dignity. Her knowledge of current situations

and trends is uncannily up to date, often to the embarrassment of her Prime

Ministers. Harold Wilson, upon his retirement, remarked, "I shall certainly

advise my successor to do his homework before his audience." Churchill, who

had served four monarchs, was impressed and delighted by her knowledge and

wit. She possesses a sense of humor rarely exhibited in public where a

dignified presence is her goal.

Elizabeth, like her father before her, raised the character of the

monarchy through her actions. Unfortunately, the actions of her children

have tarnished the royal name. The much publicized divorces of Charles from

Diana and Andrew from Sarah Ferguson have been followed by further

indiscretions by the princes, causing a heavily-taxed populace to rethink

the necessity of a monarchy. Perhaps Elizabeth will not reign as long as

Victoria, but her exceptionally long reign has provided a bright spot in

the life of her country.

THE MONARCHY TODAY

THE QUEEN'S ROLE

The Queen is the United Kingdom's Head of State. As well as carrying out

significant constitutional functions, The Queen also acts as a focus for

national unity, presiding at ceremonial occasions, visiting local

communities and representing Britain around the world. The Queen is also

Head of the Commonwealth. During her reign she has visited all the

Commonwealth countries, going on 'walkabouts' to gain direct contact with

people from all walks of life throughout the world.

Behind and in front of the cameras, The Queen's work goes on. No two days

in The Queen's working life are ever the same.

QUEEN'S ROLE IN THE MODERN STATE

Until the end of the 17th century, British monarchs were executive

monarchs - that is, they had the right to make and pass legislation. Since

the beginning of the eighteenth century, the monarch has become a

constitutional monarch, which means that he or she is bound by rules and

conventions and remains politically impartial.

On almost all matters he or she acts on the advice of ministers. While

acting constitutionally, the Sovereign retains an important political role

as Head of State, formally appointing prime ministers, approving certain

legislation and bestowing honours.

The Queen also has important roles to play in other organisations,

including the Armed Forces and the Church of England.

QUEEN'S ROLE IN THE MODERN STATE

Until the end of the 17th century, British monarchs were executive

monarchs - that is, they had the right to make and pass legislation. Since

the beginning of the eighteenth century, the monarch has become a

constitutional monarch, which means that he or she is bound by rules and

conventions and remains politically impartial.

On almost all matters he or she acts on the advice of ministers. While

acting constitutionally, the Sovereign retains an important political role

as Head of State, formally appointing prime ministers, approving certain

legislation and bestowing honours.

The Queen also has important roles to play in other organisations,

including the Armed Forces and the Church of England.

QUEEN AND COMMONWEALTH

The Queen is not only Queen of the United Kingdom, but Head of the

Commonwealth, a voluntary association of 54 independent countries.

Most of these countries have progressed from British rule to independent

self-government, and the Commonwealth now serves to foster international co-

operation and trade links between people all over the world.

The Queen is also Queen of a number of Commonwealth realms, including

Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

ROYAL VISITS

Visits to all kinds of places throughout the United Kingdom, Commonwealth

and overseas are an important part of the work of The Queen and members of

the Royal family. They allow members of the Royal family to meet people

from all walks of life and backgrounds, to celebrate local and national

achievements and to strengthen friendships between different countries.

Many of the visits are connected to charities and other organisations with

which members of the Royal family are associated. In other cases, royal

visits help to celebrate historic occasions in the life of a region or

nation. All visits are carefully planned to ensure that as many people as

possible have the opportunity to see or meet members of the Royal family.

THE QUEEN'S WORKING DAY

The Queen has many different duties to perform every day. Some are

familiar public duties, such as Investitures, ceremonies, receptions or

visits within the United Kingdom or abroad. Away from the cameras, however,

The Queen's work goes on. It includes reading letters from the public,

official papers and briefing notes; audiences with political ministers or

ambassadors; and meetings with her Private Secretaries to discuss her

future diary plans. No two days are ever the same and The Queen must remain

prepared throughout.

CEREMONIES AND PAGEANTRY

The colourful ceremonies and traditions associated with the British

Monarchy are rich in history and meaning and fascinating to watch. In some,

The Queen takes part in person. In others - such as Guard Mounting or Swan

Upping - the ceremony is performed in The Queen's name. Many of the

ceremonies take place on a regular basis - every year or even every day -

which means that British people and visitors to London and other parts of

the United Kingdom may have an opportunity to see some of these interesting

events take place.

THE QUEEN'S CEREMONIAL DUTIES

The Queen has many ceremonial roles. Some - such as the State Opening of

Parliament, Audiences with new ambassadors and the presentation of

decorations at Investitures - relate to The Queen's role as Head of State.

Others - such as the presentation of Maundy money and the hosting of

garden parties - are historical ceremonies in which kings and queens have

taken part for decades or even centuries.

ROYAL PAGEANTRY AND TRADITIONS

In addition to the events in which The Queen takes part, there are many

other ceremonies and traditions associated with the British Monarchy. Some

of these have military associations, involving troops from the present

Armed Forces as well as the members of the historical royal bodyguard, the

Yeomen of the Guard. Others are traditions which are less well known than

the colourful pageantry but are interesting in their own right. Some - such

as the customary broadcasts by the Sovereign on Christmas Day and

Commonwealth Day - are fairly recent in origin, but have rapidly become

familiar and popular traditions.

ROYAL SUCCESSION

When a sovereign dies, or abdicates, a successor is immediately decided

according to rules which were laid down at the end of the seventeenth

century. The coronation of a new sovereign is a ceremony of great pageantry

and celebration that has remained essentially the same for over a thousand

years. As well as explaining accession, succession and coronation, this

section looks at the titles which have been held by different members of

the Royal Family throughout history.

THE ROYAL HOUSEHOLD

Divided into five departments, the Royal Household assists The Queen in

carrying out her official duties. Members of the Royal Household carry out

the work and roles which were performed by courtiers historically. There

are 645 full-time employees, employed across a wide range of professions.

People employed within the Royal Household are recruited from the general

workforce on merit, in terms of qualifications, experience and aptitude.

Details of the latest vacancies are listed in the Recruitment pages of this

section.

The Royal Household includes The Queen's Household, plus the Households

of other members of the Royal Family who undertake public engagements. The

latter comprise members of their private offices and other people who

assist with their public duties.

ROYAL HOUSEHOLD DEPARTMENTS

Royal Household's functions are divided across five departments, under

the overall authority of the Lord Chamberlain, the senior member of The

Queen's Household. These departments developed over centuries and

originated in the functions of the Royal Court. As a result, the

departments and many job titles have ancient names - the jobs themselves,

however, are thoroughly modern!

Most of the departments are based in Buckingham Palace, although there

are also offices in St. James's Palace, Windsor Castle and the Royal Mews.

Members of the Royal Household also often travel with The Queen on overseas

visits and during The Queen's stays at Balmoral Castle and Sandringham,

since The Queen's work continues even when she is away from London.

In addition to the full-time members of the Royal Household, there are

other part-time members of The Queen's Household. These include the Great

Officers of State who take part in important Royal ceremonies, as well as

Ladies-in-waiting, who are appointed personally by The Queen and female

members of the Royal Family.

RECRUITMENT

People are employed within the Royal Household from a wide range of

sectors and professions, including catering, housekeeping, accountancy,

secretarial and administrative fields, public relations, human resources

management, art curatorship and strategic planning disciplines. The special

nature of the Royal Household means that unique career opportunities are

available.

Employment in the Royal Household offers excellent career opportunities

for those who wish to take a new direction. Positions in the Royal

Household receive good remuneration and benefits. For domestic positions,

there are often enhanced by accommodation. The Royal Household is also

committed to training and development, including NVQ and vocational

training, general management and skills-based training across a range of

disciplines - from carriage driving to an in-house diploma for footmen

which is widely recognised in its specialised field as a valued vocational

qualification.

Jobs at Buckingham Palace and in other Royal residences are usually

advertised in national, regional or specialist media in the usual way.

Details of the latest vacancies are listed in the Recruitment pages of this

section and applications can be made by downloading the standard

application form. All positions are also advertised internally to encourage

career development and to offer opportunities for promotion to existing

employees.

A number of vacancies occur on a regular basis, including positions as

housemaids, footmen and secretaries. In addition, nearly 200 Wardens are

employed each year for Buckingham Palace's Summer Opening programme.

Speculative enquiries are welcome for these posts throughout the year.

Recruitment is in all cases on merit, in terms of qualifications,

experience and aptitude. The Royal Household is committed to Equal

Opportunities.

ANNIVERSARIES

Since 1917, the Sovereign has sent congratulatory messages to those

celebrating their 100th and 105th birthday and every year thereafter, and

to those celebrating their Diamond Wedding (60th), 65th, 70th wedding

anniversaries and every year thereafter. For many people, receiving a

message from The Queen on these anniversaries is a very special moment.

For data privacy reasons, there is no automatic alert from government

records for wedding anniversaries. The Department for Work and Pensions

informs the Anniversaries Office of birthdays for recipients of UK State

pensions. However, to ensure that a message is sent for birthdays and

wedding anniversaries alike, an application needs to be made by a relative

or friend in advance of the special day.

The Queen's congratulatory messages consist of a card containing a

personalised message with a facsimile signature. The card comes in a

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