Benson with four Vickers Vikings. The following year all were heavily used

during the Royal Tour of South Africa.

After The Queen's accession The King's Flight was renamed The Queen's

Flight. The first helicopter - a Westland Dragonfly - was acquired in

September 1954 and was quickly championed by The Duke of Edinburgh (who

qualified as a helicopter pilot the following year). It was replaced in

1958 by two Westland Whirlwinds. In 1964 Hawker Siddeley Andovers were

introduced for fixed wing flying and saw more than 25 years of service

before being superceded, in the Flight's 50th anniversary year, by the

current British Aerospace 146. In June 1969 the Whirlwinds were replaced by

two Westland Wessex. These served for nearly 30 years, together making more

than 10,000 flights and each flying the equivalent of 20 times around the

world, before being replaced on 1 April 1998 by a single Sikorsky S-76.

In 1995, The Queen's Flight was amalgamated with No. 32 Squadron, which

was renamed No 32 (The Royal) Squadron. At the same time the squadron moved

from RAF Benson to its current location at RAF Northolt.

Nowadays, official flying for members of the Royal family is provided by

BAe 146 and Hawker S125 jet aircraft of No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron, based

at RAF Northolt just north west of London, and the Sikorsky S-76 helicopter

operated by the Royal Household from Blackbushe Aerodrome in Hampshire. In

2000-01, 32 Squadron had two four-engined BAe 146s (each of which carries

19 to 23 passengers) and five twin-engined HS 125s (each of which carries

seven passengers). The Royal Travel Office based at RAF Northolt co-

ordinates use of the different types of aircraft by members of the Royal

family, ensuring that their use is both appropriate and cost-effective.

In 2000-01, the BAe 146 were used for Royal flying over 142 flying hours,

the HS125 for 149 flying hours and the Sikorsky for 459 flying hours. No.

32 (The Royal) Squadron is primarily a Royal Air Force communications

flying squadron. In fact, Royal flying accounts for less than 20% of the

combined tasking of both the BAe 146 and the HS125, which are more commonly

used by senior military officers and Government ministers.

The cost of official royal travel by air is met by the Royal Travel Grant-

in-aid, the annual funding provided by the Department of Transport, Local

Government and the Regions (DTLGR). In 2000-01, the cost of official royal

travel by 32 Squadron was Ј1,793,000.

Aircraft of No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron have a distinctive red, blue and

white livery; the Royal Household S-76 is finished in the red and blue

colours of the Brigade of Guards (as were aircraft in the early days of

Royal flying).

Today, the BAe 146 and HS 125 of No 32 (The Royal) Squadron and the Royal

Household's S-76 are used for official duties by The Queen and, at her

discretion, other members of the Royal family, continuing a tradition begun

with a single aircraft more than 60 years ago.

THE ROYAL FAMILY

MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY

In her role as Head of State The Queen is supported by members of the

Royal Family, who carry out a wide range of public and official duties. The

biographies in this section contain information about various members of

the Royal Family, including early life and education, professional careers,

official Royal work, involvement with charities and other organisations,

personal interests and more

HM THE QUEEN

The Queen was born in London on 21 April 1926, the first child of The

Duke and Duchess of York, subsequently King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.

Five weeks later she was christened Elizabeth Alexandra Mary in the chapel

at Buckingham Palace.

The Princess's early years were spent at 145 Piccadilly, the London

house taken by her parents shortly after her birth; at White Lodge in

Richmond Park; and at the country homes of her grandparents, King George V

and Queen Mary, and the Earl and Countess of Strathmore. When she was six

years old, her parents took over Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park as their

own country home.

HRH THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich,

was born Prince of Greece and Denmark in Corfu on 10 June 1921; the only

son of Prince Andrew of Greece. His paternal family is of Danish descent -

Prince Andrew was the grandson of King Christian IX of Denmark. His mother

was Princess Alice of Battenberg, the eldest child of Prince Louis of

Battenberg and sister of Earl Mountbatten of Burma. Prince Louis became a

naturalised British subject in 1868, joined the Royal Navy and rose to

become an Admiral of the Fleet and First Sea Lord in 1914. During the First

World War he changed the family name to Mountbatten and was created

Marquess of Milford Haven. Prince Philip adopted the family name of

Mountbatten when he became a naturalised British subject and renounced his

Royal title in 1947.

Prince Louis married one of Queen Victoria's granddaughters. Thus, The

Queen and Prince Philip both have Queen Victoria as a great-great-

grandmother. They are also related through his father's side. His paternal

grandfather, King George I of Greece, was Queen Alexandra's brother.

HRH THE PRINCE OF WALES AND FAMILY

The Prince of Wales, eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip,

Duke of Edinburgh, is heir apparent to the throne.

The Prince was born at Buckingham Palace on 14 November 1948, and was

christened Charles Philip Arthur George.

When, on the accession of Queen Elizabeth in 1952, he became heir

apparent, Prince Charles automatically became Duke of Cornwall under a

charter of King Edward III dating back to 1337, which gave that title to

the Sovereign's eldest son. He also became, in the Scottish Peerage, Duke

of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick and Baron Renfrew, Lord of the Isles, and

Prince and Great Steward of Scotland.

The Prince was created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester in 1958. In

1968, The Prince of Wales was installed as a Knight of the Garter. The Duke

of Rothesay (as he is known in Scotland) was appointed a Knight of the

Thistle in 1977. In June 2002 The Prince of Wales was appointed to the

Order of Merit.

HRH THE DUKE OF YORK

The Duke of York was born on 19 February 1960 at Buckingham Palace. He is

the second son and the third child of The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh.

He was the first child to be born to a reigning monarch for 103 years.

Named Andrew Albert Christian Edward he was known as Prince Andrew until

his marriage, when he was created The Duke of York, Earl of Inverness and

Baron Killyleagh.

TRH THE EARL AND COUNTESS OF WESSEX

The Earl of Wessex is the third son and youngest child of The Queen and

The Duke of Edinburgh. He was born on 10 March 1964 and christened Edward

Antony Richard Louis at Buckingham Palace. He was known as Prince Edward

until his marriage, when he was created The Earl of Wessex and Viscount

Severn; at the same time it was announced that His Royal Highness will

eventually succeed to the title of The Duke of Edinburgh.

In March 1989, The Queen appointed Prince Edward a Commander of the Royal

Victorian Order.

HRH PRINCESS ROYAL

The Princess Royal, the second child and only daughter of The Queen and

The Duke of Edinburgh, was born at Clarence House, London, on 15 August

1950, when her mother was Princess Elizabeth, heir presumptive to the

throne. She was baptised Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise at Buckingham Palace

on 21 October 1950.

She received the title Princess Royal from The Queen in June 1987; she

was previously known as Princess Anne. Her Royal Highness is the seventh

holder of the title.

In 1994 The Queen appointed The Princess a Lady of the Most Noble Order

of the Garter. In 2000, to mark her 50th birthday, The Princess Royal was

appointed to the Order of the Thistle, in recognition of her work for

charities.

HRH PRINCESS ALICE

Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester is the widow of the late Duke of

Gloucester, third son of George V.

Lady Alice Christabel Montagu Douglas Scott was born on Christmas Day,

1901 at Montagu House, London. She was the third daughter of the seventh

Duke of Buccleuch, who had been a fellow midshipman of the future king

George V.

Lady Alice was educated at home until the age of 12. She then went to

school at West Malvern, spending a year in Paris before returning home to

be presented at Court in 1920. Lady Alice has greatly enjoyed outdoor

pursuits, including skiing, and has been an accomplished watercolourist.

She also travelled widely, living for many months in Kenya and also

spending time in India on a visit to her brother.

TRH THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF GLOUCESTER

Born in 1944, The Duke of Gloucester is the second son of the late Duke

of Gloucester and Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester. He is a grandson

of George V and a first cousin to The Queen. He succeeded his father as

Duke of Gloucester in June 1974.

In July 1972 Prince Richard (as he was then known) married Birgitte Eva

van Deurs from Odense, Denmark at St Andrew's Church, Barnwell,

Northamptonshire. The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester have three children:

(Alexander) Earl of Ulster, born in 1974; The Lady Davina Windsor, born in

1977; and The Lady Rose Windsor, born in 1980.

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester both carry out a large number of

official engagements each year, individually and together. They undertake

visits in regions throughout the United Kingdom and travel abroad on

official visits and to support their varied patronages.

TRH THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF KENT

Born in 1935, HRH The Duke of Kent is the son of the late Prince George,

fourth son of King George V, and the late Princess Marina, daughter of

Prince Nicholas of Greece. He is cousin to both The Queen and The Duke of

Edinburgh. The present Duke of Kent inherited his title following the death

of his father in 1942.

In 1961 The Duke of Kent became engaged to Miss Katharine Worsley and

they married in York Minster. The couple have three children: George, Earl

of St Andrews, born in June 1962; Lady Helen Taylor, born in April 1964 and

Lord Nicholas Windsor, born on 25 July 1970.

The Duke and The Duchess of Kent undertake a large number of official

Royal engagements. Each has close associations with many charities,

professional bodies and other organisations.

TRH PRINCE AND PRINCESS MICHAEL OF KENT

Prince Michael was born on 4 July 1942 at the family home in Iver,

Buckinghamshire. He was christened Michael George Charles Franklin and one

of his godfathers was President Roosevelt. He is a cousin to both The Queen

and The Duke of Edinburgh, and his older brother and sister are The Duke of

Kent and Princess Alexandra. Prince Michael's father, Prince George, was

the fourth son of George V and his mother, Princess Marina, was the

daughter of Prince Nicholas of Greece.

The Prince is a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.

HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA

Princess Alexandra was born on Christmas Day 1936 at 3, Belgrave Square,

her family's London home. She is the second child and only daughter of the

late Duke and Duchess of Kent (her brothers are the present Duke of Kent

and Prince Michael of Kent). Much of her childhood was spent at their

country home, Coppins, in Buckinghamshire. Her father was killed in a

wartime flying accident in 1942 when she was just five years old.

MEMORIAL PLAQUE

HM QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER

4 August 1900 - 30 March 2002

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother died peacefully in her sleep

on Saturday 30 March 2002, at Royal Lodge, Windsor. Queen Elizabeth was a

much-loved member of the Royal Family. Her life, spanning over a century,

was devoted to the service of her country, the fulfilment of her Royal

duties and the support of her family.

HRH THE PRINCESS MARGARET

21 AUGUST 1930 - 9 FEBRUARY 2002

Her Royal Highness The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon died

peacefully in her sleep on Saturday 9 February, 2002, in The King Edward

VII Hospital, London.

The younger daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth The Queen

Mother, and sister to The Queen, Princess Margaret was a hardworking and

much-loved member of the Royal Family.

Read more about the Princess and her funeral and memorial services in

this section.

DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES

Diana, Princess of Wales died on Sunday, 31 August 1997 following a car

crash in Paris. There was widespread public mourning at the death of this

popular figure, culminating with her funeral at Westminster Abbey on

Saturday, 6 September 1997. Even after her death, however, the Princess's

work lives on in the form of commemorative charities and projects set up to

help those in need.

ART AND RESIDENCES

THE ROYAL COLLECTION

The Royal Collection, one of the finest art collections in the world, is

held in trust by The Queen as Sovereign for her successors and the Nation.

It is on public display at the principal royal residences and is shown in a

programme of special exhibitions and through loans to institutions around

the world.

ABOUT THE ROYAL COLLECTION

Shaped by the personal tastes of kings and queens over more than 500

years, the Royal Collection includes paintings, drawings and watercolours,

furniture, ceramics, clocks, silver, sculpture, jewellery, books,

manuscripts, prints and maps, arms and armour, fans, and textiles. It is

held in trust by The Queen as Sovereign for her successors and the Nation,

and is not owned by her as a private individual. Curatorial and

administrative responsibility for the Collection is held by the Royal

Collection Department, part of the Royal Household.

The Collection has largely been formed since the Restoration of the

Monarchy in 1660. Some items belonging to earlier monarchs, for

example Henry VIII, also survive. The greater part of the magnificent

collection inherited and added to by Charles I was dispersed on

Cromwell's orders during the Interregnum. The royal patrons now chiefly

associated with notable additions to the Collection are Frederick, Prince

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