The Royal Familie

The Royal FamilieIn 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Upon his marriage to Miss Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999, 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.

The Earl and Countess of Wessex both carry out many engagements in support of The Queen, and on behalf of a number of organisations with which they are associated.Their Royal Highnesses have a baby daughter, born on 8 November 2003.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order.

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.

The engagement of Princess Alexandra to Angus Ogilvy, second son of the Earl of Airlie, was announced on 19 November 1962 and they were married on 24 April 1963 in Westminster Abbey. They have two children: James, born in 1964, and Marina, born in 1966; and four grandchildren. Their children carry out no official royal duties.Sir Angus Ogilvy (who was knighted in 1989) was born on 14 September 1928. After leaving Eton he was commissioned into the Scots Guards and subsequently went to Oxford. Later he pursued a varied and successful career in the City of London, and he became chairman and/or director of a number of public companies. His main commitments now are in the charitable field. He is Chairman of the Advisory Council of The Prince’s Trust. He is a Trustee of King George’s Jubilee Trust, The Queen’s Silver Jubilee Trust and Leeds Castle. He is President of the Carr-Gomm Society and The Friends of UK Youth. He is Patron of Arthritis Care, and Vice-Patron of The Friends of The Elderly, Gentle Folks Help and NCH Action for Children. He is also a member of the Royal Company of Archers, which is The Queen’s ceremonial bodyguard in Scotland. His interests include architecture, reading and music. He was made a Privy Counsellor in 1997.

Princess Alexandra is Patron or President of numerous organisations, reflecting her wide-ranging interests. On completing her education, she took a nursing course at Great Ormond Street Hospital before starting to undertake official engagements. Many of her patronages reflect her interest in medical and welfare issues. She is Deputy President of the British Red Cross Society and Patron of the Alzheimer’s Society, St Christopher’s Hospice and Queen Alexandra’s Royal Naval Nursing Service. The Princess is also known for her work for the blind; she is Patron of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and of Action for Blind People, and President of Sight Savers International. She is President of the Alexandra Rose Day, founded in 1912 by King Edward VII’s wife Queen Alexandra to raise money for hospitals through the sale of roses.

The Princess’s military affiliations include Colonel-in-Chief of The King’s Own Royal Border Regiment, The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada and the Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s). She is Deputy Colonel-in-Chief of The Light Infantry and The Queen’s Royal Lancers. The Princess has also acted as a Counsellor of State in The Queen’s absence abroad. She represented The Queen at the Nigerian independence celebrations in 1960. Since then she has made numerous official visits overseas, often accompanied by her husband. In 2001 the Princess paid a visit to Athens following visits to Rome, Oman and Hungary in 1998, Gibraltar in 1999 and the Falkland Islands and Norway in 2000. The Princess enjoys music, swimming, skiing and riding.

His Royal Highness was born in Fairfax, Virginia USA, on January 15, 1982. He is the fraternal twin of Prince Alexander and second in the line to the Throne after Hereditary Prince Peter. He is the son of HRH Crown Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia and HIRH Princess Maria da Gloria of Orleans Braganza. HRH is grandson of the HM King Peter II and HM Queen Alexandra. His Godparents are HM King Constantine of the Hellenes (Greece), HM the Queen of Spain and HRH the Duchess of Calabria.

HRH Prince Philip lived in Virginia until 1984. Together with his twin brother, he first attended kindergarten in London. In 1990 at the age of eight HRH Prince Philip attended one of London’s top preparatory schools. In June 2000, HRH Prince Philip graduated from The King’s School Canterbury in England having obtained three “A” level’s in Spanish, Government and Politics, and Geography. Prince Philip is attending a well-known university in the United Kingdom and reading Slavonic and Hispanic Studies. 2003-2004 HRH will be undertaking an exchange program with a Spanish University.

HRH speaks English, Spanish and French, and is continuing his Serbian studies.

Prince Philip enjoys skate boarding, scuba diving and snowboarding. He is interested in painting, music, computers and science. Before the 5 October 2000 revolution Prince Philip traveled to Serbia in 1991 and Bosnia in 2000. On July 17 2001 Prince Philip and The Royal Family took up residence in The Royal Palace in Belgrade. He has traveled throughout Europe, the United States, and has also visited the Middle East, South East Asia, Central and South America.

In April 1941 after the Nazis attacked and occupied Yugoslavia the country’s young King Peter II left in the wake of the invading German forces for Athens Greece with the Yugoslav government. The King and his countrymen were determined not to surrender to the invaders in the best tradition of the founder of the Dynasty, Karadjordje (“Black George”) Petrovic who led the heroic uprising of the Serbs against the Ottoman Empire in 1804. From Athens King Peter and his government went to Jerusalem and then Cairo. Finally King Peter II established the Yugoslav government in exile in London.

In 1944 in London King Peter II married Princess Alexandra of Greece the daughter of HM King Alexander of the Hellenes and Aspasia Manos. On 17 July 1945 while living in Claridge’s Hotel Queen Alexandra gave birth to a son – HRH Crown Prince Alexander II of Yugoslavia.

Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill declared suite 212 in Claridge’s Hotel Yugoslav territory. His Holiness Patriarch Gavrilo of Serbia baptized the newborn Crown Prince in Westminster Abbey. His godparents were King George VI and the then HRH Princess Elizabeth now HM The Queen Elizabeth II.After the war King Peter II was illegally prevented from returning to Yugoslavia by the communist regime that had seized power in Belgrade. HM King Peter never abdicated. The King and Queen lived in exile in many lands (USA, France, Italy and England).

HRH Crown Prince Alexander II was educated at Le Rosey (Switzerland), Culver Military Academy (Indiana, USA), Gordonstoun School (Scotland) and Millfield (England). He subsequently went to the British Royal Military Academy. In 1966 he was commissioned in the British Army and served in the 16th/5th The Queen’s Royal Lancers rising to the rank of Captain. His tours of duty included the Middle East, Italy and West Germany. Since leaving the army in 1972 Crown Prince Alexander II who speaks several languages pursued a career in business.

After a long illness King Peter II died in 1970 in Denver Colorado USA. Although the Crown Prince decided at the time not to use the title of King – which would have had little meaning in exile – he never renounced his title, or the dynastic right to the throne. In 1972, HRH married HIRH Princess Maria da Gloria of Orleans and Braganza (first cousin of His Majesty King Juan Carlos of Spain) of the Imperial Family of Brazil in Villamanrique de la Condesa Spain. They had three children. The eldest son Prince Peter was born in 1980 in Chicago, Illinois USA; and fraternal twin sons Prince Philip and Prince Alexander were born in 1982 in Fairfax, Virginia (USA). The marriage ended in 1983. In 1985 The Crown Prince married in London Katherine Batis from Athens Greece. HM King Constantine of the Hellenes was the best man.In 1991 Crown Prince Alexander accompanied by HRH Crown Princess Katherine, HRH Hereditary Prince Peter, HRH Prince Philip and HRH Prince Alexander traveled to Serbia and were they were very enthusiastically received by hundreds of thousands of people who see the Crown Prince as the embodiment of all that is best for Serbia’s democracy as a Constitutional Monarchy. Before the 5 October 2000 revolution the Crown Prince also visited Serbia in 1992, 1995 and 2000. The Crown Prince traveled to Montenegro and Kosovo in 1999 and Bosnia and Montenegro in 2000. Crown Prince Alexander, Crown Princess Katherine, Prince Peter, Prince Philip and Prince Alexander have been living in The Royal Palace Belgrade since July 2001.The Crown Prince is a very ardent defender of democracy and human rights. HRH decided in 1989 to take a very active role in helping his people shake off the legacy of decades of dictatorship and the regime of Slobodan Milosevic. HRH conducted meetings and maintained constant contact with the democratic opposition and democrats throughout the former Yugoslavia. In November 1999 HRH convened a large conference in Budapest Hungary for the Democratic Opposition. Another symposium in Bosnia in January 2000 followed the Budapest conference. In April 2000, the Crown Prince convened a large key conference in Athens Greece. The Crown Prince has been a tireless contributor in the process of co-operation and unity amongst the democratic political parties to make his homeland a great democracy for all citizens regardless of political belief, religion or ethnic origin.
The Crown Prince has traveled extensively, met with numerous world leaders, politicians, parliamentarians, and world bodies, and given many interviews to the media.

HRH Crown Prince Alexander II enjoys skiing, sailing, water skiing, scuba diving and under-water photography. He was British Army Ski Champion in 1972. His other interests include music, theatre, information technology, and current affairs.

Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Katherine was born in Athens, Greece on 13 November, 1943. She is the daughter of Robert and Anna Batis.

Princess Katherine was educated in Athens Greece and Lausanne Switzerland. HRH studied business at the University of Denver, Colorado, and the University of Dallas, Texas. Princess Katherine was in business for a few years in the United States.

Her Royal Highness was previously married and has two children David and Alison. Alison has four children: Amanda, Stephanie, Nicolas and Michael and they live in Greece. Princess Katherine has traveled extensively and has lived in Australia, Africa and the United States.Princess Katherine met HRH Crown Prince Alexander in Washington, DC in 1984 and they were married in London on September 21, 1985. Their best man was HM King Constantine of the Hellenes (Greece), and the witness was HRH Prince Tomislav of Yugoslavia the uncle of Crown Prince Alexander.

Princess Katherine’s charitable activities have been numerous and especially since the conflict in the former Yugoslavia. Her Royal Highness has brought much relief to especially children, the elderly and all those in need regardless of religion or ethnic origin. Princess Katherine is the Patron of various humanitarian organizations including Lifеline Humanitarian Organization, SOS Appeal for Life and United Orthodox Aid. At the beginning of August 2001 The Foundation of Her Royal Highnesses Crown Princess Katherine was established in Belgrade whose task it is to continue and increase humanitarian activities.

In 1991 Crown Prince Alexander accompanied by HRH Crown Princess Katherine, HRH Hereditary Prince Peter, HRH Prince Philip and HRH Prince Alexander traveled to Serbia and were very enthusiastically greeted by hundreds of thousands who see the Karadjordjevic Dynasty as the embodiment of all that is best for a democratic future as a Constitutional Monarchy.

Before the October 5 2000 Revolution the Crown Princess also traveled to Serbia in 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 and 2000. HRH The Crown Princess also traveled to Montenegro and Kosovo in 1999, and Bosnia in 2000. On 17 July, 2001 HRH Crown Prince Alexander, HRH Crown Princess Katherine, HRH Hereditary Prince Peter, HRH Prince Philip and HRH Prince Alexander took up residence in The Royal Palace in Belgrade.

Her Royal Highness speaks Greek, English, French and some Spanish, and she is also studying Serbian. Princess Katarina Katherine enjoys music, reading, and all the activities that regard children, cooking, the theatre and cross-country skiing.

His Royal Highness was born in Fairfax Virginia USA on January 15, 1982. He is the fraternal twin of Prince Philip and he is third in the line to the Throne after his elder brother Hereditary Prince Peter and Prince Philip. He is the son of HRH Crown Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia and HIRH Princess Maria da Gloria of Orleans Braganza. Prince Alexander is the grandson of the HM King Peter II and HM Queen Alexandra. His Godparents are HM the Queen of Spain, HM King Constantine of the Hellenes (Greece), and HRH the Duchess of Calabria. Prince Alexander lived in Virginia until 1984. Together with his twin brother, he first attended kindergarten in London. In 1990 at the age of eight, HRH Prince Alexander attended one of London’s top preparatory schools. In June 2000, Prince Alexander graduated from King’s School Canterbury in England having obtained three “A” level’s in Spanish, French, Government and Politics. Prince Alexander was at the University of San Francisco (USF) and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Media in May 2004. Prince Alexander is currently obtaining job experience. HRH speaks English, Spanish and French and is continuing his Serbian studies. Prince Alexander enjoys surfing, snowboarding, skate boarding and scuba diving. He is interested in current affairs, computers and science. Before the October 5 2000 revolution, Prince Alexander traveled to Serbia in 1991 and Bosnia in 2000. On July 17 2001 Prince Alexander and The Royal Family took up residence in The Royal Palace in Belgrade. He has traveled throughout Europe, the United States, and has visited the Middle East, South East Asia, Central and South America.

His Royal Highness, The Hereditary Prince Peter was born in Chicago, Illinois USA on February 5, 1980. He is the eldest son of HRH Crown Prince Alexander and HIRH Princess Maria da Gloria of Orleans and Braganza. Prince Peter is the grandson of HM King Peter II. His Godfather is HRH Prince Aleksandar of Yugoslavia son of HRH Prince Regent Paul of Yugoslavia.

HRH Prince Peter lived in Chicago until the end of 1981, when he moved with his parents to Virginia. In 1983 he first attended morning pre-school in Tyson’s Corner, Virginia, and in 1984 he went to day school. In 1988 at the age of eight HRH was a student at one of London’s top preparatory day schools. In June 1998 HRH graduated from The King’s School Canterbury in England having obtained three “A” level’s in Art, Spanish and French. In spring 1999 HRH The Hereditary Prince completed an art foundation course at Camberwell College of Arts (London Institute) in London. In May 2000 Prince Peter completed a series art programmes on the European continent mainly in Barcelona and Seville Spain. Prince Peter spent a year 1999-2000 at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) an Ivy League College on the East Coast of the United States. He is currently in London getting job experience in the field of graphic design and computer technologies.

HRH The Hereditary Prince speaks English, Spanish and French, and continues with his Serbian studies.

Prince Peter enjoys snowboarding, drawing and painting. He is interested in the arts, music and graphic design. Before the 5 October 2000 revolution Prince Peter traveled to Serbia in 1991 and in July 2000. On July 17 2001 Prince Peter and The Royal Family took up residence in The Royal Palace in Belgrade. He has traveled throughout Europe, the United States, and has also visited the Middle East, South East Asia, Central and South America.