Monarchy of the United Kingdom

constitutional monarchy of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

The Monarch of the United Kingdom is the head of state of United Kingdom and formal head of Church of England. The current monarch is Charles III who has reigned since 2022. The king is currently the head of the UK and 15 other nations known as the Commonwealth realms.

Charles III, Monarch since 2022.

List of Monarchs of the United Kingdom

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House of Stuart

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  • Anne (In England and Scotland, 17021707. In Great Britain, 17071714) First British Monarch.

House of Hanover

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House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha

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The royal household changed its name to Saxe-Coburg-Gotha after Queen Victoria married Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, but Victoria stayed part of the House of Hanover. With monarchs it started in 1901. The name was changed in 1917 by George V.

House of Windsor

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In 1917 King George V changed the royal house's name to Windsor because the United Kingdom was at war with Germany and Saxe-Coburg-Gotha is a German name.

In 1922 Ireland was split into the future Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland stayed part of the United Kingdom. However, the name was not changed until 5 years later and George V continued to be King of Ireland until he died ("of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India").