Monarchy of the United Kingdom

The Monarchy of the United Kingdom is the head of state of United Kingdom. The current monarch is Elizabeth II who has reigned since 1952. The queen is currently the head of the U.K and 15 other nations known as the commonwealth realms.

Elizabeth II since 1952.

Monarchs of Great Britain and Ireland

House of Hanover

• George I (1714 - 1727)
• George II (1727 - 1760)
• George III (1760 - 1801)

Monarchs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

House of Hanover

• George III (1801 - 1820)
• George IV (1820 - 1830) (Regent 1811-1820)
• William IV (1830 - 1837)
• Victoria (1837 - 1901)

House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha

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.

• Edward VII (1901 - 1910)

House of Windsor

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.

• George V (1910 - 1922, changed name of house in 1917)

Monarchs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

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").

House of Windsor

• George V (1922-1936)
• Edward VIII (1936), abdicated
• George VI (1936 - 1952)
• Elizabeth II (1952 - present)