ПРОФИЛЬНЫЕ КЛАССЫ
The British Royal Family
The British royal family is a unique institution - one that inspires respect, admiration and, of course, curiosity throughout the world. People are fascinated partly by the pageantry and spectacle - the brilliance of a royal wedding, the superb precision of Trooping the Colour, the solemnity of a State Opening of Parliament. And we are held in awe by an institution that has survived, through good times and bad, over more than a thousand years of history. Perhaps it is part of the British genius to have recognized in the monarchy a true and lasting symbol of the nation that transcends the fleeting quarrels of parties and persons.
Since Queen Elizabeth II came to the throne in 1952 her reign has seen the British monarchy adapt to major changes in Britain's position in the world and in British society. Most of the dependencies over which she reigned on her accession have become independent members of the Commonwealth, of which she is Head, and many of whose members continue to recognize her as head of State. Modern communications enable the Queen and the royal family to make more overseas visits than ever before. In Britain, television has brought them much closer to the people, and meetings with ordinary men and women at home and abroad have accelerated the trend towards making the British monarchy a less aloof institution, while still evoking the national and Commonwealth unity, and the entire royal family plays a supporting role, undertaking arduous programmes. A combination of the formal and the informal is a special feature of today's monarchy, combining traditional pomp and ceremony with direct contact with people from all walks of life in their towns or at work. Both in Britain and during Commonwealth tours, "walkabouts" - mingling with the crowds - have become a popular feature. Royal jubilees, birthdays and weddings provide opportunities for a practical affirmation of the close and affectionate relationship between the monarchy and the people.
The monarchy is the oldest secular institution in Britain, going back to at least the ninth century. The Queen can trace her descent from King Egbert, who united all England under his sovereignty in 829. The monarchy antedates Parliament by four centuries, and the law courts by three. Its continuity has been broken only once (during the republic under Cromwell from 1649 to 1660).
There have been interruptions in the direct line of succession, but the hereditary principle has always been preserved. In Anglo-Saxon times the "Kings of the English" were elected by the "Witan" from among the males of the royal line, and the elective principle was, in form at least, preserved under the first Norman kings, who submitted themselves to election, or more accurately "recognition", by the "Commune Concilium" (an act of recognition still forms part of the modern coronation service). Thereafter the hereditary system firmly became established.
For centuries the monarch personally exercised supreme executive, legislative and judicial power, but with the growth of Parliament and the courts, the direct
exercise of these functions gradually decreased. The 17th century struggle between Crown and Parliament led, in 1688-1689, to the establishment of a limited constitutional monarchy.
Responsible government in Britain has two main elements: ministers are responsible to Parliament in that they can not govern without the support of an elected majority; and they are responsible for the advice they tender to the Queen, and, therefore, for any action she may take. Political decisions are taken by the ministers, and the Queen is left free to perform the functions of an impartial head of State.
The Royal Family
When the Queen was born on 21 April 1926, her grandfather, King George V, was on the throne and her uncle was his heir. She was the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York, and was christened in the chapel of Buckingham Palace, being given the names Elizabeth Alexandra Mary. The death of her grandfather and the abdication of her uncle (King Edward VIII) brought her father to the throne as King George VI and she became Heiress Presumptive. As a child her studies were extended to include lessons on constitutional history and law, while she also studied art and music. In addition she learned to ride and acquired her enthusiasm for horses. As she grew older she began to take part in public life, making her first broadcast at the age of 14. Early in 1945 she became a subaltern in the Auxiliary Territorial Services (ATS) and by the end of the war had reached the rank of Junior Commander.
The announcement of the engagement of Princess Elizabeth to Lieutenant Mountbatten, the son of Prince Andrew of Greece and one of Queen Victoria's great-great-grandsons (now Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh) whom the Princess had known for many years, was made in 1947. Their wedding took place in Westminster Abbey in November 1947. She came to the throne on 6 February 1952 and was crowned on 2 June 1953. Since then, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, she has undertaken numerous tours throughout the Commonwealth at the invitation of the host governments, besides paying frequent visits to overseas countries outside the Commonwealth at the invitation of foreign heads of state. She has also made many visits throughout the United Kingdom, to fulfill engagements in connection with agriculture, industry, education, the arts, medicine and sport and as a means of keeping in touch with new developments in these fields. In 1977 her Silver Jubilee was celebrated in the United Kingdom and throughout the Commonwealth. Accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh,
the Queen traveled some 55,000 miles to share the anniversary with her people. Enormous crowds greeted them wherever they went, with millions more sharing in the celebrations through radio and television. The Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II was a multinational celebration throughout 2012 marking the 60th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II on 6 February 1952. She is today queen regnant of 16 sovereign states, known as Commonwealth realms, including the United Kingdom. Queen Victoria, Elizabeth's great-great-grandmother, is the only other modern monarch to have celebrated a Diamond Jubilee (in 1897).
The Queen is the owner and breeder of thoroughbred horses, and often goes to race meetings to watch her horses run. She is also a frequent visitor at equestrian events.
The Duke of Edinburgh was born in 1921 and educated at Gordonstoun and the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth. He served at sea throughout the war by the end of which he was a Lieutenant. He ceased holding active naval appointments in 1951. The Duke has played an outstanding part in the nation's life and holds many important Service appointments and acts as patron or president of a large number of national organizations. In particular he interests himself in scientific and technological research and development, in the encouragement of sport, the welfare of young people and in the conservation and state of the environment. The Duke has been closely involved in the development and growth of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and devotes much time to meeting its participants and helpers. It is a programme of challenging leisure-time activities for young people from all over the Commonwealth, and encourages community service, adventure and personal achievement. Since its foundation in 1956 millions of young people have taken part. A keen sportsman, he formerly played polo regularly and has been President of the International Equestrian Federation since 1964.
The Queen's heir is Charles, Prince of Wales, who was born in 1948 and educated at Gordonstoun, at Geelong Grammar School in Australia, at Trinity College, Cambridge, and at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. He graduated with a BA in history from Cambridge in 1970. The Prince served as an officer in the Royal Navy from 1971 to 1976. Since 1977 he has pursued a programme of familiarisation with various aspects of public life in Britain. He is associated, as patron or president, with around 200 organizations and each year undertakes some 400 public engagements. He is, for example, President of the Prince's Trust, which seeks to further the interests of the young and disadvantaged. He has regular meetings with government ministers, political figures, academics, experts and the business community. This enables him to keep abreast with new thinking and new developments in major national and international issues. In 1988 he presented the television documentary A Vision of Britain, about architecture in Britain. In 1990 he wrote and presented a second television programme, The Earth in Balance, part of an initiative to highlight environmental issues. Much of his work, however, goes behind the scenes, in the course of regular meetings with public figures. On 29 July 1981 the Prince of Wales married Lady Diana Spencer at St Paul's Cathedral.
The Princess of Wales gave birth to two sons, Prince William of Wales, on 21 June 1982, and Prince Henry (Harry), on 15 September 1984. In December 1992 it was announced that the Prince and Princess of Wales had agreed to separate. In 1996, the couple divorced, following well-publicised extra-marital affairs. The following year, the Princess of Wales died in a car crash. In 2005, he married Camilla Parker Bowles in a civil ceremony followed by a televised blessing service. Camilla uses the title Duchess of Cornwall.
The Queen's second son, Andrew, Duke of York, was born on 19 February 1960 and christened Andrew Albert Christian Edward. He married Miss Sarah Ferguson in 1986. Their Royal Highnesses have since separated. The Duke of York was educated at Gordonstoun. He joined the Royal Navy in 1979, attending the Britannia Royal Naval College at Dartmouth. He is a serving officer in the Royal Navy, having specialised as a helicopter pi
Для дальнейшего прочтения статьи необходимо приобрести полный текст. Статьи высылаются в формате PDF на указанную при оплате почту. Время доставки составляет менее 10 минут. Стоимость одной статьи — 150 рублей.