The British Royal Family continues to be a subject of global fascination, steeped in centuries of history and tradition. From coronations and royal weddings to birth announcements and, inevitably, scandals, their lives in the public eye capture the attention of people worldwide. Recent events, including King Charles III’s cancer diagnosis, the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, and the departure of Prince Harry and Meghan from senior royal duties, have only intensified public interest in the individuals who make up this iconic institution.
This guide offers a detailed look at the most prominent living members of the House of Windsor, providing insights into their roles, responsibilities, and places within the contemporary British monarchy.
King Charles III
King Charles III visiting RAF base in Norfolk, England in July 2018
King Charles III reigns as the current monarch of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms. Born in 1948, he is the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His birth in London marked the beginning of a life destined for royal service.
Charles’s early years were significantly shaped by his mother’s ascension to the throne in 1952. At just four years old, he witnessed Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation at Westminster Abbey in 1953. In 1969, he was formally invested as the Prince of Wales, having studied Welsh at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, demonstrating an early commitment to his future responsibilities and the diverse regions under the Crown.
In 1981, Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer, who became Diana, Princess of Wales. Their union produced two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. However, the marriage faced considerable challenges and ultimately ended in divorce in 1996. The tragic death of Diana in a car accident in Paris the following year deeply affected both Charles and the nation.
In 2005, Prince Charles remarried to Camilla Parker Bowles, who then took the title of Duchess of Cornwall. Their relationship, which had been a subject of public and media scrutiny for years, became officially recognized and accepted.
Biographies published about both Charles and Diana offered differing perspectives on their marriage and relationships. Diana’s biography in 1992 highlighted her struggles within the marriage and her feelings regarding Charles’s relationship with Camilla. Conversely, a biography authorized by Charles in 1994 revealed his perspective, including the pressures he felt regarding marrying Diana and his long-standing connection with Camilla.
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8, 2022, King Charles III acceded to the throne. His coronation, alongside Queen Camilla, took place at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023. Queen Elizabeth II had previously expressed her wish for Camilla to be known as Queen Consort upon Charles’s ascension.
In February 2024, Buckingham Palace announced King Charles III’s cancer diagnosis. While undergoing treatment, he has postponed public-facing duties but continues to undertake State business and official paperwork. The palace has not released specific details about the type or stage of cancer.
Camilla, Queen Consort
Queen Consort Camilla at Cardiff Castle in Wales, September 2022
Camilla, Queen Consort, is the wife of King Charles III and a prominent figure within the British Royal Family. Born Camilla Rosemary Shand in 1947, she spent her childhood in East Sussex and South Kensington.
In 1973, she married Andrew Parker Bowles, a British Army officer. They had two children together before divorcing in 1995.
Camilla’s relationship with Prince Charles became publicly recognized when they married in 2005. Upon marriage, she became the Duchess of Cornwall. Their relationship reportedly began as a close friendship that developed into a romantic partnership over many years.
With Charles’s ascension to the throne in 2022, Camilla became Queen Consort, a title that reflects her role as the wife of the reigning King. This title was granted with the blessing of Queen Elizabeth II, solidifying Camilla’s position within the Royal Family. She was crowned alongside King Charles III in May 2023.
Anne, Princess Royal
Princess Anne arriving at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in May 2018
Anne, Princess Royal, is the second child and only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Born in 1950, she is currently 16th in the line of succession to the throne.
Princess Anne is renowned for her dedication to royal duties and her passion for equestrian sports. She represented Great Britain in the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games as part of the equestrian team.
Queen Elizabeth II bestowed upon her the title of Princess Royal in 1987, a title traditionally given to the eldest daughter of the monarch.
Princess Anne’s first marriage was to Captain Mark Phillips in 1973. They have two children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1992. Later that same year, Princess Anne married Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence.
Prince Andrew, Duke of York
Prince Andrew attending the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey in March 2019
Prince Andrew, Duke of York, is the third child and second son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Born in 1960, he is currently eighth in line to the throne.
Upon his marriage to Sarah Ferguson in 1986, Queen Elizabeth II granted him the title of Duke of York. They have two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson divorced in 1996.
Prince Andrew served in the Royal Navy for 22 years, joining in 1979 and retiring from active service in 2001. However, in recent years, Prince Andrew has stepped back from public royal duties.
Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex (Now Duke of Edinburgh)
Prince Edward looking on during the medal ceremony at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia in April 2018
Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, born in 1964, is the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. He is currently 13th in line to the throne.
He was created Earl of Wessex by Queen Elizabeth II upon his marriage to Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999. They have two children, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex (now Viscount Severn), who are currently 15th and 14th in line to the throne, respectively.
Following the deaths of both Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, and with Charles becoming King, Prince Edward was granted the title Duke of Edinburgh on his 59th birthday in 2023. This title was previously held by his father, Prince Philip. His former title, Earl of Wessex, was then passed to his son, James. Prince Edward and his family reside at Bagshot Park in Berkshire.
William, Prince of Wales
Prince William leaving the "This Can Happen" conference in London, November 2018
Prince William, Prince of Wales, is the heir apparent to the British throne. Born in 1982, he is the elder son of King Charles III and Diana, Princess of Wales.
The death of his mother, Diana, in 1997, when William was just 15, had a profound impact on his life.
After graduating from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, where he met his future wife, William dedicated nearly eight years to full-time military service in the British Armed Forces. He later trained as an air ambulance pilot and served with the East Anglian Air Ambulance from 2015 to 2017.
In 2011, Prince William married Catherine Middleton. Upon their marriage, Queen Elizabeth II conferred upon them the titles of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Following Queen Elizabeth II’s death in 2022 and Charles’s accession to the throne, William and Catherine became known as the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Prince William and Princess Catherine have three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. The family currently resides at Adelaide Cottage on the Windsor Estate, having previously lived at Kensington Palace in London.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
Prince Harry departing from Orestad school in Copenhagen, Denmark, October 2017
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, is the younger son of King Charles III and Diana, Princess of Wales. Born in 1984, he is currently fifth in line to the throne.
Like his elder brother, Prince Harry experienced the loss of his mother, Diana, at a young age; he was 12 when she passed away.
Prince Harry served in the British Armed Forces for ten years, including two deployments to Afghanistan. He concluded his operational service in 2015.
In 2018, Prince Harry married American actress Meghan Markle, and was created Duke of Sussex by Queen Elizabeth II. They have two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
In a significant move, Prince Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior working members of the British Royal Family on March 31, 2021. Initially moving to Canada, they subsequently settled in California. They previously resided at Frogmore Cottage on the Windsor estate.
Prince Harry and Meghan’s decision to step back from royal duties and their subsequent interview with Oprah Winfrey have generated considerable public discussion and media attention.
Catherine, Princess of Wales
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge during a State visit at Buckingham Palace in London, October 2018
Catherine, Princess of Wales, was born Catherine Middleton in 1982, into an upper-middle-class family in Reading. She became a member of the British Royal Family upon her marriage to Prince William in 2011, becoming the Duchess of Cambridge at that time.
Catherine and William met while they were both students at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. Now known as the Prince and Princess of Wales, they have three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
The family currently lives at Adelaide Cottage on the Windsor Estate, having relocated from Kensington Palace. Catherine, Princess of Wales, is known for her fashion influence and her focus on early childhood development in her royal work.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex
Meghan Markle visiting Titanic Belfast during a trip to Northern Ireland in March 2018
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, was born Meghan Markle in Los Angeles, California, in 1981. She joined the British Royal Family upon her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018, becoming the Duchess of Sussex.
Prior to becoming a royal, Meghan graduated from Northwestern University and had a successful acting career, most notably in the television series “Suits.” She also ran a lifestyle blog, “The Tig.”
Following her engagement to Prince Harry, Meghan retired from acting, closed her blog, and deleted her social media presence. She and Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, have two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Meghan was previously married to Trevor Engelson; they divorced in 2013.
As mentioned, Meghan and Harry stepped down as senior working royals in 2021 and moved to California. Their interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021 included allegations of racism and lack of support during their time as working royals, which Buckingham Palace addressed as concerning.
Princess Beatrice of York
Princess Beatrice at Royal Ascot, June 2018, in Ascot, U.K.
Princess Beatrice of York, born in 1988, is the elder daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah, Duchess of York. She is currently ninth in line to the throne.
In 2010, Princess Beatrice became the first member of the British Royal Family to complete the London Marathon.
She graduated from Goldsmiths, University of London, in 2011 and works full-time in business.
Princess Beatrice married Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in 2020. They have a daughter, Sienna Mapelli Mozzi, who is currently tenth in line to the throne.
Princess Eugenie of York
Princess Eugenie arriving at St George's Chapel for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in May 2018
Princess Eugenie of York, born in 1990, is the younger daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah, Duchess of York. She is currently 11th in line to the throne.
Princess Eugenie graduated from Newcastle University in 2012 and works in the art world.
She married Jack Brooksbank in 2018, and they have a son, August Brooksbank, who is currently 12th in line to the throne.
Peter Phillips
Peter Phillips at the Cheltenham Racecourse, March 2019, in Cheltenham, England
Peter Phillips, born in 1977, is the elder child and only son of Anne, Princess Royal, and her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips. He is currently 17th in line to the throne.
Peter is the eldest grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. He does not hold a royal title, as hereditary titles are traditionally passed through male lines, and his father did not possess one. Princess Anne and Captain Phillips reportedly declined the offer of courtesy titles for their children.
Peter graduated from the University of Exeter in 2000 and has pursued a career in sports sponsorship and management.
He married Autumn Kelly in 2008; they have two daughters, Savannah and Isla Phillips, who are currently 18th and 19th in line to the throne respectively. Peter and Autumn Phillips have since divorced.
Zara Tindall
Zara Tindall attending the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse, March 2019, in Cheltenham, England
Zara Tindall, born in 1981, is the younger child and only daughter of Anne, Princess Royal, and Captain Mark Phillips. She is currently 20th in line to the throne.
Like her brother Peter, Zara does not hold a royal title, as her parents declined the offer of courtesy titles.
Zara shares her mother’s passion for equestrianism and has had a successful career in the sport. She competed in the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympic Games, winning a silver medal in London 2012.
In 2011, Zara married rugby union player Mike Tindall. They have three children, Mia, Lena, and Lucas Tindall, who are currently 21st, 22nd, and 23rd in line to the throne respectively.
Prince George of Wales
Prince George attending the wedding of Princess Eugenie of York and Jack Brooksbank in Windsor, England, October 2018
Prince George of Wales, born in 2013, is the eldest child of William, Prince of Wales, and Catherine, Princess of Wales. He is second in line to the throne, after his father.
Prince George lives with his parents and siblings at Adelaide Cottage on the Windsor Estate. As a young prince, he is beginning to take on more public engagements alongside his parents.
Princess Charlotte of Wales
Princess Charlotte attending the wedding of Princess Eugenie of York and Jack Brooksbank in Windsor Castle, October 2018
Princess Charlotte of Wales, born in 2015, is the second child of William, Prince of Wales, and Catherine, Princess of Wales. She is third in line to the throne, after her father and elder brother.
Princess Charlotte, like her brother, lives with her family at Adelaide Cottage. She is known for her confident personality and appearances alongside the Royal Family.
Prince Louis of Wales
Prince Louis being carried by Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, arriving for his christening service in London, July 2018
Prince Louis of Wales, born in 2018, is the youngest child of William, Prince of Wales, and Catherine, Princess of Wales. He is fourth in line to the throne, after his father, brother, and sister.
Prince Louis completes the family at Adelaide Cottage with his parents and siblings. He has captured public attention with his expressive and playful demeanor during royal events.
Prince Archie of Sussex
Prince Harry and Meghan holding baby Archie in Cape Town, September 2019
Prince Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, born in 2019, is the elder child of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. He is currently sixth in line to the throne.
Prince Archie lives with his parents in California. His surname, Mountbatten-Windsor, reflects a combination of Queen Elizabeth II’s surname and Prince Philip’s adopted surname. While he was not initially granted a courtesy title, upon Charles III’s accession, Archie became entitled to be styled as a prince.
Princess Lilibet of Sussex
Princess Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, born in 2021 in Santa Barbara, California, is the younger child of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. She is currently seventh in line to the throne.
Lilibet, nicknamed “Lili,” resides with her parents in California. She is named in honor of Queen Elizabeth II (“Lilibet” being the Queen’s family nickname) and her middle name, Diana, pays tribute to her late grandmother, Diana, Princess of Wales. Like her brother Archie, Lilibet became entitled to the title of Princess upon Charles III becoming King, according to rules established by King George V in 1917.
The Enduring Fascination with British Royal Family Members
The British Royal Family, with its long and complex history, continues to hold a unique place in the global imagination. These individuals, from King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the younger generations, navigate their roles under intense public scrutiny and media attention. Their lives reflect a blend of tradition and modernity, as they adapt the ancient institution of monarchy to the contemporary world. Understanding who these key members are provides valuable insight into the workings of the British monarchy and its ongoing relevance in the 21st century.
