A look at Queen Elizabeth II's family tree.
"1936::The Family Tree of the House of Saxe-Coburg"
Clip: Manchester Guardian (1936)
Manchester, England
The chart above presents the illustrious family tree of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, tracing back to the late Queen Elizabeth II's Great-Great-Great-Great Grandfather, Germany's Prince Francis Frederick Antony of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. The Saxe-Coburg name came to the British Royal Family in 1840 when the German Prince's grandson, Prince Albert, married his first cousin, Queen Victoria of Great Britain. Saxe-Coburg-Gotha became the name of the British Royal Family, and it remained so for almost 80 years until 1917 when King George V changed it to Windsor, concerned that the distinctly German name would worry his British subjects while WW1 raged on. This chart, prepared after George died in 1936, marks his son's ascension to the British throne as King Edward VIII. Edward's reign was brief, as his love for an unsuitable Queen Consort led to his abdication and the passing of the throne to his brother Albert. Albert reigned as King George VI until he died in 1952, passing the throne to his oldest daughter, Elizabeth. King Edward VIII reigned for only 326 days and was never coronated.
"1837::Queen Victoria of Great Britain"
Photo: (tbd)
Many of British Columbia's towns, cities, and geographical locations were named after members of the Saxe-Coburg-Gotha family line, reflecting their influence on the region's history and geography. On Vancouver Island, for example, the city of Victoria was named to honour Queen Victoria, who ascended to the British throne on June 20, 1837, shortly after her 18th birthday and less than two years before development began on Fort Victoria at the south end of Vancouver Island. She died at 81 on January 22, 1901, and was known as Britain's longest-reigning Monarch, having reigned for 64 years.
"1952::Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain"
Photo Clip: Victoria Daily Times (1959)
Victoria British Columbia
In 2016, Queen Elizabeth II surpassed her Great-Great-Grandmother's record as the longest-reigning British Monarch. She died in 2022 at the age of 96, having reigned for over 70 years, a feat that also earned her the title of longest-reigning Monarch in world history. Her long reign was marked by significant changes in the world, including a commitment to reconciliation and healing relationships with Indigenous peoples throughout the British Commonwealth. This dedication was exemplified in British Columbia when many Saxe-Coburg-Gotha names were restored to their original Indigenous names as a symbol of respect and recognition.