Q: David - Cromwell, Connecticut USA
I would like to know who has reigned longer than HM The Queen and how long they reigned for?
The Queen is the fifth longest reigning monarch in British history.
The longest reigning monarch is Queen Victoria (63 years and 6 months between 1837 and 1901), followed by King George III (59 years and 3 months between 1760 and 1820); King James VI and I (57 years and 8 months, out of which he ruled Scotland and England together for 22 years between 1567 and 1625); and King Henry III (56 years and 1 month between 1216 and 1272).
The Queen has currently been on the throne for 52 years and two months.
Around 6 March 2008, The Queen will become the fourth longest reigning monarch. She would need to reign until September 2015 to overtake Queen Victoria.
Q: Kassie Courson - Macomb Illinois, USA
How many garden parties is the Queen planning on hosting this summer and will they all be held at Buckingham Palace?
There are normally three garden parties held at Buckingham Palace each summer and one held at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. The garden parties this year will be held at Buckingham Palace on 6, 13 and 20 July 2004. The garden party at Holyroodhouse will be held on 30 June 2004.
Q: William Kernan - California, USA
My first question was in regard to the four people who walk in front of the Queen during the State Opening of Parliament: who they are and why two of them walk backwards, while the other two do not. My second question was regarding Princess Anne's involvement in the State Opening of Parliament: I saw a picture of her holding a rod, and it called her, in the caption, "the Gold Rod in Waiting;" I wanted to know what this meant.
The four people who walk in front of The Queen at the State Opening of Parliament are the Duke of Norfolk (the Earl Marshal), the Lord Great Chamberlain (the Marquess of Cholmondely), and those who carry the Sword of State and the Cap of Maintenance respectively (the personnel changes from year to year).
The Earl Marshal and the Lord Great Chamberlain walk backwards as traditionally it was wrong to turn your back on the Sovereign.
The Princess Royal is actually a 'Gold Stick'. There are two Gold Sticks, one of whom is always Gold Stick in Waiting. This alternates each month. The title 'Gold Stick' is held by the two Colonels of the Household Cavalry and signifies the fact that they are in charge of the mounted troops on parade.
The Princess Royal is Colonel of the Blues and Royals. Lord Guthrie is Colonel of the Life Guards.
Traditionally the Gold Stick in Waiting was in attendance on the Sovereign at all occasions.
At the State Opening of Parliament, the Gold Stick in Waiting alternates between The Princess Royal and the Lord Guthrie.
Q: Clinton Basford - Woking, Surrey
Please could you elaborate on Her Majesty's schedule for 19th May. I come from the Isle of Wight, but now live in Woking and return to visit family frequently. Nevertheless, I would like to be there when The Queen Visits. It has been some years since she last came to our Island.
Detailed programmes for visits by The Queen and other members of the Royal Family are usually only available from about two weeks before the date of the actual visit. As soon as they are released to the public they will appear in the Royal Diary.
The information in question should be published in early May.
Q: Margaret Hughes-Lindstrom - Finchley
Does The Queen have a driver's licence in her possession? If so, is it legally necessary for her to possess one since she is indeed Head of State of the UK?
The Queen is not legally required to carry a driving license as she is not implicated in the Road Traffic Act or Motor Vehicle Driving Regulations. The Queen learnt to drive at the age of 19 while serving with the Auxiliary Territorial Service during the war.
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