Q: Benjamin Charles Petter - London, UK
Who is the youngest ever monarch to come to the thrones of England and Scotland?
The youngest king of England was Henry VI (1422 - 1461, 1470 - 1471). He came to the throne before his first birthday, at just under 9 months old. He became King of France only a month later. The youngest queen of England was Queen Victoria, who acceded the throne having just turned 18.
Scotland's youngest queen was Mary, Queen of Scots, who came to the throne at the age of just seven days old. Her son, James VI of Scotland (James I of England and Scotland) was Scotland's youngest king. He came to the throne at the age of 1 year and 1 month.
Q: Torkel Kvaal - Oslo, Norway
When did the Queen last visit the Orkney Islands, the Shetland Islands, and the Isle of Man?
The Queen and members of the Royal Family may have privately visited Orkney and Shetland as part of the tours that they used to do in the Royal Yacht Britannia every summer prior to its decommissioning in 1997. However, officially, The Queen last visited the Isle of Man in August 1989, the Shetland Islands in May 1981 and Orkney in August 1987.
Q: Michael Norbury - Edinburgh, Scotland
I wonder if you can settle a small argument between me and some friends. Did The Queen ever have the title Duchess of Edinburgh when she was Princess Elizabeth and, if so, does Her Majesty still hold it?
In 1947, King George VI bestowed titles upon his daughter and future son-in-law to mark their wedding. They both became members of the Order of the Garter. Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten, RN, as he had been known in the marriage announcement, became a Royal Highness, and, in ascending order, Baron Greenwich, Earl of Merioneth and Duke of Edinburgh. His future wife would be known as Her Royal Highness The Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh. The couple were often referred to as the Edinburghs up to the death of King George VI in February 1952.
The Queen still holds the title, but it is no longer used.
Q: Eric Millard - Colorado, USA
In a photograph dated 21 November 2002, HRH The Prince of Wales knighted Sir Bobby Robson. In that photograph His Royal Highness is wearing the rank insignia of a Vice Admiral (two stripes above a large stripe) in the Royal Navy. However, all official information to date suggests that HRH only holds the rank of Rear Admiral (one stripe above a large stripe). Has there been a change in his status and rank? If so, when did it occur?
The Prince of Wales was promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral with effect from 14 November 2002. That date is actually the birthday of The Prince of Wales; he was 54 this year.
Q: Kerry Beeden - Welling, Kent, UK
Where does The Queen spend Christmas?
The Queen and her family have spent Christmas at Sandringham in recent times. There was a period of 24 years when The Royal Family spent Christmas at Windsor, while in Christmas 1953, The Queen was in New Zealand. The Queen and members of the Royal Family were at Sandringham most recently for Christmas 2002 and the New Year period.
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