Q: Therese Herrmann - Berlin
What will change for Prince William when he is 21? Any new rights or duties?
On coming of age on 21 June 2003, Prince William became a Counsellor of State. If The Queen is absent abroad for more than a few days (or suffering from temporary illness), she may appoint Counsellors of State. She may delegate certain functions of the monarch in Britain, the dependencies, and other territories to them. For example, any two Counsellors of State may attend Privy Council meetings, sign routine documents or receive the Credentials of new Ambassadors to the UK. At present, Counsellors of State are The Duke of Edinburgh and the four adults next in succession (provided they have reached the age of 21), that is, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of York, The Earl of Wessex and Prince William.
With all other regards, Prince William will continue with his full-time studies at the University of St. Andrews as normal.
Q: Richard Griffiths - London
At the service to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Coronation what were the words to the second verse of the National Anthem that were used? Were they specially written for the occasion?
The words of the second verse used at the service marking the 50th anniversary of The Queen's Coronation are as follows:
Not on this land alone
But be God's mercies known
From shore to shore
Lord, make the nation see
That we in unity
Should form one family
The wide world o'er.
There are many verses in the National Anthem, many unfamiliar to most since only one or two verses are usually sung. The above verse is the form which is always used at Westminster Abbey as the second verse of the National Anthem, a tradition going back some years through the preference of successive deans.
The words more usually sung as the second verse are:
Thy choicest gifts in store
On her be pleased to pour,
Long may she reign.
May she defend our laws,
And ever give us cause,
To sing with heart and voice,
God save the Queen.
Q: Michael - New York, USA
Where can one find a copy of the Honours List? In the States we only hear of one or two notables but never the entire list.
Honours granted in the twice-yearly Honours Lists are listed in full on the web sites of Number 10 Downing Street and the Cabinet Office. They are not published on the British Monarchy web site as the honours are announced by the Government, though they are conferred in the name of The Queen, as 'fountain of honour', and Her Majesty presents the decorations at Investitures.
Q: David - Cheltenham, England
For many years my mother has expressed a desire to attend a Trooping the Colour ceremony but her disability would prevent her walking to the event and from standing to watch. Is any provision made for disabled viewing and if so, how would I apply for her to attend, perhaps as a birthday surprise?
Tickets for Trooping the Colour are allocated each year in a ballot organised by HQ Household Division. A special ballot is held for disabled spectators to attend either the Major General's Review (the first rehearsal) or the Trooping the Colour ceremony itself. The number of places is limited to around 25 people in wheelchairs with helpers.
Applications for the wheelchair ballot must be received by HQ Household Division, in the January or February before the June ceremony. You should write to:
The Brigade Major
Headquarters Household Division
House Guards
Whitehall
London SW1A 2AX.
Q: Paul Ellis - Brandon, Mississippi, United States
Please can you explain how Her Majesty The Queen is related to Their Majesties King Constantine II and Queen Anne-Marie of the Hellenes, and to Their Most Catholics Majesties King Juan Carlos and Queen Sophie of Spain?
Also, Greece is now a republic since 1974. I remember that Their Majesties King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie of the Hellenes were present among the other crowned heads that came to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother's funeral. Since Britain recognizes the Republic of Greece, did the King and Queen come in official status or in a private status since the late Queen Mother was a family member?
Constantine II of the Hellenes is the son of King Paul I of Greece and Princess Frederika of Hanover. Both parents were descended from Queen Victoria. King Paul, who reigned from 1947 to 1964, was descended from Queen Victoria via his mother, Princess Sophie of Prussia, who was the third daughter of Victoria, eldest daughter of Queen Victoria. Queen Frederika was a granddaughter of Emperor Wilhelm II and a great-great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria.
King Juan Carlos of Spain is the great-great-grandchild of Queen Victoria. Victoria's youngest daughter, Beatrice, had a daughter named Victoria Eugenia, who married Alfonso XIII, King of Spain, the grandfather of King Juan Carlos. The Queen is also a great-great-grandchild of Queen Victoria.
King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie of the Hellenes were indeed present at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. They attended in a private capacity.
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