The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland consists of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. All these parts of the country are represented in Parliament in London. England is noted for its «high-tech» and car industries. Scotland is a land of mountains, lakes and romantic castles. Wales is famous for its high mountains and pretty valleys, factories and coal mines, music and myths. Northern Island, with farming land, is beautiful too.
The UK lies on the British Isles. The English Channel and the Strait of Dover separate Britain from the continent. The climate on the British Isles is temperate. The Gulf Stream makes the climate warmer in winter and cooler in summer. There is much humidity in the air of England. Britain is known as a foggy country. Geographically Great Britain is divided into Lowlands, Midlands, and Highlands.
The history of the UK dates back to the ancient times. From the sixth to the third centuries BC, the British Isles were invaded by Celtic tribes. They came from central Europe, and settled in southern England. The Celts were pagans. Their priests, known as Druids, had all education in their hands. They administered justice, and made a disobedient layman an outlaw.
In AD 43, the Romans invaded southern Britain. It became a Roman colony called Britannia. The Romans set up their capital in London and built such cities as Bath, Chester and York. The Roman invasion was not peaceful. In AD 60, the Iceni, a tribe led by Queen Boadicea, destroyed three cities, including London. In AD 122, Emperor Hadrian built a long wall to defend the border between England and Scotland. In the fourth century the Roman Empire was collapsing and the Roman legions left Britain.
From about AD 350 the Saxons, Jutes and Angles began invading south-east England. The native people could not stop the new enemy. The Celts fled north and west taking their ancient arts and languages with them. Celtic languages have disappeared from most of Europe, but are still spoken in parts of Wales, Ireland and Scotland. The Anglo-Saxons were converted to Christianity by Saint Augustine of Rome in AD 597. As Christianity spread, churches and monasteries were built in England.
About AD 790, the Vikings started to invade England. The north and east of England were settled by the Danes. The Vikings were excellent traders and navigators. They traded in silk and furs as far as Russia. In 1016, England became part of the Scandinavian empire under king Cnut. In 1066 England was conquered by the Normans. William Duke of Normandy, known as William the Conqueror, won the battle of Hastings and became King of England. William I established a strong, centralised country under military rule. The Normans built castles all over England to control England better. Norman power was absolute, and the language of the new rulers, Norman French, had a lasting effect on English. Since 1066, England has never been invaded.
For many centuries this country was known simply as England. It had a strong army and navy. It waged numerous colonial wars.
Great Britain is a constitutional monarchy. The Queen is the head of State, but her power is limited by Parliament. The branches of government are: the legislative, the executive and the judiciary. The legislature is the supreme authority. It comprises two chambers — the House of Lords and the House of Commons — together with the Queen in her constitutional role. The executive consists of the central Government — that is the Prime Minister, Cabinet, and other ministers. The judiciary determines common law and interprets statutes and is independent of both the legislature and the executive.
The Government derives its authority from the elected House of Commons. The Government is formed by the political party in power. The second largest party becomes Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition with its own leader and 'Shadow Cabinet'. In Great Britain there is no written constitution, only customs, traditions and precedents.
London is the capital of the UK. It was founded by the Romans in the 1st century AD. In the 11-th century it became the capital of England. In 1215 its citizens won the right to elect their Lord Mayor. The town experienced tremendous growth in trade and population during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. After the Great Fire of 1666 which destroyed three-quarters of London, the town began its extensive building. London became the main centre not only of the country but of the growing British Empire. During the 19-th century London expanded into the suburbs. As a result of it new forms of transport were developed, including the underground railway system. During World War II London was heavily bombed. The reconstruction that followed was of mixed quality. Replacement of industrial enterprises and docks made London a centre of international trade, finance and tourism.
Today Greater London consists of 33 separate boroughs, including the City, the West End, and the East End. The City is the financial centre of the UK. The Bank of England, the Royal Exchange, and the Stock Exchange are located here.
The West End is noted for its historical places and parks. These are Westminster Abbey and Westminster Cathedral, Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, the principal government offices, New Scotland Yard, the Tate Gallery, and the National Gallery. The most celebrated parks are Kensington Gardens with the Victorian Gothic Albert Memorial; Hyde Park, with its famous Speakers' Corner; and Regent's Park, home of the Zoological Gardens and Regent's Canal. The West End is the area of wealth and goods of high quality.
London's East End is historically associated with the Cockney dialect. It was an infamous slum during the 19th century. The port of London until recently was in the East End. The area of docks played an important part in the country's commerce.
London's major cultural institutions also include the British Museum, which houses collections of antiquities, prints, and manuscripts and the national library; the Victoria and Albert Museum of decorative arts; and the music and arts complex located on the South Bank of the Thames.
Westminster is now the political centre of London, but originally it was a sacred place. King Edward the Confessor built a great abbey church here. It was consecrated in 1065. In 1245 Henry III replaced it with the present abbey church in the pointed Gothic style of the period. Since William the Conqueror, every British sovereign has been crowned in the abbey. Many kings and queens are buried here. There are memorials to eminent men and women. But the most popular ones are those to writers, actors and musicians in Poets' Corner. The grave of the «Unknown Warrior», whose remains were brought from Flanders in 1920, is in the centre of the west nave.
Alongside the Abbey Edward the Confessor ordered to construct a palace. The Palace of Westminster was the royal residence and also the country's main court of law. Parliament met here since the 16-th century until the 19-th century. The present Houses of Parliament, the seat of the legislative body of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, were built after the old palace burnt down in 1834. On the corner next to Westminster Bridge stands St. Stephen's Tower, which houses the famous tower clock. A light at the top of the tower at night indicates that parliament is sitting.
Saint Paul's Cathedral was designed in a classical Baroque style by Sir Christopher Wren. It was constructed between 1675 and 1710. Many famous persons are buried in the Cathedral.
Trafalgar Square was named for Lord Nelson's naval victory in the Battle of Trafalgar. In the centre of the square is Nelson's Column that includes his high statue. At the corners of the column are four sculptured lions. Trafalgar Square is the site of the National Gallery. Traditionally political meetings are held here. Each December a large Christmas tree sent from Norway is erected in Trafalgar Square.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has always played an important role in world politics.
— What is the name of the Queen of Great Britain?
— The name of the British Queen is Elizabeth II. She ascended the British throne in 1953.
— What parties are there in Great Britain?
— In Great Britain there are two major political parties — the Conservative party and the Labour party. The Labour party is in power now in Great Britain. Anthony Charles Lynton Blair who is usually called simply Tony Blair is the Prime Minister. He became Prime Minister as a result of the May 1, 1997 elections.
— Can you name the capitals of the parts of Great Britain?
— London is the capital of England. The centre of government of Scotland is Edinburgh. It is large and busy. The principal city of Wales is Cardiff. It has plenty of industry. Belfast is the seat of government of Northern Ireland. It is a large industrial city with many fine buildings and a big port.
— What do you know about Big Ben?
— Big Ben is a tower clock. It is famous for its accuracy and for its 13-ton bell, designed by Edmund Beckett, Baron Grimthorpe. Big Ben is housed in the tower at the eastern end of the Houses of Parliament. The clock was named after Sir Benjamin Hall, commissioner of works at the time of its installation in 1859. Originally applied only to the bell, eventually it came to indicate the clock itself.
— What is the Tower of London notable for?
— Many important events in the history of Great Britain are connected with the Tower of London. It has served as citadel, palace, prison, mint, and menagerie. Now it is a museum. In 1078 William the Conqueror built the White Tower to defend the city. The Tower is famous for its illustrious prisoners. Many great people lost their heads on the executioner's block. The Yeoman Warders known as 'Beefeaters' guard the Tower. They wear traditional Tudor costumes.
— What are the principal rivers in England?
— The Thames and Severn are the principal rivers in England. The Severn is the longest river. The Thames is the most important one. It should be said that a hundred years ago, the Thames was crowded with ships, leaving for Java, New Zealand and New York, but now people travel by air, and Heathrow, London's main airport, is one of the busiest in the world.
— What are the main rivers in other parts of the UK?
— The Clyde, Spey, and Tweed are the main rivers in Scotland. The major rivers in Northern Ireland are the Barm, Erne, and Foyle. The Dee, Tywi, and Teifi are the main rivers in Wales.
— What is the highest mountain in the United Kingdom?
— Ben Nevis is the highest point in the United Kingdom. It is located in the Northern Highlands in Scotland.
— Is the United Kingdom rich in mineral resources?
— The United Kingdom has very few mineral resources. The ancient tin mines of Cornwall and the iron-ore deposits of north-central England, which helped to build the Industrial Revolution, were exhausted or uneconomical to work by the late 20th century. Since the early 1950s the output of coal steadily declined. Recently deposits of oil and natural-gas have been found in the British sector of the North Sea.
— What ethnic groups constitute the population of Great Britain?
— The English, Scots, Irish, and Welsh constitute the population of Great Britain. Since the early 1950s Commonwealth immigrants, particularly from India, the West Indies, Pakistan, and Bangladesh have increased the population of the country.
— What do you know about the educational system in Britain?
— In Great Britain education is compulsory and free, in state-supported schools, between the ages of 5 and 16. General education may lead to technical or commercial study or to higher education. Internationally prominent universities include those of Oxford, which was founded in the 12-th century, and Cambridge, which was founded in the 13-th century. Today the educational system is primarily administered by elected local education officials.
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The United Kingdom of Great Britain. The United Kingdom of Great Britain andNorthern Ireland is situated on two large islands called the British Isles. Thelarger island is Great Britain, which consists of three parts England,Scotland and Wales. The smaller island is Ireland and there are about fivethousand small islands. The country s shores are washed by theAtlantic Ocean, the
North Sea and the Irish Sea. The English channel separateGreat Britain from the continent. The total area of the U.K. is 244.00 squarekilometers with a population of 56 million. It is one of the most populatedcountries in the world. The average density of population is very high about220 people per square kilometer.
The greater part of the population is urban.About 80 percent of people live in numerous towns and cities. More then sevenmillion people live in London area. Very often the inhabitants of The UnitedKingdom and Northern Ireland are called English. The surface of the British Isles varies verymach. There are many mountains in
Scotland, Wales and northwest of England butthey are not very high. Ben Nevis in Scotland is the highest mountain. Thenorthern part of Scotland is mountainous and is called the Highlands. Scotlandis also famous for its beautiful lakes, which are called Lochs. The mountains in G.B. are not very high.There are many rivers in
G.B but they are not very long. The Themes is thedeepest, the longest and the most important river in England. The climate of G.B. is mild. It is not verycold in winter and hot in summer. The average temperature in January is about5C above zero. February is the coldest month in the year. The summers are cooland rainy. July is the warmest month. There is much rain and flog in autumn andwinter.
October is the rainiest month in the year. The BritishParliament.The British Parliament is the oldest in the world.It originatedin the 12th century as Witenagemot, the body of wise cancellerswhom the King needed to consult pursuing his policy.The BritishParliament consists of the House of Lords and the House ofCommons and the Queen as its head. The House ofCommons plays themajor role in law-making.
It consists of Members of Parliament called MPs for short . Each of them represents an area inEngland, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. MPs are electedeither at ageneral election or at a by-election following the death orretirement. Parliamentary elections are held every 5years and itis the Prime Minister who decides on the exact day of theelection.
The minimum voting age is 18. And thevoting is takenby secret ballot. The election campaign lasts about 3weeks, TheBritish parliamentary system depends on political parties. Theparty which wins the majority of seats forms the government andits leader usually becomes Prime Minister. The Prime Ministerchooses about 20 MPs from his party to become the cabinet ofministers.
Each minister is responsible for aparticular area inthe government. The second largest party becomes the officialopposition with its own leader and shadowcabinet . The leaderof the opposition is a recognized post in theHouse of Commons.The parliament and the monarch have different roles in thegovernment and they only meet together on symbolicoccasions, suchas coronation of a new monarch or the opening ofthe parliament.
In reality, the House of Commons is the one of three which hastrue power. The House of Commons is made up of six hundred andfifty elected members, it is presided over by the speaker, amember acceptable to the whole house. MPs sit on twosides of thehall, one side for the governing party and the other for theopposition. The first 2 rows of seats are occupied bythe leadingmembers of both parties called frontbenches The back benchesbelong to the rank-and-life
MPs. Each session of the House ofCommons lasts for 160-175 days. Parliament has intervals duringhis work. MPs are paid for their parliamentary workand have toattend the sittings. As mention above, the House ofCommons playsthe major role in law making. The procedure isthe following aproposed law a bill has to go throughthree stages in orderto become an act of parliament, these are called readings . Thefirst reading is a formality and is simply thepublication
of theproposal. The second reading involves debate on theprinciples ofthe bill, it is examination by parliamentary committee. And thethird reading is a report stage, when the work of thecommittee isreported on to the house. This is usually the most importantstage in the process. When the bill passes throughthe House ofCommons, it is sent to the House of Lords for discussion, whenthe Lords agree it, the bill is taken to the
Queen for royalassent, when the Queen sings the bill, it becomes act of theParliament and the Law of the Land. The House ofLords has morethan 1000 members, although only about 250 take an activepart inthe work in the house. Members of this Upper House are notelected, they sit there because of their rank, the chairman ofthe House of Lords is the Lord Chancellor. And he sits on aspecial seat, called WoolSack
The membersof the House of Lordsdebate the bill after it has been passed by the Houseof Commons.Some changes may be recommended and the agreementbetween the twohouses is reached by negotiations. МОСКОВСКИЙИНСТИТУТПРАВА Курсовая работа по АНГЛИЙСКОМУ ЯЗЫКУ На тему GREAT BRITAIN Студентка дн.отд. группы АЮ-132СА Цыганкова Е.С. Преподаватель Чечулина Н.Н.
МОСКВА 2003 CONTENTS 1.TheUnited Kingdom of Great Britain 12.The British Parliament 23.Thebooks 5 The books 1. HEADWAY Pre-intermediate, Jon amp Liz Soars, Oxford University Press,2. Деловой английский для начинающих,С.Н. Любимцева, Москва, ГИС , 3.Базовый курсанглийского языка,
К.Э. Эккерсли, Харьков,СП Карвелла , 1996.
2dip.su
If we are looking at the map of Europe we can see two large islands – Great Britain and Ireland. The land located on the British Isles we call simply –England. England is really the name of one of three main districts of Britain: England, Scotland and Wales. Besides there is a northern part of Ireland, which belongs to the British monarchy too and why is the official name of the state reads – The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Great Britain is an old European country with its very famous history and culture. The British Isles is one of the most densely populated regions of the world. The population counts about 70 millions. Some parts of the country are really beautiful. There are many hills, rivers, lakes, beauty beaches on the see-side. The coast-line is very jagged; therefore the communication by boat was very common since the old times. Because of short distances air travel might seem unsuited to the situation in Britain, but connections between London and Scotland and particularly with Northern Ireland are very handy. A network of trains and buses links the capital with remote towns and villages. In the West lies Wales with its mountains and coalfields. Here was a big mining district in Great Britain. But now the most mines are closed and thousands of people had to find other job. Great Britain remains however a big industrial country. Sheffield is a centre of the steel industry and in Manchester there are many textile factories. Woolen goods of Shetland Isles- Isles in the North Sea are well-known all over the world. The fame of university education represents Oxford and Cambridge.
The political system of Great Britain is the constitutional monarchy, a king ( now it is the queen Elizabeth II ) has traditionally little power and can reign only with the support of Parliament. Parliament consists of two chambers known as the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Members of the House of Common (Lower Chamber) are elected by the people. The membership in the House of Lords is hereditary. A big role in the society plays political parties, which choose candidates in elections. The two major political parties are the Conservative Party and the Labor Party. The party which wins the majority of seats in Parliament forms the government and its leader usually becomes Prime Minister.
One of the country’s peculiarities is that it has the world’s largest town – London with its more than 12 million inhabitants. London, the capital of Great Britain is situated on the banks of the river Thames and is very famous with its buildings, parks and squares. Every visitor of London will see the building of the Tower, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and many other sightseeing.
Задание 70. Прочтите и переведите вышеприведенный текст, обращая внимание на необходимые слова и выражения:
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland – Соединенное Королевство Великобритании и Северной Ирландии
dense – плотный, густонаселенный density — плотность
jagged coast-line — изрезанная прибрежная полоса job — работа
unsuited, unsuitable — не подходящий, непригодный mine — шахта
handy — удобный hereditary — наследственный
to link — соединять remote — отдаленный
coalfields — залежи угля fame — известность, слава
mining district — район горных разработок
woollen goods — шерстяные изделия Shetland Isles — Шетландские острова
House of Common — Палата Общин, House of Lords — Палата Лордов
peculiarity — особенность sightseeing — достопримечательность
Задание 71. Переведите, обращая внимание на модальные глаголы и модальные конструкции:
1. In London we must see the East End too. 2. We can look eastwards from Waterloo Bridge. 3. I have to do this work. 4. The East End is the place where you may meet thousands of foreigners. 5. I can’t find the correct way. 6. Something should be done. 7. We must walk home as it is too late. 8. I shall have to regulate my watch. 9. You may not swim in the Thames.
Задание 72. Перескажите текст The United Kingdom по — английски.
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Monarchy of the United Kingdom
The monarchy of the United Kingdom (commonly referred to as the British monarchy) is the constitutional monarchy of the United Kingdom and its overseas territories. The present monarch, Elizabeth II, has reigned since 6 February 1952. She and her immediate family undertake various official, ceremonial and representational duties. As a constitutional monarch, the Queen is limited to non-partisan functions such as bestowing honours, dissolving Parliament and appointing the Prime Minister. Though the ultimate executive authority over the government of the United Kingdom is still by and through the monarch's royal prerogative, in practice these powers are only used according to laws enacted in Parliament or within the constraints of convention and precedent.
The British monarchy traces its origins from the Kings of the Angles and the early Scottish Kings. By the year 1000, the kingdoms of England and Scotland had developed from the petty kingdoms of early medieval Britain. The last Anglo-Saxon monarch (Harold II) was defeated and killed in the Norman invasion of 1066 and the English monarchy passed to the Norman conquerors. In the thirteenth century, the principality of Wales was absorbed by England, and Magna Carta began the process of reducing the political powers of the monarch.
From 1603, when the Scottish King James VI inherited the English throne as James I, both kingdoms were ruled by a single monarch. From 1649 to 1660, the tradition of monarchy was broken by the republican Commonwealth of England that followed the War of the Three Kingdoms. The Act of Settlement 1701, which is still in force, excluded Roman Catholics, or those married to Catholics, from succession to the English throne. In 1707, the kingdoms of England and Scotland were merged to create the Kingdom of Great Britain and, in 1801, the Kingdom of Ireland joined to create the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The British monarch became nominal head of the vast British Empire, which covered a quarter of the world[1] at its greatest extent in 1921.
In 1922, five sixths of Ireland seceded from the Union as the Irish Free State, but in law the monarch remained sovereign there until 1949. In 1931, the unitary British monarchy throughout the empire was split into legally distinct crowns for each of the Commonwealth realms. After World War II, former colonies and dominions became independent of Britain, bringing the British Empire to an end. George VI and his successor, Elizabeth II, adopted the title Head of the Commonwealth as a symbol of the free association of the independent countries comprising the Commonwealth of Nations.
At present, 15 other independent Commonwealth countries share with the United Kingdom the same person as their monarch. The terms British monarchy and British monarch are frequently still employed in reference not only to the extranational person and institution shared amongst all 16 of the realms,[2][3] but also to the distinct monarchies within each of these countries, often at variance with the different, specific, and official national titles and terms for each jurisdiction.
The Royal Family
At present the British royal family is headed by Queen Elizabeth. When the Queen was born on the 21st of April 1926, her grandfather, King George V, was on the throne and her uncle was his heir. The death of her grandfather and the abdication of her uncle brought her father to the throne as King George VI.
As a child she studied constitutional history and law as well as art and music. In addition she learned to ride and acquired her enthusiasm for horses. As she grew older she began to take part in public life, making her first broadcast at the age of 14.
The marriage of the young Princess Elizabeth to Philip, Duke of Edinburgh took place in November 1947. She came to the throne after her father's death in 1952 and was crowned in Westminster Abbey in June 1953.
Among Queen Elizabeth's many duties are the regular visits she makes to foreign countries, and especially those of the Commonwealth, whose interests and welfare are very important to her. The Queen has allowed the BBC to make a documentary film about the every day of the royal family. She also started the tradition of the «walkabout», an informal feature of an otherwise formal royal visit, when she walks among the public crowds and stops to talk to some people.
The annual Christmas broadcast made by the Queen on radio and television has become a traditional and popular feature of the season, and there were widespread celebrations and special programmes of events in 1977 to mark her Silver Jubilee.
The Queen's husband, Duke of Edinburgh, was born in 1926 and served in the Royal Navy. He takes a great deal of interest in industry, in the achievements of young people (he founded Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme in 1956) and in saving raise wild animals from extinction.
The Queen's heir is Charles, Prince of Wales, who was born in 1948, married Lady Diana Spencer and has two children, Prince William and Prince Harry. The Prince of Wales is well-known as a keen promoter of British interests.
In recent years he has become outspoken on such controversial topics as modern architecture, violence in films and on television, and the standard of English teaching in schools. His wife Diana, Princess of Wales (often called in mass media Princess Di), won the affection of many people by her modesty, shyness and beauty. Unfortunately, she died in a car accident in August, 1997.
The Queen's other children are Princess Anne (born in 1950), Prince Andrew (born in 1960) and Prince Edward (born in 1964). Anne, Princess Royal, has acquired a reputation for being arrogant, but in recent years has become quite popular with the general public.
The Queen is widely known for her interest in horses and horse-racing. She is now president of the Save the Children Fund, Chancellor of the University of London and carries out many public engagements.
Prince Andrew, Duke of York, served as a helicopter pilot in the Royal Navy. In 1986 he married Miss Sarah Ferguson (Fergie, for short) and has two daughters.
Prince Edward is keen on the theatre. This interest began while he was at university. He quit the Royal Marines, and is now pursuing a career with a theatrical company.
The Queen Mother, the widow of the late King George VI, celebrated her one hundred birthday in 2 000 and died in 2002. The Queen's only sister, Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, is well-known for her charity work.
Королевская семья
В настоящее время британскую королевскую семью возглавляет королева Елизавета. Когда королева родилась 21 апреля 1926 г., на троне был ее дедушка король Георг V, а ее дядя был наследником. После смерти ее дедушки и отречения от престола дяди ее отец взошел на трон как король Георг VI.
В детстве Елизавета изучала историю и право наряду с искусством и музыкой. К тому же она училась верховой езде и проявляла большой интерес к лошадям. Когда она подросла, то начала принимать участие в общественной жизни, выступив впервые по радио в возрасте 14 лет.
В ноябре 1947 г. состоялась свадьба молодой принцессы Елизаветы и Филиппа, герцога Эдинбургского. Она взошла на трон после смерти отца в 1952 г. и была коронована в Вестминстерском аббатстве в июне 1953 г.
Среди многочисленных обязанностей королевы Елизаветы — регулярные посещения иностранных государств, особенно стран Содружества, чьи интересы и благосостояние важны для нее. Королева позволила Би-би-си снять документальный фильм о буднях королевской семьи. Она также положила начало традиции королевских прогулок неофициального характера, непохожих на официальные визиты, когда она прогуливается среди людей, останавливается и разговаривает с некоторыми из них.
Ежегодные рождественские передачи по радио и телевидению стали традиционной и популярной приметой сезона. А в 1977 г. были проведены большие празднования и специальные представления по случаю серебряного юбилея правления королевы.
Муж королевы, герцог Эдинбургский, родился в 1926 г., служил в Королевском военно-морском флоте. Он проявляет большой интерес к промышленности, достижениям молодежи и спасению диких животных от вымирания.
Наследник королевы — Чарльз, принц Уэльский, который родился в 1948 г, женился на леди Диане Спенсер, имеет двоих детей: принца Уильяма и принца Гарри. Принц Уэльский известен как ярый защитник интересов Британии.
В последние годы он откровенно высказывался по таким спорным вопросам, как современная архитектура, насилие в кино и на телевидении, нормы обучения в английских школах. Его жена Диана, принцесса Уэльская (в средствах массовой информации ее часто называют принцесса Ди), завоевала любовь многих людей своей скромностью и красотой. К сожалению, в августе 1997 года она погибла в автокатастрофе.
Другие дети королевы — принцесса Анна (родилась в 1950 г.), принц Эндрю (родился в 1960 г.) и принц Эдвард (родился в 1964 г.) Принцесса Анна завоевала репутацию высокомерного человека, но в последнее время стала более популярна в народе.
Королева широко известна своим интересом к лошадям и верховой езде. Сейчас она является президентом Фонда защиты детей, ректором Лондонского университета и занимается общественной деятельностью.
Принц Эндрю, герцог Йоркский, служил пилотом вертолета в Королевском военно-морском, флоте. В 1986 г. он женился на Саре Фергюсон (сокращенно Ферджи) и имеет двоих детей.
Принц Эдвард любит театр. Этот интерес появился еще в университете. Он оставил Королевскую морскую пехоту и сейчас делает карьеру в составе театральной труппы.
Королева-мать, вдова последнего короля Георга VI, отметила свой столетний юбилей в 2000 г. и умерла в 2002 году. Единственная сестра королевы, принцесса Маргарет, графиня Сноудона, хорошо известна своей благотворительной деятельностью.
The British Royal Family is the group of close relatives of the monarch of the United Kingdom. The term is also commonly applied to the same group of people as the relations of the monarch in his or her role as sovereign of any of the other Commonwealth realms, thus sometimes at variance with official national terms for the family.[1] Members of the royal family belong to, either by birth or marriage, the House of Windsor, since 1917, when George V changed the name of the royal house from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.
Although in the United Kingdom there is no strict legal or formal definition of who is or is not a member of the Royal Family,[2] and different lists will include different people, those carrying the style His or Her Majesty (HM), or His or Her Royal Highness (HRH) are always considered members, which usually results in the application of the term to the monarch, the consort of the monarch, the widowed consorts of previous monarchs, the children of the monarch, the male-line grandchildren of the monarch, and the spouses and the widows of a monarch's sons and male-line grandsons.
Members and relatives of the British Royal Family historically represented the monarch in various places throughout the British Empire, sometimes for extended periods as viceroys, or for specific ceremonies or events. Today, they often perform ceremonial and social duties throughout the United Kingdom and abroad on behalf of the UK, but, aside from the monarch, have no constitutional role in the affairs of government. This is the same for the other realms of the Commonwealth though the family there acts on behalf of, is funded by, and represents the sovereign of that particular state, and not the United Kingdom
the coronation
The Coronation of the British Monarch is a ceremony (specifically, initiation rite) in which the monarch of the United Kingdom is formally crowned and invested with regalia. It corresponds to coronation ceremonies that formerly occurred in other European monarchies, which have currently abandoned coronations in favour of inauguration or enthronement ceremonies.
The coronation usually takes place several months after the death of the previous monarch, as it is considered a joyous occasion that would be inappropriate when mourning still continues. This also gives planners enough time to complete the elaborate arrangements required. For example, Elizabeth II was crowned on 2 June 1953, despite having acceded to the throne on 6 February 1952, the instant her father died. British law states that the throne is not left vacant and the new monarch succeeds the old immediately.
The ceremony is performed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the most senior cleric of the Church of England. Other clergy and members of the nobility also have roles; most participants in the ceremony are required to wear ceremonial uniforms or robes. Many other government officials and guests attend, including representatives of foreign countries.
The essential elements of the coronation have remained largely unchanged for the past thousand years. The sovereign is first presented to, and acclaimed by, the people. He or she then swears an oath to uphold the law and the Church. Following that, the monarch is anointed with oil, crowned, and invested with the regalia, before receiving the homage of his or her subjects.
www.ronl.ru
