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Saxe-Coburg-Gotha
Edward VII (1841-1910)Ruled 1901-1910
Victoria's marriage to Prince Albert, the son of Ernst, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha brought the name Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to the British royal family. But her son, Edward VII, was the only member of this dynasty as his son, George V, changed the family name to Windsor during the first world war.
The Windsors
George V (1865-1936)Ruled 1910-1936
The second son of Edward VII, George invented the family name Windsor during the first world war to get away from the German associations of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha.
Edward VIII (1894-1972)
Ruled January – December 1936
George V's son, Edward, was forced to abdicate when he was made to choose between the throne and his wish to marry an American divorcee, Wallis Simpson. He lived abroad for the rest of life, and died in Paris in 1972.
George VI (1895-1952)
Ruled 1936-1952
George VI became king after his brother Edward VIII's abdicated less than a year after succeeding to the throne.
Elizabeth II (1926-)
Ruled 1952-
The elder of two daughters to George VI, Elizabeth II is the current queen.
