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British History/MONARCHS' ORDINAL NUMBERS

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Expert: - 7/17/2008


Question
Why is the present Queen given the ordinal II when the  previous Queen Elizabeth was only Queen of England (and not the UK)?

Answer
Hello John.
When the Scots objected to the Queen taking the title Elizabeth II when there had been no Elizabeth I in Scotland it was announced that in future all British monarchs would take the Regnal number from past monarchs both English and Scottish, whichever is the higher. So if there was ever to be a King Alexander he would be Alexander IV as there have been three Kings of that name in Scotland, but none in England. Prince Charles will be Charles III and Prince William William V, even though there have been only two Kings of Scotland named William, but four in England.
Mark

British History

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Mark Smith

Expertise

I have a good basic knowledge of British political history, but my speciality is the Kings and Queens of England and Scotland from 927 AD. Please no social history questions, it's not my strong point and I'm unlikely to answer them.

Experience

No professional experience, but a lifelong interest and access to a variety of sources of information.

Education/Credentials
"A" level in History.

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