6 royal birthdays for November
It's candles for Charles this month as he celebrates his birthday
(photo By Korona Lacasse [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons)
There might not be as many royal birthdays in November as in other months, but these ones pack a real regal punch. On this list you'll find two heirs as well as a first born grandson of a monarch. Get the cards and cake ready, here are six royal birthdays for November.
Charles Philip Arthur George was born on November 14th 1948 at Buckingham Palace, London. He was the first child of the then Princess Elizabeth, heir to the throne, and her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and he arrived just days short of his parents first wedding anniversary. His birth, like their marriage,was a high point for a country still recovering from the Second World War. He became heir to the throne on February 6th 1952 on the accession of his mother as Elizabeth II and he has held that role ever since making him the longest serving first in line in British history.
Guillaume, Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg is 36 on November 11th 2017
Guillaume Jean Joseph Marie was born on November 11th 1981 at the Grand Duchess Charlotte Maternity Hospital in Luxembourg. He was the first child of the then Hereditary Grand Duke and Duchess, Henri and Maria Teresa, who had married on Valentine's Day that year. He became heir to the throne on his father's accession in 2000 and married Stephanie Lannoy in 2012.
Queen Sofia of Spain is 79 on November 2nd 2017
Sofia of Spain has had happier birthdays and that's saying something. She was born a princess of Greece and Denmark on November 2nd 1938 in Athens. She was the first child of Paul, then first in line for the Greek throne, and his wife, Federica, who had married in January that year. Her father became King of Greece in 1947 and in 1962 she married Juan Carlos of Spain who would become his country's king in 1975. She saw her son, Felipe, become King of Spain in June 2014 on the abdication of Juan Carlos and will spend this birthday watching him wrestle with the biggest political crisis to hit his country in decades. Sofia is still much admired in Spain despite her more background role now.
Sofia of Spain has had happier birthdays and that's saying something. She was born a princess of Greece and Denmark on November 2nd 1938 in Athens. She was the first child of Paul, then first in line for the Greek throne, and his wife, Federica, who had married in January that year. Her father became King of Greece in 1947 and in 1962 she married Juan Carlos of Spain who would become his country's king in 1975. She saw her son, Felipe, become King of Spain in June 2014 on the abdication of Juan Carlos and will spend this birthday watching him wrestle with the biggest political crisis to hit his country in decades. Sofia is still much admired in Spain despite her more background role now.
Peter Phillips is 40 on November 15th 2017
Well, that's something to make the longest reigning monarch in British history feel even more historic. Her eldest grandchild turns forty this month. Peter Mark Andrew Phillips. first grandchild of the Queen, was born on November 15th 1977 at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington. He was the first child of Princess Anne and her first husband, Mark Phillips. At birth he was fifth in line to the throne and his parents' decision to not raise him with a title caused huge debate at the time. He was educated at Gordunstun and the University of Exeter before taking jobs in sports sponsorship and management. He married Autumn Kelly in 2008 and the couple has two daughters.
David Albert Charles Armstrong-Jones was born on November 3rd 1961 at Clarence House, London, He was the first child of the Queen's only sister, Princess Margaret, and her then husband, Anthony Armstrong-Jones, Earl of Snowdon. At birth, the new Viscount Linley was fifth in line to the throne. He spent a lot of time with his royal cousins growing up and would go on to develop a career in furniture making and antiques. He married Serena Stanhope in 1993 and the couple has two children. Earlier this year he became Earl of Snowdon on the death of his father.
Lady Louise Windsor will be 14 on November 8th 2017
Louise Alice Elizabeth Mary was born on November 8th 2003 at Frimley Park Hospital, Surrey, the first child of the Earl and Countess of Wessex. She was born prematurely after her mother was rushed to hospital. Like her November cousin, Peter Phillips, there was debate about her title at birth but her parents announced she would be known as Lady Louise Windsor. She makes appearances at major royal events like Trooping the Colour. Lady Louise is eleventh in line to the throne.
