What Is the Queen's Last Name and Full Legal Name
Queen Elizabeth II's full legal name was Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, and her surname was Windsor, which is the dynastic last name used by the British royal family since 1917. Her official title was Queen Elizabeth II, and her surname appears in records such as the Royal Family website and genealogical documents.
The surname Windsor replaced the earlier House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha name in 1917, during World War I, to reflect the family's ties to the United Kingdom. In legal and genealogical contexts, the Queen is referred to as Elizabeth Windsor, while her children and grandchildren typically carry the Windsor surname in official records.
How the Royal Family Surname Works in Practice
Members of the British royal family often do not use a surname in daily life because they are known by their titles, such as Prince, Princess, Duke, or Duchess. When a surname is needed, for example on birth certificates or in military service, the family may use Mountbatten-Windsor, which combines Windsor with Prince Philip's surname, Mountbatten.
The use of Mountbatten-Windsor as a surname applies to some descendants of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, but senior royals such as the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex are typically identified by their titles rather than a last name. Official documents, court records, and Parliament sources refer to the family by either Windsor or their specific royal title.
Queen Elizabeth II's Lineage and Succession
Queen Elizabeth II was born Princess Elizabeth of York and became heir presumptive after her father, King George VI, ascended the throne in 1936. She acceded to the throne on February 6, 1952, and her reign lasted more than 70 years, making her the longest-reigning British monarch in history.
Upon her death in September 2022, her eldest son, Charles, became King Charles III, and the surname of the reigning royal house remains Windsor. The line of succession now includes Prince William, Prince George, and other descendants, all of whom carry the Windsor surname or the Mountbatten-Windsor double-barrelled surname in official records. The Buckingham Palace website provides current details on the royal family's titles and succession.