The Royal Family in colour: Stunning pictures originally in black and white show glamour of leading figures of the monarchy as far back as the 1800s and include a doting Queen Elizabeth and Duke of Edinburgh with baby Anne

  • Set includes Elizabeth the Queen Mother in 1920s and the Queen's grandfather George V in 1911
  • Also pictured is the Queen's grandmother, Mary of Teck; and Queen Victoria in 1887
  • Images painstakingly colourised by housewife Nicola Branson, 47, from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire 

By Nick Enoch for MailOnline

Published: 06:59 EDT, 29 June 2018 | Updated: 10:26 EDT, 29 June 2018

The history of the Royal family has been charted in a series of stunning colourised pictures.

Vivid images show Queen Victoria in 1887, King George V in 1911 and Queen Mary - all posing for the camera for what were originally black and white portraits.

Other striking shots show a young Princess Margaret and the late Queen Mother in her more youthful days.

Scroll down for video 

The history of Britain's Royal family has been charted in a series of stunning colourised pictures. Among them is Elizabeth the Queen Mother (1900-202), seen above in the 1920s. She was born the Honourable Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon on August 4, 1900. She spent her early childhood at St Paul's Waldenbury in Hertfordshire. When her father inherited his Earldom in 1904, she became Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon

The history of Britain's Royal family has been charted in a series of stunning colourised pictures. Among them is Elizabeth the Queen Mother (1900-202), seen above in the 1920s. She was born the Honourable Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon on August 4, 1900. She spent her early childhood at St Paul's Waldenbury in Hertfordshire. When her father inherited his Earldom in 1904, she became Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon

Elizabeth the Queen Mother, in 1920. On April 26, 1923, she married HRH The Duke of York (Prince Albert Frederick Arthur George), The King and Queen's second son, in Westminster Abbey. They had two children - Princess Elizabeth (the current Queen) and Princess Margaret

Elizabeth the Queen Mother, in 1920. On April 26, 1923, she married HRH The Duke of York (Prince Albert Frederick Arthur George), The King and Queen's second son, in Westminster Abbey. They had two children - Princess Elizabeth (the current Queen) and Princess Margaret

This striking colourised shot from 1911 shows George V (1865-1936), the Queen's grandfather. The second son of Edward VII - and grandson of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert - he reigned from 1910 to 1936. He was born into the the House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. In 1893, he married Princess Victoria Mary of Teck, and went on to have five sons, including Albert, who would be crowned George VI. The royal family became known as the House of Windsor in 1917 when King George V dropped the German surname Saxe-Coburg-Gotha amid anti-German feeling during the First World War

This striking colourised shot from 1911 shows George V (1865-1936), the Queen's grandfather. The second son of Edward VII - and grandson of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert - he reigned from 1910 to 1936. He was born into the the House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. In 1893, he married Princess Victoria Mary of Teck, and went on to have five sons, including Albert, who would be crowned George VI. The royal family became known as the House of Windsor in 1917 when King George V dropped the German surname Saxe-Coburg-Gotha amid anti-German feeling during the First World War

Princess Margaret (1930-2002) - seen above in 1950 - was the younger daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, and sister to The Queen. She was born on August 21, 1930. The Princess played an active role in the Royal Family's public work, supporting The Queen. During her lifetime, she was patron or president of more than 80 organisations, including ballet companies and children's charities. She married Antony Armstrong-Jones (who later became Earl of Snowdon) in 1960; their marriage was dissolved in 1978. Two of her children with him survive her: Lord Linley and Lady Sarah Chatto

Princess Margaret (1930-2002) - seen above in 1950 - was the younger daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, and sister to The Queen. She was born on August 21, 1930. The Princess played an active role in the Royal Family's public work, supporting The Queen. During her lifetime, she was patron or president of more than 80 organisations, including ballet companies and children's charities. She married Antony Armstrong-Jones (who later became Earl of Snowdon) in 1960; their marriage was dissolved in 1978. Two of her children with him survive her: Lord Linley and Lady Sarah Chatto

Seen here is the Queen's grandmother - Queen Mary of Teck (1867-1953), who was the consort of King George V. Born and raised in England, she was the only daughter of Prinz von Teck, a member of the royal house of Württemberg, a historical German territory. Mary was the mother of kings Edward VIII (later Duke of Windsor; he abdicated to marry American socialite Wallis Simpson) and George VI

Seen here is the Queen's grandmother - Queen Mary of Teck (1867-1953), who was the consort of King George V. Born and raised in England, she was the only daughter of Prinz von Teck, a member of the royal house of Württemberg, a historical German territory. Mary was the mother of kings Edward VIII (later Duke of Windsor; he abdicated to marry American socialite Wallis Simpson) and George VI

HRH Princess Mary (1897-1965) is seen here, on piano in 1915.  The only daughter of King George V and Queen Mary, she was born at York Cottage on the Sandringham Estate. She was the third of the six children of her parents, who were the Duke and Duchess of York at the time of her birth

HRH Princess Mary (1897-1965) is seen here, on piano in 1915.  The only daughter of King George V and Queen Mary, she was born at York Cottage on the Sandringham Estate. She was the third of the six children of her parents, who were the Duke and Duchess of York at the time of her birth

HRH Prince Henry (1900-1974), son of King George V, is seen here in 1924. The third son of George V and Queen Mary, he was created Duke of Gloucester in 1928. In 1921, he joined the 10th Royal Hussars. During the Second World War, he served as Chief Liaison Officer between the British and French armies in Europe and (from 1941) as second in command of the 20th Armoured Brigade. He married Princess Alice in 1935 and went on to have two sons, Princes William and Richard

HRH Prince Henry (1900-1974), son of King George V, is seen here in 1924. The third son of George V and Queen Mary, he was created Duke of Gloucester in 1928. In 1921, he joined the 10th Royal Hussars. During the Second World War, he served as Chief Liaison Officer between the British and French armies in Europe and (from 1941) as second in command of the 20th Armoured Brigade. He married Princess Alice in 1935 and went on to have two sons, Princes William and Richard

The Queen and Prince Philip with baby Anne in 1950. Princess Elizabeth and Philip first met when they attended the wedding of his cousin, Princess Marina of Greece to The Duke of Kent, who was an uncle of Elizabeth, in 1934. Their engagement was announced on July 9, 1947 and the couple were married in Westminster Abbey on November 20 the same year. Prince Charles, now The Prince of Wales, heir apparent to the throne, was born in 1948, and his sister, Princess Anne, now The Princess Royal, two years later. Their third child, Prince Andrew, arrived in 1960 and the fourth, Prince Edward, in 1964

The Queen and Prince Philip with baby Anne in 1950. Princess Elizabeth and Philip first met when they attended the wedding of his cousin, Princess Marina of Greece to The Duke of Kent, who was an uncle of Elizabeth, in 1934. Their engagement was announced on July 9, 1947 and the couple were married in Westminster Abbey on November 20 the same year. Prince Charles, now The Prince of Wales, heir apparent to the throne, was born in 1948, and his sister, Princess Anne, now The Princess Royal, two years later. Their third child, Prince Andrew, arrived in 1960 and the fourth, Prince Edward, in 1964

The original black and white photographs were painstakingly colourised by housewife Nicola Branson, 47, from Wellingborough, Norhtamptonshire. 

'I decided to look at the Royals for colouring as a private project originally that I was going to share on my Instagram account. But a few close friends who have seen me working on these photos suggested they were amazed how they looked more like a colour photo rather than a coloured photo,' she said.

'The Royals through their generations have all been very photogenic and my personal favourite is the Queen Mother. My dad, a few months before he died, said to me, "What's the point of having all these photos when now you can keep them on your phone or PC?".

'My response was that they are all memories - and memories can live forever. Through today's technology, old photos can be restored and colour added - those people can have pride of place in a photo frame.'

The royal family became known as the House of Windsor in 1917 when the Queen’s grandfather King George V dropped the German surname Saxe-Coburg-Gotha amid anti-German feeling during the First World War. 

Mary of Teck, pictured in 1889. At the time, she was known as Princess Victoria Mary. In the run-up to the birth of William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's second child, Charlotte, in 2015, there was intense speculation among bookmakers that she was also going to be called Mary

Mary of Teck, pictured in 1889. At the time, she was known as Princess Victoria Mary. In the run-up to the birth of William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's second child, Charlotte, in 2015, there was intense speculation among bookmakers that she was also going to be called Mary

HRH King Edward VII (1841-1910), above in 1902. The future Edward VII was born on November 9, 1841, at Buckingham Palace. He was the first-born son and second child of Queen Victoria and her consort, Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. During his mother's reign, he undertook public duties but was excluded by his mother from acting as her deputy until 1898. His high society lifestyle as Prince of Wales caused her considerable misgiving. Edward was 59 when he became king, having been heir apparent for longer than anyone else previously in British history. In 1863, he married Alexandra of Denmark. They had six children, including George V

HRH King Edward VII (1841-1910), above in 1902. The future Edward VII was born on November 9, 1841, at Buckingham Palace. He was the first-born son and second child of Queen Victoria and her consort, Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. During his mother's reign, he undertook public duties but was excluded by his mother from acting as her deputy until 1898. His high society lifestyle as Prince of Wales caused her considerable misgiving. Edward was 59 when he became king, having been heir apparent for longer than anyone else previously in British history. In 1863, he married Alexandra of Denmark. They had six children, including George V

Queen Victoria (1819-1901), above in 1887. Victoria was born at Kensington Palace, London, on May 24,  1819. She was the only daughter of Edward, Duke of Kent, fourth son of George III. Her father died shortly after her birth and she became heir to the throne because the three uncles who were ahead of her in the succession - George IV, Frederick Duke of York, and William IV - had no legitimate children who survived. Her marriage to Prince Albert produced nine children between 1840 and 1857, including Edward VII. Most of her children married into other Royal families of Europe

Queen Victoria (1819-1901), above in 1887. Victoria was born at Kensington Palace, London, on May 24,  1819. She was the only daughter of Edward, Duke of Kent, fourth son of George III. Her father died shortly after her birth and she became heir to the throne because the three uncles who were ahead of her in the succession - George IV, Frederick Duke of York, and William IV - had no legitimate children who survived. Her marriage to Prince Albert produced nine children between 1840 and 1857, including Edward VII. Most of her children married into other Royal families of Europe

How Mountbatten-Windsor became the official royal surname

If any members of the royal family need an official surname, they can use 'Mountbatten-Windsor', according to The Royal Family’s website.

It reads: 'For the most part, members of the Royal Family who are entitled to the style and dignity of HRH Prince or Princess do not need a surname, but if at any time any of them do need a surname (such as upon marriage), that surname is Mountbatten-Windsor.’

The surname came to fruition when Princess Elizabeth (George V's granddaughter) married Philip Mountbatten in 1947. 

Princess Anne used it on her marriage certificate in 1973.

Since then, members of the royal family belong, either by birth or by marriage, to the House of Windsor. Built in the 11th century, Windsor is the oldest and largest continually occupied castle in Europe.

Saxe-Coburg-Gotha had become part of the royal family in 1840 with the marriage of Queen Victoria to Prince Albert.

Dynasties had changed throughout history such as the Stuarts and the Hanoverians but the decision to completely replace the name of those on the throne was a dramatic new move.

And so it was that on July 17 that year, the King issued a royal proclamation changing the royals' house and surname, declaring that they would 'be styled and known as the House and Family of Windsor' and that they would 'relinquish and discontinue the use of all German Titles and Dignities'. 

George V’s decision followed concern in the press - in the wake of the Russian revolution and the forced abdication of the Tsar Nicholas II - that the King should not offer asylum to the Russian royals.

There was also concern that the UK was at war with Germany but had German royals on its throne.   

Senior titled members of the royal family do not usually use a surname. 

However, since 1960, Mountbatten-Windsor, incorporating Prince Philip's adopted surname of Mountbatten, has been prescribed as a surname for Elizabeth II's direct descendants who do not have royal styles and titles, and it has sometimes been used when required for those who do have such titles. 

Princess Mary (1897-1965) and son George Henry, in 1923. Mary was born during the reign of her great-grandmother, Queen Victoria

Princess Mary (1897-1965) and son George Henry, in 1923. Mary was born during the reign of her great-grandmother, Queen Victoria

Princess Margaret Rose with the Queen Mother. Margaret was born on August 21, 1930. The Princess was educated at home with her sister Princess Elizabeth (now The Queen). She learned to ride, enjoyed swimming and became a keen gardener. By the age of four, she had piano lessons and would go on to become an accomplished pianist

Princess Margaret Rose with the Queen Mother. Margaret was born on August 21, 1930. The Princess was educated at home with her sister Princess Elizabeth (now The Queen). She learned to ride, enjoyed swimming and became a keen gardener. By the age of four, she had piano lessons and would go on to become an accomplished pianist

Ms Branson, who used Adobe Photoshop to restore and instil colour into the photos, explained how she became interested in the quirky hobby. 

'I started restoring and colourising old photos by my interest in genealogy,' she said.

'When my dad died, I started looking at the old photos that had been passed down from my grandparents. 

'I was intrigued by how they would look in colour after being hidden away in a suitcase. After all, life was never in black and white.

'It helps to have an exceptional eye for detail, as the detail required to "bring them back to life" all makes the effect. 

'Many layers of different colours and tones are added to the black and white photo.

'Over the time I have restored and coloured photos, I love the joy it brings to other people, seeing their faces light up with amazement when they see their ancestor in colour.'

HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, above in 1950. After a successful naval career during which he saw active service in the Second World War, Philip began to focus on his work in support of The Queen following her Accession in 1952. In 2009, he became the longest-serving British consort (companion to the Sovereign), a distinction previously held by Queen Charlotte, George III’s consort. His Royal Highness also has many interests which he pursues separately to his work with Her Majesty, including conservation, engineering, and The Duke of Edinburgh's Award which he founded in 1956. Now 97, he attended the Royal Windsor Cup Polo match a few days ago - and looked in remarkably good health following a hip replacement in April

HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, above in 1950. After a successful naval career during which he saw active service in the Second World War, Philip began to focus on his work in support of The Queen following her Accession in 1952. In 2009, he became the longest-serving British consort (companion to the Sovereign), a distinction previously held by Queen Charlotte, George III’s consort. His Royal Highness also has many interests which he pursues separately to his work with Her Majesty, including conservation, engineering, and The Duke of Edinburgh's Award which he founded in 1956. Now 97, he attended the Royal Windsor Cup Polo match a few days ago - and looked in remarkably good health following a hip replacement in April


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