Anne, Queen of Great Britain

Anne
Title	Queen of Great Britain
Reign	1 May 1707 – 1 August 1714
Coronation	23 April 1702
Predecessor	William III
Successor	George I
Spouse	Prince George of Denmark
Issue	Prince William, Duke of Gloucester
Full Name
House	House of Stuart
Father	James II
Mother	Anne Hyde
Birth Date	6 February 1665
Birth Place	St James's Palace, London
Death Date	1 August 1714
Death Place	Kensington Palace, London
Burial Date	24 August 1714
Burial Place	Westminster Abbey

Anne (6 February 1665 – 1 August 1714) was the last monarch of the House of Stuart and the first sovereign of the unified Kingdom of Great Britain. Her reign marked a period of significant political and social change, including the Act of Union 1707, which united the kingdoms of England and Scotland.

Early Life

Anne was born at St James's Palace in London, the second daughter of James, Duke of York (later James II) and his first wife, Anne Hyde. She was raised as a Protestant, despite her father's conversion to Catholicism, which later became a significant issue during his reign.

Marriage and Family

In 1683, Anne married Prince George of Denmark, a union that was politically advantageous and personally affectionate. The couple had numerous children, but only one, Prince William, Duke of Gloucester, survived infancy, and he died at the age of 11.

Ascension to the Throne

Anne became queen on 8 March 1702, following the death of her brother-in-law, William III. Her reign began during a time of war, as England was involved in the War of the Spanish Succession.

Reign

Anne's reign was marked by the Act of Union 1707, which was a significant political achievement that created the Kingdom of Great Britain. This act was the result of negotiations between the English and Scottish parliaments and was driven by both political and economic factors.

Anne's reign also saw the development of the two-party system in British politics, with the Whigs and Tories vying for power. Anne initially favored the Tories, but later shifted her support to the Whigs, particularly during the war.

Health and Death

Anne suffered from numerous health issues throughout her life, including gout and obesity, which were exacerbated by her many pregnancies and miscarriages. Her health declined significantly in the last years of her reign, and she died on 1 August 1714 at Kensington Palace.

Legacy

Anne's death marked the end of the House of Stuart and the beginning of the House of Hanover with the accession of George I. Her reign is often remembered for the Act of Union 1707 and the political developments that laid the groundwork for modern British parliamentary democracy.

Also see

• Act of Union 1707
• House of Stuart
• War of the Spanish Succession
• Whigs (British political party)
• Tories (British political party)