House of Hanover

Hanover, House of, reigning family of Hanover, in Germany, and of Great Britain (1714–1901). In 1658 the 1st Elector of Hanover married Sophia, granddaughter of James I, heir to the British throne by the Act of Settlement (1701). Her son became George I of Britain. By Salic law, his descendant, Victoria, could not become queen of Hanover, and from 1837, when she assumed the British crown, the thrones separated. On Edward VII's accession (1901) the family name became Saxe-Coburg (after Prince Albert), and in 1917 was changed to Windsor.