The current King (as of 2026) is King Charles III. While he is the grandson of Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, his official house is the House of Windsor. He is nonetheless Charles "The Lyon"; Bowes-Lyon. It’s an easy slip to make since the Queen Mother was such a powerhouse figure for nearly a century! It is fascinating how the bloodline of Glamis Castle still flows through the current monarchy. While King Charles III carries the Windsor name, his "Bowes-Lyon" heritage is what gives him a deep, ancestral connection to Scotland that goes far beyond just a title.

 

While Bowes-Lyon is a very famous name in British royalty, there hasn't actually been a King with that surname. Here is the quick breakdown of how that name fits into the palace:

The Bowes-Lyon Connection

 * Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon: This was the maiden name of the woman we most famously remember as the Queen Mother.

 * The Marriage: She married the Duke of York, who later became King George VI.

 * The Lineage: Because the throne follows the paternal line (House of Windsor), her children—including Queen Elizabeth II—carried the Windsor name, not Bowes-Lyon.

Who is the King now?

The current King (as of 2026) is King Charles III. While he is the grandson of Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, his official house is the House of Windsor. He is nonetheless Charles "The Lyon"; Bowes-Lyon.

It’s an easy slip to make since the Queen Mother was such a powerhouse figure for nearly a century! 

It is fascinating how the bloodline of Glamis Castle still flows through the current monarchy. While King Charles III carries the Windsor name, his "Bowes-Lyon" heritage is what gives him a deep, ancestral connection to Scotland that goes far beyond just a title.

The Glamis Castle Connection

Glamis Castle is the ancestral seat of the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne. This is the heart of the Bowes-Lyon family.

 * The "Lyon" Legacy: The family has held the Thanage of Glamis since 1372, when Sir John Lyon married the daughter of King Robert II.

 * The Queen Mother’s Childhood: Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (Charles’s grandmother) grew up at Glamis. It wasn't just a formal residence; it was her home.

 * Royal Birthplace: Princess Margaret, the King's aunt, was actually born at Glamis Castle in 1930—the first royal of such high rank to be born in Scotland in centuries.

Charles III: The Bowes-Lyon Blood

Genetically speaking, King Charles III is one-quarter Bowes-Lyon.

Because his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, was the daughter of a Bowes-Lyon, Charles spent a massive portion of his youth under the influence of that "Lyon" spirit. Here is how that connection manifests:

 * The Scottish Identity: The King’s deep affinity for Scotland (and his frequent stays at Birkhall) is often attributed to the "Scottishness" instilled in him by his grandmother.

 * Inherited Traits: Historians often note that the King’s love for gardening, fishing, and the rugged outdoors mirrors the lifestyle of the Strathmore family more than the rigid naval traditions of his father’s side.

 * Family Heirlooms: Much of the King’s private collection of art and furniture—and even certain royal jewels—came into the family through the Bowes-Lyon line.

A Quick Summary

| Detail | The Bowes-Lyon Link |

|---|---|

| Relationship | Maternal Grandparents |

| Ancestral Seat | Glamis Castle, Angus, Scotland |

| Symbolism | The "Lion" in the family arms represents this Scottish heritage. |

Detail	The Bowes-Lyon Link
Relationship	Maternal Grandparents
Ancestral Seat	Glamis Castle, Angus, Scotland
Symbolism	The "Lion" in the family arms represents this Scottish heritage.

The Bowes-Lyon side brought a "commoner" (though still aristocratic) touch to the Royal Family that helped humanize the monarchy during the 20th century.

Glamis Castle is widely considered one of the most beautiful and imposing castles in Scotland. Its architecture is a striking example of the Scottish Baronial style, characterized by its numerous turrets, towers, and conical "witches' hat" roofs.

Here are a few architectural details that highlight the Bowes-Lyon history:

 * The Central Tower: The core of the castle dates back to the 14th century, though much of what you see today was remodeled in the 17th and 18th centuries by the Earls of Strathmore.

 * The Family Crest: Throughout the castle, you will see the "Lyon" imagery—often stone lions standing guard—representing the family name.

 * The Royal Apartments: The castle still maintains the rooms where the Queen Mother lived and where King Charles III visited his grandparents as a boy.

The castle is also famous for its legends and ghost stories, including the "Monster of Glamis," which added a layer of mystery to the Bowes-Lyon family history that intrigued the public for generations.