<P> The name was changed from Saxe - Coburg and Gotha to the English Windsor in 1917 because of anti-German sentiment in the British Empire during World War I. During the reign of the Windsors, major changes took place in British society . The British Empire participated in the First and Second World Wars, ending up on the winning side both times, but subsequently lost its status as a superpower during decolonisation . Much of Ireland broke with the United Kingdom and the remnants of the Empire became the Commonwealth of Nations . </P> <P> The current head of the house is monarch of sixteen sovereign states . These are the United Kingdom (where they are based), Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize, Antigua and Barbuda, and Saint Kitts and Nevis . As well as these separate monarchies, there are also three Crown dependencies, fourteen British Overseas Territories and two associated states of New Zealand . </P> <P> Edward VII and, in turn, his son, George V, were members of the German ducal House of Saxe - Coburg and Gotha by virtue of their descent from Albert, Prince Consort, husband of Queen Victoria . High anti-German sentiment amongst the people of the British Empire during World War I reached a peak in March 1917, when the Gotha G. IV, a heavy aircraft capable of crossing the English Channel, began bombing London directly and became a household name . In the same year, on 15 March, King George's first cousin, Nicholas II, the Emperor of Russia, was forced to abdicate, which raised the spectre of the eventual abolition of all the monarchies in Europe . The King and his family were finally convinced to abandon all titles held under the German Crown and to change German titles and house names to anglicised versions . Hence, on 17 July 1917, a royal proclamation issued by George V declared: </P> <P> Now, therefore, We, out of Our Royal Will and Authority, do hereby declare and announce that as from the date of this Our Royal Proclamation Our House and Family shall be styled and known as the House and Family of Windsor, and that all the descendants in the male line of Our said Grandmother Queen Victoria who are subjects of these Realms, other than female descendants who may marry or may have married, shall bear the said Name of Windsor...</P>

When did the windsors come to the throne