Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Massachusetts

**Elizabeth** (*Elizabeth Marie Vivienne*; born 10 September 1972) is the youngest child of Charles II, a member of the New Anglian royal family, and the fifth-in-line to the New Anglian throne.

Elizabeth was born in Washington, D.C. as the youngest child of Charles II and his wife Queen Frances of Montpierre. Elizabeth attended Sidwell Friends School, graduating with her secondary school diploma in 1990. Afterwards, she enrolled in Georgetown University, receiving a degree in New Anglian history in 1994. After completing her education, Elizabeth remained in Washington, D.C., where she began prioritizing her royal duties and pursuing philanthropy. Elizabeth married Paul Decker in December 1997; they have two children together: Prince Charles of Massachusetts (born 2000) and Princess Theresa of Massachusetts (born 2003).

## Early life

Elizabeth was born on 10 September 1972 at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C. with the birth name *Elizabeth Marie Vivienne*. Her parents are Charles II and Queen Frances of Montpierre, then known as the Prince and Princess of Columbia. She was named after various relatives, including her great-great grandmother, maternal great-aunt, and maternal aunt. Her father was the eldest son of Henry II and heir apparent to the New Anglian throne, while her mother came from the French noble House of Montpierre.

Elizabeth spent her upbringing residing at Hogg Cottage in Chevy Chase Section Five, Maryland, a five-bedroom estate belonging to the royal family. Her elder brother Prince Charles Henry was born five years before her, and her elder sister Victoria was born three-and-a-half years earlier. She and her siblings were raised bilingually in English and French.

## Youth and education

Elizabeth began her education in 1977, enrolling in kindergarten at Sidwell Friends School in nearby Bethesda, Maryland, a private, coeducational, PK–12 school affiliated with Quakerism. In her youth, Elizabeth was said to struggle with school, and was later diagnosed with dyslexia in 1983, aged ten.

Elizabeth began secondary school at Sidwell Friends School in 1984, where she was a "moderate" academic achiever and played on the girl's varsity soccer team, having been inspired to play by her father and elder brother. She later graduated from the school with her secondary school diploma in 1990. After graduating, Elizabeth enrolled in Georgetown University, studying New Anglian history. She graduated with her degree in 1994.

## Marriage and family

Elizabeth began a relationship with South African entrepreneur Paul Decker in 1995, after having previously met as platonic friends in 1993. Paul was a commoner, and came from a middle-class Afrikaner family from Cape Town. Elizabeth and Paul became engaged in May 1996. Following the announcement of their engagement to the public, their relationship was met with widespread disapproval. Frequent criticisms of Paul and their relationship included their 17-year age gap, Paul having been divorced and with a teenage daughter, and his reports of alleged rude and conceited behavior.

Despite the public disapproval, Elizabeth and Paul married in a royal wedding on 6 December 1997 at Columbia Cathedral. Upon their marriage, Elizabeth was granted the courtesy title Duchess of Massachusetts by her father, and Paul received New Anglian citizenship and the royal title *His Royal Highness* The Duke of Massachusetts. The two settled in Varnon House on the grounds of the White House.

Elizabeth and Paul have two children together:

* Prince *Charles* Henry Alexander Pieter (born 10 July 2000)
* Princess *Theresa* Victoria Frances Agnes (born 2 January 2003)

Elizabeth is also the stepmother to Paul's daughter from his first marriage:

* *Nathalie* Anneke Decker (born 23 December 1980)

## Titles

Upon her birth, Elizabeth became styled as *Her Royal Highness* Princess Elizabeth. Following her marriage in 1997, Charles II granted her the courtesy title the Duchess of Massachusetts.

* **10 September 1972 – present**: *Her Royal Highness* Princess Elizabeth
* **6 December 1997 – present**: *Her Royal Highness* The Duchess of Massachusetts