Creating a 1,152-Year British Royal Family Tree: A Design and Research Journey

When King Charles III was crowned, I had the unique opportunity to create a royal family tree for The Sun, spanning an incredible 1,152 years of British history. This ambitious project took three months to complete and was one of the most challenging yet rewarding graphics I’ve ever worked on. In this post, I’ll share the research, design process, and challenges behind creating a visual representation of the British monarchy’s long and intricate lineage.

Research: Tracing Over a Millennium of History

Building a family tree of this scale required meticulous research. I gathered data from a combination of historical records, genealogical databases, and expert sources to ensure accuracy.

Design: Balancing Clarity and Complexity

With such an extensive timeline, structuring the family tree visually was a major challenge. My goal was to present a clear, engaging, and readable layout despite the complexity of interwoven royal connections.

Hierarchy and Flow

I used a tiered structure to differentiate dynasties, ensuring that major shifts—such as the Norman Conquest and the rise of the Tudors—were visually distinct.
A color-coded system helped highlight different royal houses, making it easier for readers to follow transitions between ruling families.
Spacing and alignment were crucial. With over 1,000 years of history, avoiding clutter while maintaining readability required strategic positioning of names and connections.

Reflections and Takeaways

This project was both an artistic and intellectual challenge. I learned how to distill vast amounts of historical data into a visually digestible format while ensuring accuracy and clarity. The response from readers was overwhelmingly positive, with many appreciating how the design made centuries of royal history more accessible.

Looking back, I’d love to explore interactive or digital adaptations of the tree, allowing users to explore different lineages dynamically. For now, I’m proud of how this project brought British royal history to life through visual storytelling.