Elizabeth II
At 2:40 am on the 21st of April 1926, a baby girl named Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born at 17 Bruton Street in Mayfair. Her father was Prince Albert, Duke of York, and her mother was Elizabeth, Duchess of York. She was the first child of this couple, though her birth did not immediately place her on the throne. At that time, her uncle Edward, Prince of Wales, stood ahead of her father in line to inherit the crown. The public interest in her arrival was significant, yet few expected she would ever become queen.
Her grandfather King George V reigned during her early years, and he affectionately called her Grandpa England. Regular visits from the young princess during his serious illness in 1929 reportedly raised his spirits and aided his recovery. When her grandfather died in 1936, her uncle succeeded as Edward VIII. Later that same year, Edward abdicated after proposing marriage to Wallis Simpson, an American socialite who had been divorced twice. This constitutional crisis meant her father became king, taking the regnal name George VI.
Since Elizabeth had no brothers, she became heir presumptive under the male-preference primogeniture rules of the era. If her parents had subsequently had a son, he would have taken precedence over her. She received private tuition in constitutional history from Henry Marten, Vice-Provost of Eton College. A Girl Guides company known as the 1st Buckingham Palace Company formed specifically so she could socialize with girls her age. Her sole sibling, Princess Margaret, arrived in 1930, and both were cared for by their nanny Clara Knight.
In September 1939, Britain entered the Second World War, and plans emerged to evacuate the princesses to Canada. Their mother rejected this idea, declaring that the children would not go without her. The princesses stayed at Balmoral Castle until Christmas 1939 before moving to Sandringham House. From February to May 1940, they lived at Royal Lodge, Windsor, then moved to Windsor Castle where they resided for most of the next five years. At Windsor, the princesses staged pantomimes at Christmas to raise funds for the Queen's Wool Fund.
In 1940, the 14-year-old Elizabeth made her first radio broadcast during the BBC's Children's Hour. She addressed other children who had been evacuated from cities, stating that everyone was trying to do all they could to help sailors, soldiers, and airmen. In 1945, she trained as a driver and mechanic in the Auxiliary Territorial Service, receiving service number 230873. Five months later, she earned the rank of honorary junior commander. On Victory in Europe Day, she and Margaret mingled incognito with celebrating crowds in London streets.
Elizabeth met Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark in 1934 and again in 1937. They exchanged letters after meeting for the third time at the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth in July 1939. Though only 13 when she fell in love with him, she was 21 when their engagement was officially announced on the 9th of July 1947. Before marriage, Philip renounced his Greek and Danish titles and adopted the surname Mountbatten. They married on the 20th of November 1947 at Westminster Abbey, receiving 2,500 wedding gifts from around the world.
On the 6th of February 1952, Elizabeth and Philip had just returned to Sagana Lodge in Kenya after staying at Treetops Hotel. Word arrived that her father had died, making her queen of seven independent Commonwealth countries including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon. She chose to retain Elizabeth as her regnal name, becoming Elizabeth II. The numeral offended some Scots since she was the first Elizabeth to rule in Scotland.
Elizabeth issued a declaration on the 9th of April 1952 confirming the royal house would continue as Windsor rather than adopting her husband's name. Lord Mountbatten had advocated for House of Mountbatten, while Philip suggested House of Edinburgh. Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Queen Mary favored retaining Windsor. In 1960, the surname Mountbatten-Windsor was adopted for Philip and Elizabeth's male-line descendants without royal titles. Her coronation ceremony took place on the 2nd of June 1953 at Westminster Abbey, televised for the first time except for the anointing and communion.
Her coronation gown featured floral emblems of Commonwealth countries embroidered by Norman Hartnell. Despite Queen Mary's death on the 24th of March 1953, the coronation proceeded as planned per Mary's request. During preparations, Princess Margaret wished to marry Peter Townsend, a divorcé 16 years her senior. Elizabeth asked them to wait a year, hoping the affair would peter out. Senior politicians opposed the match, and the Church of England did not permit remarriage after divorce. Margaret eventually abandoned plans with Townsend.
From Elizabeth's birth onwards, the British Empire transformed into the Commonwealth of Nations. By 1952, her role as head of multiple independent states was already established. In 1953, she and Philip embarked on a seven-month round-the-world tour visiting 13 countries. She became the first reigning monarch of Australia and New Zealand to visit those nations. Crowds were immense during the tour; three-quarters of Australia's population estimated to have seen her.
In the 1960s and 1970s, more than 20 countries gained independence from Britain as part of decolonization. In 1965, Rhodesian prime minister Ian Smith unilaterally declared independence while Elizabeth remained Queen of Rhodesia. Although she formally dismissed him and international sanctions applied, his regime survived over a decade. As Britain's ties weakened, the government sought entry to the European Community, achieving this goal in 1973. Elizabeth toured Yugoslavia in October 1972, becoming the first British monarch to visit a communist country.
She received President Josip Broz Tito at Belgrade airport where thousands greeted her. Her visits included Ghana in 1961 despite fears for safety since host Kwame Nkrumah faced assassination attempts. Harold Macmillan wrote that she had the heart and stomach of a man and loved her duty. Before touring Quebec in 1964, press reported extremists within separatist movements plotted her assassination. No attempt occurred, but riots broke out in Montreal where her calmness and courage were noted.
When Prime Minister Anthony Eden resigned in 1956 after the Suez Crisis, Elizabeth appointed Harold Macmillan following advice from Lord Salisbury and Lord Kilmuir. The crisis led to major personal criticism of Elizabeth in 1957 when Lord Altrincham accused her of being out of touch in a magazine he edited. Six years later, Macmillan advised her to appoint Alec Douglas-Home as prime minister. In 1965, Conservatives adopted formal mechanisms for electing leaders, relieving the Queen of involvement.
In February 1974, Prime Minister Edward Heath called a general election mid-tour requiring her return to Britain. The result was a hung parliament where Heath's Conservatives could stay if forming a coalition with Liberals. When discussions failed, Heath resigned and Elizabeth asked Labour Leader Harold Wilson to form a government. A year later during the 1975 Australian constitutional crisis, Governor-General Sir John Kerr dismissed Gough Whitlam after Senate rejected budget proposals. Speaker Gordon Scholes appealed to Elizabeth to reverse Kerr's decision; she declined citing constitutional reservations.
Elizabeth toured Canada in 1957 opening Parliament there as first monarch to do so. She addressed UN General Assembly on behalf of Commonwealth that same year. By 1980 Canadian politicians found her better informed than British bureaucrats regarding constitution patriation. Pierre Trudeau reportedly seemed disappointing to her though she remained well-informed about Canadian affairs.
During the 1981 Trooping the Colour ceremony, six shots fired at close range from horseback proved blanks. The 17-year-old assailant Marcus Sarjeant received five years prison before release after three. That October another attack occurred in Dunedin New Zealand when Christopher John Lewis fired a .22 rifle from fifth floor but missed. He served three years for unlawful possession instead of attempted murder charges. Two years into his sentence he tried escaping psychiatric hospital intending to assassinate Charles visiting with Diana and William.
In November 1992 Elizabeth called it an annus horribilis during Ruby Jubilee speech marking 40 years since accession. Republican feeling rose due to press estimates contradicting Palace claims plus reports of affairs among extended family. Her second son Andrew separated from Sarah in March while daughter Anne divorced Mark Phillips in April. Angry demonstrators threw eggs at her during Germany visit in October and Windsor Castle fire broke out in November. She gave unusually personal speech suggesting criticism might be done with humor gentleness and understanding.
Diana died in car crash Paris August 1997 one year after divorce. Elizabeth shielded grandsons William and Harry at Balmoral where they grieved privately. Five days later royal silence caused public dismay though she returned London addressing nation live television broadcast September 5 expressing admiration for Diana as grandmother. Much hostility evaporated following broadcast. In October 1997 state visit India included controversial Jallianwala Bagh massacre site visit where protesters chanted Killer Queen go back.
Elizabeth marked Silver Jubilee 1977 celebrating 25 years since accession with parties throughout Commonwealth coinciding with national tours. Crowds genuinely enthusiastic despite negative press coverage Princess Margaret separation from Lord Snowdon. Golden Jubilee 2002 followed sister's February death and mother's March death yet media speculated success or failure. One million people attended each day three-day main celebration London enthusiasm greater than journalists anticipated. Street parties commemorative events monuments named honor occasion occurred across realms beginning Jamaica February tour.
Diamond Jubilee 2012 celebrated 60 years since accession with extensive UK tour while children grandchildren embarked Commonwealth state tours behalf. Beacons lit worldwide June 4. December 18 Queen became first British sovereign attend peacetime Cabinet meeting since George III 1781. She opened Montreal Summer Olympics 1976 then London 2012 making her first head state open two Olympic Games two countries. Short film portrayed herself alongside Daniel Craig James Bond earning honorary BAFTA the 4th of April 2013 called most memorable Bond girl yet.
Platinum Jubilee began the 6th of February 2022 marking 70 years since accession. Elizabeth renewed commitment lifetime public service originally made 1947. Later month fell ill COVID-19 exhibiting mild cold-like symptoms recovered end month. Present thanksgiving service husband Westminster Abbey March 29 unable attend annual Commonwealth Day service Royal Maundy service April due episodic mobility problems. Made surprise visit Paddington Station officially opened Elizabeth line named honor.
On the 8th of September 2022 Buckingham Palace stated doctors concerned Her Majesty's health recommended remaining under medical supervision at Balmoral. Immediate family rushed to Scotland where she died peacefully at 3:10 pm aged 96. Death announced public 6:30 pm setting Operation London Bridge and Operation Unicorn in motion since death occurred Scotland. First monarch die Scotland since James V 1542. Cause recorded old age though former Prime Minister Boris Johnson biographer Gyles Brandreth claimed suffering bone marrow cancer multiple myeloma form.
Coffin carried Royal Mile procession St Giles' Cathedral Crown Scotland placed upon it lay rest cathedral 24 hours guarded Royal Company Archers around 33,000 people filed past. Flown RAF Northolt west London continuing journey road Buckingham Palace. Taken military procession Westminster Hall body lie state four days guarded Sovereign Bodyguard Household Division estimated 250,000 members public filed past politicians other public figures. Children held vigil coffin next day eight grandchildren did same.
State funeral held Westminster Abbey September 19 first time monarch service there since George II 1760. More than million people lined streets central London declared holiday several Commonwealth countries. Windsor final procession involving 1,000 military personnel witnessed 97,000 people. Fell pony two royal corgis stood side procession. Committal service St George's Chapel Windsor Castle body interred husband Philip King George VI Memorial Chapel later same day private ceremony attended closest family members.
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Common questions
When was Elizabeth II born and where did she arrive into the world?
Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born at 2:40 am on the 21st of April 1926 at 17 Bruton Street in Mayfair. Her father was Prince Albert, Duke of York, and her mother was Elizabeth, Duchess of York.
What year did Elizabeth II become queen and what event triggered her accession to the throne?
Elizabeth became queen on the 6th of February 1952 after her father King George VI died while she was returning from Kenya. She immediately became queen of seven independent Commonwealth countries including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon.
Who married Elizabeth II and when did their wedding take place at Westminster Abbey?
Elizabeth married Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark on the 20th of November 1947 at Westminster Abbey. Before marriage Philip renounced his Greek and Danish titles and adopted the surname Mountbatten.
How long did Elizabeth II reign as monarch before her death in Scotland?
Elizabeth II reigned for 70 years until she died peacefully at 3:10 pm on the 8th of September 2022 aged 96. She was the first British monarch to die in Scotland since James V in 1542.
When did Elizabeth II hold her coronation ceremony and which year marked her Platinum Jubilee?
Her coronation ceremony took place on the 2nd of June 1953 at Westminster Abbey and was televised for the first time except for the anointing and communion. The Platinum Jubilee began the 6th of February 2022 marking 70 years since her accession.