Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom

Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom

Elizabeth Alexandra Mary (Queen Elizabeth II) was the queen with the longest reign in the history of the British monarchy, was at the head of the Royal House for 70 years. She was the leading political figure and supreme ruler of the Church of England. She never resigned and died on September 8, 2022 at the age of 96.

 

Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II

The life of Queen Elizabeth II


  • Known as: Queen Elizabeth II
  • Full name: Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor
  • Date of birth: April 21 of 1926 at Mayfair, London, United Kingdom
  • Father: Albert Frederick Arthur George Windsor, known as King George VI
  • Mother: Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon, known as The Queen Mother
  • House: Royal House of Windsor
  • Ascended the throne: February 6 of 1952 aged 25 years
  • Crowned: June 2 of 1953 in Westminster Abbey
  • Married to: Philip Mountbatten, known as Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
  • Sons: Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward
  • Current Age: 95 years old
  • Reigning time: 70 years

Queen Elizabeth II Biography


Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born in London on 21 April 1926. At the time, her chances of assuming the throne were slim, as her father was the youngest son of King George V.

But in 1936, her uncle, King Edward VIII, abdicated the throne to marry an American divorcee, Wallis Simpson. As a result, her father became King George VI, and ‘Lilibet’, as she was known in the family, became heir to the throne of the United Kingdom at the age of 10.

 

 

Childhood and Education


The princess received a private education which was heavily influenced by her mother, who instilled in her a devout Christian faith, as well as a keen understanding of the demands of royalty.

Her private tutors emphasised history and law, but she also studied music and learned to speak French.

She trained as a Girl Scout and developed a passion for horses.

 

 

Elizabeth’s Coronation


At the age of 16 she took up her first official crown duties. During World War II she served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service, and by a reform of the Regency Act became a Councillor of State when she came of age. On the death of George VI in 1952, she assumed the throne while in Kenya with her husband.

Queen Elizabeth II’s reign since 1952 has been through a period of occasionally turbulent change. Britain’s position in the world and its economy have been transformed, and many traditional institutions have suffered in the process.

Queen Elizabeth II Coronation 1952
Queen Elizabeth II sits on her throne, crown on her head, after her coronation at Westminster Abbey in London, 2 June 1953. Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Throughout, the journey of the Crown has been shaped by the Queen herself. In a continuing display of steadfast devotion to service and calm pragmatism, the Queen has met every national demand and won the appreciation and respect of her people.

As hereditary head of state of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and head of the Commonwealth, she has a range of symbolic and formal functions and duties, but no executive powers.

She is the embodiment of national identity and, along with her family, carries out countless protocol acts that mark events in communities and provide valuable patronage to a host of charities.

 

 

Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth


Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth
Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth over the years.

The Queen is also supported by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, whom she married on 20 November 1947, and is the head of a large family. They met in 1934 while during the wedding of Princess Marina and Prince George.

The relationship between Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip was one of permanent love, affection, respect and admiration.

The royal couple’s firstborn son and current successor to the throne is Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, who was born on 14 November 1948. Then Princess Anne was born on 15 August 1950 at the royal residence in London, Clarence House.

A decade later, on 19 February 1960, Elizabeth had her third child, known as Prince Andrew, Duke of York. The birth of her last son, Prince Edward, came on 10 March 1964. He is said to be the favourite son of the Queen and Prince Philip.

 

 

Longest reigning Queen


Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II Picture at Platinum Jubilee year
Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II Picture at Platinum Jubilee year

In September 2015, Elizabeth surpassed the record of 63 years and 216 days on the throne set by Queen Victoria (her great-great-grandmother) to become the longest-reigning British monarch in history.

In February 2022, Elizabeth celebrated her Platinum Jubilee, commemorating seven decades of dedicated service to the Commonwealth.

The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Emblem
This Emblem was developed and used throughout the UK on all types of artwork to publicise The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Her Majesty is seen with one of her famous red boxes. Over the past 70 years, The Queen has received daily papers from her Private Secretaries, in person or via a red despatch box. The boxes hold documents updating Her Majesty on events in Parliament as well as overseas and Commonwealth matters, and State papers requiring her signature and Royal assent.

 

 

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