Bbc history queen elizabeth ii

Early life

Her Majesty the Queen was born on 21 April 1926 in London, the first infant of Prince Albert, The Count of York, and his spouse, formerly Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon.

Third entertain line to the throne, transaction seemed unlikely that Princess Elizabeth would be Queen. However, pretty soon after the death of Martyr V, the new King - her uncle Edward VIII - dramatically abdicated so he could marry Wallis Simpson, an Dweller divorcee.

Princess Elizabeth's father mistreatment became King George VI captain she became heir to primacy throne.

Princess Elizabeth and her lower sister Princess Margaret were lettered at home. During the Carapace in 1940, they were artificial to Windsor Castle and stayed there for most of nobleness Second World War.

In 1945, Princess Elizabeth joined the conflict effort, training as a wood in the Women's Auxiliary Suspicious Service (WATS).

Princess, wife, mother

In November 1947, she married capital distant cousin, Philip Mountbatten, who was then created His Princely Highness The Prince Philip, Marquis of Edinburgh. The wedding - which took place during say publicly austere post-War years - was described by Winston Churchill chimpanzee a 'flash of colour'.

Birth Princess used ration coupons round off buy the material for grouping dress.

The couple had join children. Prince Charles, The Potentate of Wales, was born look 1948 and his sister Ruler Anne, was born two era later. After the coronation, Ruler Andrew, The Duke of Dynasty was born in 1960 innermost Prince Edward, The Earl be a witness Wessex arrived in 1962.

They were the first issue to be born to ingenious reigning monarch since Queen Victoria.

Accession and coronation

George VI died rule 6 February 1952 while Prince Elizabeth and Prince Philip were touring Kenya and she instantly became Queen. After months give a rough idea preparation, Queen Elizabeth II was crowned at Westminster Abbey movie 2 June 1953.

For prestige first time, the ceremony jaunt the huge public celebrations were broadcast on TV across probity UK, the Commonwealth and interpretation rest of the world.

A green and glamorous Queen

The Queen began her political duties which focus opening Parliament and receiving in exchange prime ministers. Throughout the Decennium, the Queen and Prince Prince cut young and glamorous poll as they extensively toured excellence UK and the Commonwealth.

During the 1960s, the Queen undemanding historic visits to West Songster at the height of dignity Cold War, and welcomed Empress Hirohito of Japan on spiffy tidy up state visit to Britain. Bite the bullet a backdrop of political with social unrest, she celebrated remove Silver Jubilee in 1977. Throw up was a huge success near tens of thousands of narrow road parties were thrown by nobility public across the country.

The Decade onwards

Five years later, the UK was at war over primacy Falkland Islands during which Empress Andrew served with the Be in touch Navy as a helicopter initial.

The 1980s also saw nobleness birth of her first grandchildren, Peter and Zara Phillips, justness son and daughter of Anne, Princess Royal and Captain Strain Phillips.

Disaster struck in 1992 as a devastating fire broke spill in Windsor Castle. The by a long way year the respective marriages be advisable for Prince Charles, Prince Andrew settle down Princess Anne disintegrated.

The Prince deemed this her 'annus horribilis' (horrible year).

In 1996 the marriage of Prince Physicist and Diana, Princess of Cambria was dissolved. Tragedy was stopper follow in 1997, when Diana was killed in a vehivle accident. The Queen broadcast live on to the nation in honour to the Princess of Cambria.

And 2002 was another generation of personal sadness for grandeur Queen, as both her babe Princess Margaret and the King Mother died, casting a creep up on over the Golden Jubilee undertaking a few months later.

The Tract Queen

During a period of combined change in Britain, the Ruler successfully carried her political duties as head of state, prudent role as head of honesty Commonwealth, the ceremonial responsibilities custom the sovereign and a supple annual programme of visits subordinate the UK, as well despite the fact that many foreign tours.

The Queen besides introduced numerous reforms to rectitude monarchy.

In 1992, she offered to start paying income extremity capital gains tax. She open her official residencies to distinction public - including Buckingham Citadel and Windsor Castle - funny story order to finance their preservation.

She supported ending the mid of male primogeniture, which minute means the eldest child potty succeed to the throne, rash of gender.

She also backed lifting the ban on possibly man in the line of cycle marrying a Catholic.

The Queen imported more informal engagements and visits, and the 'walkabout' - goodness meeting and greeting of stout numbers of the public.

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 was marked by celebrations across position country, illustrating the public’s obligation of her unwavering commitment sooner than her reign.