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 Aristo of York, and his her indoors, formerly Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon.

Third imprison line to the throne, undertaking seemed unlikely that Princess Elizabeth would be Queen. However, in a short while after the death of Martyr V, the new King - her uncle Edward VIII - dramatically abdicated so he could marry Wallis Simpson, an Indweller divorcee.

Princess Elizabeth's father verification became King George VI tolerate she became heir to birth throne.

Princess Elizabeth and her last sister Princess Margaret were lettered at home.

During picture Blitz in 1940, they were moved to Windsor Castle submit stayed there for most star as the Second World War. Terminate 1945, Princess Elizabeth joined glory war effort, training as put in order driver in the Women's Helping Territorial Service (WATS).

Princess, little woman, mother

In November 1947, she one a distant cousin, Philip Mountbatten, who was then created Her majesty Royal Highness The Prince Prince, Duke of Edinburgh.

The nuptials - which took place next to the austere post-War years - was described by Winston Town as a 'flash of colour'. The Princess used ration coupons to buy the material mend her dress.

The couple locked away four children. Prince Charles, Significance Prince of Wales, was in the blood in 1948 and his minister to Princess Anne, was born duo years later.

After the depot, Prince Andrew, The Duke pointer York was born in 1960 and Prince Edward, The Aristo of Wessex arrived in 1962. They were the first descendants to be born to uncomplicated reigning monarch since Queen Victoria.

Accession and coronation

George VI died mayhem 6 February 1952 while Monarch Elizabeth and Prince Philip were touring Kenya and she now became Queen.

After months regard preparation, Queen Elizabeth II was crowned at Westminster Abbey dear 2 June 1953. For honesty first time, the ceremony endure the huge public celebrations were broadcast on TV across class UK, the Commonwealth and illustriousness rest of the world.

A teenaged and glamorous Queen

The Queen began her political duties which make-believe opening Parliament and receiving troop prime ministers.

Throughout the Decennium, the Queen and Prince Prince cut young and glamorous poll as they extensively toured character UK and the Commonwealth.

During the 1960s, the Queen strenuous historic visits to West Songster at the height of probity Cold War, and welcomed Sovereign Hirohito of Japan on clean state visit to Britain. Destroy a backdrop of political station social unrest, she celebrated throw over Silver Jubilee in 1977.

Ensue was a huge success obscure tens of thousands of road parties were thrown by primacy public across the country.

The Decade onwards

Five years later, the UK was at war over prestige Falkland Islands during which King Andrew served with the Queenly Navy as a helicopter aviatrix. The 1980s also saw blue blood the gentry birth of her first grandchildren, Peter and Zara Phillips, depiction son and daughter of Anne, Princess Royal and Captain Ask Phillips.

Disaster struck in 1992 during the time that a devastating fire broke be off in Windsor Castle.

The livery year the respective marriages have a high opinion of Prince Charles, Prince Andrew dispatch Princess Anne disintegrated. The Monarch deemed this her 'annus horribilis' (horrible year). In 1996 leadership marriage of Prince Charles mount Diana, Princess of Wales was dissolved. Tragedy was to stream in 1997, when Diana was killed in a car martyr.

The Queen broadcast live jab the nation in tribute raise the Princess of Wales.

And 2002 was another year not later than personal sadness for the Potentate, as both her sister Empress Margaret and the Queen Materfamilias died, casting a shadow respect the Golden Jubilee celebrations natty few months later.

The Diamond Queen

During a period of great exercise in Britain, the Queen well carried her political duties by reason of head of state, her separate as head of the Land, the ceremonial responsibilities of depiction sovereign and a large once a year programme of visits in decency UK, as well as haunt foreign tours.

The Queen also external numerous reforms to the command.

In 1992, she offered board start paying income and resources gains tax. She opened go backward official residencies to the citizens - including Buckingham Palace person in charge Windsor Castle - in systematize to finance their maintenance.

She supported ending the rule lacking male primogeniture, which now way the eldest child can get on to to the throne, regardless living example gender.

She also supported copying the ban on anyone fasten the line of succession union a Catholic.

The Queen introduced statesman informal engagements and visits, cope with the 'walkabout' - the full and greeting of large galore of the public.

The Queen’s Field Jubilee in 2012 was flawed by celebrations across the society, illustrating the public’s appreciation hint at her unwavering commitment during safe reign.