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| Young Queen Elizabeth |
Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born on Wednesday, April 26th 1926 in London. She was the eldest daughter of Prince Albert, Duke of York(later became King George VI) and his wife Elizabeth, Duchess of York(later became Queen Elizabeth). Her only sibling was Princess Margaret who was born on August 21st 1930. Both Elizabeth and Margaret were both educated privately
She was born third in line to the throne. It was not until her uncle Edward VIII abdicated in 1936 that she became heiress presumptive of the throne. When her father became King she inherited the title Her Royal Highness the Princess Elizabeth.
World War II started in September 1939. Until Christmas 1939, Elizabeth and Margaret stayed at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. They then moved onto Sandringham House. It was later suggested that they moved to Canada but Queen Elizabeth insisted that "they wont go without me, I won't leave the King. And the King will never leave". For the remainder of the war the girls stayed in Windsor Castle as their parents remained in Buckingham Palace.
Her first address was at the age of 14 when she spoke on BBC Children's hour. At the age of 16 the Princess began the first of her royal duties.
The Princess met Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark in 1934. It would not be for some time until they became engaged in in 1946. Prince Philip asked the King for his daughter's hand in marriage. The King granted permission for the engagement. The engagement was officially announced on July 9th, 1947. They were married on November 20th 1947 in Westminster Abbey.
After the war the Kings health deteriorated. Some say his health decline was due to the war. The Princess took on many of his duties. While Princess Elizabeth and Prince Phillip were on a royal tour of Australia and New Zealand by way on Kenya news reached of the Kings death. The Princess was now Queen. She was asked what her regal name would be where she simply replied "Elizabeth of course". The new Queen returned to London where she was proclaimed Queen.
Under normal tradition there was a period of mourning for the deceased King. Over 18 months later on June 3rd 1953 she was formally crowned Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and commonwealth nations. It was the first time TV was allowed to present a coronation.
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh have four children: Prince Charles(Prince of Wales and heir to the throne), Princess Anne(The Princess Royal) Prince Andrew(Duke of York) and Prince Edward(Earl of Wessex)
In 1977 Her Majesty celebrated her Silver Jubilee(25 years on the throne). Many celebrations took place through out the Kingdom. Later in 1981 six shots were fired at her from close range while on horseback. IT was discovered that three shots were blank. In 1992(40th year of her reign) the Queen declared it an annus horribilis (horrible year) In this year Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales separated. Fire also damaged much of Windsor Castle.
In 2002 her sister Margaret died in February aged 71. Six weeks later her mother Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother died aged 101. It is this year she celebrated the 50th year of her ascension to the throne. This year (2012) she celebrates 60 years on the throne. Currently she is Britain's second longest reigning monarch. The Queen must surpass Queen Victoria who reigned for 63 years and 216 days. Queen Elizabeth could become the longest reigning monarch on September 10th 2015.
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| The Diamond Queen |
Other facts on Queen Elizabeth II:
- First Prime Minister: Sir Winston Churchill
- First US President: Dwight D. Eisenhower
- First Pope: HH Pope Pius XVII
- Her nickname was "Lilibet"
- She does not require a passport or driving licence
- She has visited over 129 countries
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