The Queen was born at 2.40am on 21 April 1926 at 17 Bruton Street in Mayfair,
London. She was the first child of The Duke and Duchess of York, who later became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. The princess was christened Elizabeth Alexandra Mary. She was names after her mother and her middle names are from her two grandmothers - Queen Alexandra and Queen Mary.
Her early years were spent at 145 Picadilly, London and also the country homes of her grandparents. In 1930 Elizabeth gained a sister With the birth of Princess Margaret Rose. The family was very close.
Queen Elizabeth was third in line for the throne so it seemed unlikely that she would be queen. However after the death of King George V, the new King - her uncle Edward VIII dramatically ebdicated so he could marry Wallis Simpson. The queens father then became King George VI and she became heir to the throne.
With the outbreak of the War II Elizabeth and her sister stayed out of London and spent their time in Windsor Castle. At the castle, she made one of the famous broadcasts. Over the radio, she spoke to reasure the children who had been evacuated from their homes and families The 14-year-old princess, showing her calm and firm personality, told them that "in the end, all will be well for God will care for us and give us victory and peace."
In 1945, Elizabeth joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service to help in the war. She trained side-by-side with other British women to be an expert driver and mechanic. While her volunteer work only lasted a few months, it offered Elizabeth a glimpse into a different, non-royal world.
Queen Elizabeth was third in line for the throne so it seemed unlikely that she would be queen. However after the death of King George V, the new King - her uncle Edward VIII dramatically ebdicated so he could marry Wallis Simpson. The queens father then became King George VI and she became heir to the throne.
With the outbreak of the War II Elizabeth and her sister stayed out of London and spent their time in Windsor Castle. At the castle, she made one of the famous broadcasts. Over the radio, she spoke to reasure the children who had been evacuated from their homes and families The 14-year-old princess, showing her calm and firm personality, told them that "in the end, all will be well for God will care for us and give us victory and peace."
In 1945, Elizabeth joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service to help in the war. She trained side-by-side with other British women to be an expert driver and mechanic. While her volunteer work only lasted a few months, it offered Elizabeth a glimpse into a different, non-royal world.
Elizabeth first met Philip Mountbatten, son of Prince Andrew of Greece, when she was only 13 and was smitten with him from the start. Distant cousins, the pair kept in touch over the years and eventually fell in love. Her father, King George VI, was hesitant about them being together. Philip had ties to the Danish and Greek royal families, but he wasnt wealthy and was a bit 'rough' in his personality. They made an unusual pair. Elizabeth was quiet and reserved while Philip was boisterous and outspoken.
At the time of their marriage in 1947, Great Britain was still recovering from the ravages of World War II. Elizabeth is said to have collected clothing coupons to get fabric for her gown. The ceremony was held at London's Westminster Abbey on November 20.
The couple wasted no time in producing a heir. Son Charles was born the following year and daughter Anne arrived in 1950
On February 6, 1952 King George VII died and Elizabeth began the responsibilities of the ruling monarch. The Queen and Prince Philip were in Kenya at the time of her father's death.
Her official coronation took place 2nd June 1953 in Westminster Abbey. And for the first time, the ceremony was broadcast on television, allowing people from across the globe to witness the event.
So much has happened over the years of The Queen's life. Television has been invented, man has walked on the moon for the first time and the Berlin Wall has been built and then razed to the ground. Her Majesty's life has seen many changes too, from fulfilling her role as Queen at the age of 25, to raising a family, to world travel on a scale so different previous monarchs.
Queen aged 2 - 1928
Here is a video of the Queens 21st birthday speech.
On the 14th November 1948 the queen gave birth the Prince Charles Philip Arthur George. Her second child Anne Elizabeth Louise born 15th August 1950
Queen Elizabeth II at present day
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