Queen Elizabeth II

The Queens early life

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. At the time she stood third in line of succession to the throne after Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII), and her father, The Duke of York. But it was not expected that her father would become King, or that she would become Queen.

The Duke and Duchess of York with Princess Elizabeth

The Queens early life

The Princess was christened Elizabeth Alexandra Mary in the private chapel at Buckingham Palace. She was named after her mother, while her two middle names are those of her paternal great-grandmother, Queen Alexandra, and paternal grandmother, Queen Mary.

The Princess's early years were spent at 145 Piccadilly, the London house taken by her parents shortly after her birth, and at White Lodge in Richmond Park.
She also spent time at the country homes of her paternal grandparents, King George V and Queen Mary, and her mother's parents, the Earl and Countess of Strathmore. In 1930, Princess Elizabeth gained a sister, with the birth of Princess Margaret Rose. The family of four was very close.

The Queens early life

When she was six years old, her parents took over Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park as their own country home.
Princess Elizabeth's quiet family life came to an end in 1936, when her grandfather,

King George V, died. His eldest son came to

the throne as King Edward VIII, but, before the end of the year, King Edward VIII had decided to give up the throne in order to marry the woman he loved, Mrs Wallis Simpson.

King Edward VIII abdication speech 1939

http://youtu.be/re6G1hTlrEo

The Queens early life

Upon his abdication, Princess Elizabeth's father acceded to the throne as King George VI, and in 1937 the two Princesses attended their parents' coronation in Westminster Abbey. Princess Elizabeth was now first in line to the throne, and a figure of even more intense public interest.

Princess Elizabeth BBC Children's Hour Broadcast 1940

http://youtu.be/VJI9LPFQth4

Education
Princess Elizabeth was educated at home with Princess Margaret,
her younger sister. After her father succeeded to the throne in 1936 and she became heir presumptive, she started to study constitutional history and law as preparation for her future role. Princess Elizabeth also studied art and music, learned to ride, and became a strong swimmer. She won the Children's Challenge Shield at London's Bath Club when she was thirteen. Princess Elizabeth enrolled as a Girl Guide when she was eleven, and later became a Sea Ranger.

Education
In 1940, at the height of the Blitz, the young Princesses were moved for their safety to Windsor Castle, where they spent most of the war years. It was a time of austerity and anxiety for the whole country, including the Royal Family. But at Christmas time there was a period of light relief when the young Princesses put on pantomimes with the children of members of staff for the enjoyment of her family and

employees of the Royal Household.

Wedding Day
In November 1947, she married Philip Mountbatten (formerly Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark), who

was created duke of Edinburgh.

Wedding Day 1947

The Queens Family

Prince Charles, born in 1948.

Princess Anne born in 1950

The Queens Family

Prince Andrew born in 1960

Prince Edward born in 1964

Coronation Day 1947

In 1952, King George VI's illness forced

him to abandon his proposed visit to

Australia and New Zealand. The Princess, accompanied by Prince Philip, took his place. On her Wednesday, father's 6 February and her 1952, own

Princess Elizabeth received the news of death accession to the throne, while staying in

a remote part of Kenya.

The tour had to be abandoned, and the young Princess flew back to Britain as Queen. She was greeted by Prime Minister Winston Churchill and other officials at the airport.

The Coronation took place in Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953. It was a solemn ceremony conducted by Dr Geoffrey Fisher, Archbishop of Canterbury.
Television brought home to hundreds of thousands of people around the Commonwealth the splendour and significance of the Coronation in a way never before possible.

Coronation Day 1947

Family tree

http://www.britroyals.com/windsor.htm

Present Day
The Queen is now 83 years.

The Queen has now reigned for 57 years and 10 months.

The Queen's Role Although the Queen is no longer responsible for governing the country, she carries out a great many important tasks on behalf of the nation. Head of State As Head of State, the Queen goes on official State visits abroad. She also invites other world leaders to come to the United Kingdom. During their visit, Heads of State usually stay at Buckingham Palace, or sometimes at Windsor Castle or Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. Head of the Armed Forces The Queen is also the Head of the Armed Forces. She is the only person who can declare when the country is at war and when war is over, although she must take advice from her government first. Head of the Church of England The Queen is Head of the Church of England - a position that all British monarchs have held since it was founded by Henry VIII in the 1530s. The Queen appoints archbishops and bishops on the advice of the Prime Minister. The spiritual leader of the Church of England is the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Queens Role

Government Duties Every day 'red boxes' are delivered to the Queen's desk full of documents and reports from the government ministers and Commonwealth officials. They must all be read and, if necessary, signed by the Queen. Represents the Nation The Queen represents the nation at times of great celebration or sorrow. One example of this is Remembrance Day ceremony at the Cenotaph monument in Whitehall. The Queen lays a wreath there each year to honour the members of the armed forces who have died fighting for their country. Royal Garden Parties At least three Royal Garden Parties are held at Buckingham Palace each year and about 8,000 guests attend each one. Visits Alongside her other duties the Queen spends a huge amount of time travelling around the country visiting hospitals, schools, factories and other places and organisations.

Why does Queen Elizabeth have two birthdays?

The Queen is very lucky because she has two birthdays, one in April and one in June. When is the Queen's real birthday? The Queen's actual birthday is on 21 April. When does the Queen have her public and official birthday? It has long been customary to celebrate the Sovereigns birthday publicly on a day during the summer, when better weather is more likely. Since 1805, the Sovereigns 'official' summer birthday has been marked by the Trooping the Colour ceremony, normally held on the second Saturday in June. It is also marked by the flying of the Union flag on government buildings, a 42-gun salute and the publication of the birthday honours list. No particular ceremony is held on The Queen's true birthday, although the Union Flag is flown on public buildings.

Where does the Queen live?

The Queen does not just have one house she has many houses.

Windsor Castle Buckingham Palace

Balmoral Castle

Sandringham House