10 questions · Society & Everyday
Elizabeth is born a princess in 1926, though she is not originally destined for the throne. That changes in 1936, when her uncle Edward VIII abdicates to marry a divorced American: suddenly Elizabeth's father becomes king and little "Lilibet" the heir. During the Second World War she serves in the army as a young woman, learning to repair lorries, and in 1947 she marries Prince Philip. In 1952 her father dies, and at just 25 Elizabeth becomes queen. Her coronation in 1953 is the first British coronation to be televised: a symbol of the dawn of a new media age. For more than seven decades she will remain the public face of Britain and the Commonwealth. As head of state, Elizabeth witnesses a profound transformation of the world: the end of the British Empire, the Cold War, the digital age. Fifteen British prime ministers (from Winston Churchill into the 2020s) serve during her reign. As a constitutional monarch she does not govern herself but stands for continuity, duty and restraint; she always keeps her own political views to herself. In 2022 Elizabeth II dies at 96: after more than 70 years on the throne, the longest-reigning monarch in British history. Her son Charles succeeds her as king. For millions of people worldwide she was a constant across generations; a queen who spanned almost an entire era.
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longest-reigning British monarch
She acceded to the throne in 1952 and reigned until her death in 2022.
💡 Did you know? With over 70 years on the throne, Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning monarch in British history.
25 years old
She became queen after the death of her father, King George VI.
💡 Did you know? Elizabeth learned of her father's death and her accession while travelling in Kenya: overnight, at 25, she became queen.
first televised coronation
Her 1953 coronation was the first ever televised: millions bought a television set specially for it.
💡 Did you know? Millions of people bought a television specially for the occasion.
Prince Philip
The two married in 1947 and were married for over 70 years.
💡 Did you know? Her marriage to Prince Philip lasted 73 years, until his death in 2021: the longest of any British royal couple.
15 prime ministers
Her first prime minister was Winston Churchill.
💡 Did you know? From Winston Churchill to Liz Truss, Elizabeth II saw 15 British prime ministers during her reign.
ceremonial (constitutional) monarch
As a constitutional monarch Elizabeth did not govern herself but represented the state and stayed pointedly above party politics.
💡 Did you know? She always kept her own political views to herself.
Commonwealth
She was head of state of Britain and other Commonwealth countries.
💡 Did you know? As head of the Commonwealth, Elizabeth II linked dozens of states and about a third of the world's population.
2022; succeeded by King Charles III
For many people she was a constant across generations.
💡 Did you know? Elizabeth II died in 2022 at 96; her son succeeded her as King Charles III.
Foto: Donald McKague · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II (1926 to 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom from 1952 to 2022 and the longest-reigning British monarch.
💡 Did you know? In her 70 years on the throne Elizabeth II remained a rock of constancy, while the world, technology and society changed utterly.
1926
Born: 21 April 1926 in London
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