Elizabeth II

The Duke and Duchess of York welcomed Elizabeth Alexandra Mary to the world on April 21, 1926. The couple later become King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.

Elizabeth lost her grandfather, King George V on January 20, 1936. King George’s first son assumed the throne as King Edward VIII; however, he abdicated in less than a year. Elizabeth’s father then became the King as King George VI. This made Elizabeth first in line to the throne.

Princess Elizabeth was selected to a Subaltern in the Auxiliary Territorial Service. This is the equivalent of a second lieutenant. She later achieved the rank of Junior Commander. Princess Elizabeth learned how to drive and became a mechanic in the army. She was now capable of driving a military truck.

Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten decided to get married on November 20, 1947. Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten was the son of Prince Andrew of Greece. He was a great-great-grandson of Queen Victoria.

Princess Elizabeth welcomed her first daughter, Princess Anne on August 15, 1950.

On February 6, 1952, King George VI died. After his death, Elizabeth became the Queen. This happened when Elizabeth was 25 years old. The news came to her while she was visiting Kenya. The news led her to cut her tour short and return home as Queen. 

Queen Elizabeth was coronated on June 2, 1953. The occasion marked the first time that television cameras were permitted inside Westminster Abbey for a state function. This led to a boom in the sales of television sets in the weeks that led up to the event.

Queen Elizabeth II embarked on a tour of the commonwealth countries with the Duke of Edinburgh (her husband).

The Queen travels to New York to address the United Nations General Assembly. She also visited Ottawa and opens Parliament on the same tour.

The Queen welcomed her third child, Prince Edward on February 19, 1960.

The Queen gave birth to Prince Edward on March 10, 1964. He was the fourth and final child of Queen Elizabeth II.

On July 1, 1969, Charles is announced as the Prince of Wales and heir to the throne.

The Queen celebrated 25 years on the throne in 1977. February 6, 1977 was the day it was celebrated in church services across the United Kingdom. The Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II was celebrated throughout the rest of that month.

The wedding ceremony o Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer happened on July 29, 1981. The ceremony was widely televised. Queen II attended the event as the mother of the groom.

For the first time in almost five centuries, the Pope visited England. In her capacity as the head of the Church of England, Queen Elizabeth II welcomes the Pope.

The year was marked “annus horribilus” because of several unfortunate events that took place in 1992. The Queen’s son Prince Andrew and his wife got separated, Princess Anne and her husband got divorced, Prince Charles separated from Diana, and a large section of Windsor Castles was destroyed by fire.

On February 6, 2002, the Queen and the entire United Kingdom celebrated her reign as queen for 50 years. Queen Elizabeth also took the opportunity to thank her people for their loyalty to the throne.

Queen Elizabeth II attended the marriage of Prince William, her grandson, to Catherine Middleton. The event was broadcasted around the world. The wedding was watched by millions.

On September 9, 2015, Queen Elizabeth II surpassed the length of Queen Victoria. She became the longest-reigning British monarch. 

On May of 2018, the Queen had cataract surgery.

After the passing of Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg, the Queen became the oldest reigning monarch in the world. 

The Queen opened Parliament with what is referred to as the Queen’s Speech. Prince Charles accompanied the Queen at this event. The Queen chose not to wear the heavy ceremonial cape or crown for the first time in her reign. 

The formal announcement of Harry and Meghan’s decision to step away from Royal duties was made on January 8, 2020. This decision meant that the couple would no longer represent the Queen.

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip relocated to Windsor Castle. 

The Queen made a broadcast to the British Commonwealth. In this broadcast, the queen called for unity as they tackle the coronavirus pandemic. 

On September 8, 2022, Buckingham Palace announced, "After additional assessment today, there is concern from the Queen's medical team regarding Her Majesty's health, advising that she continues to receive medical care. The Queen is comfortable and stays at Balmoral." Members of her immediate family quickly made their way to be with her. She passed away calmly at 15:10 BST, aged 96.