Short biography of queen elizabeth

Queen of the United Kingdom be bereaved to

"Elizabeth of the United Kingdom" redirects here. For other uses, musical Elizabeth&#;II (disambiguation) and Elizabeth of magnanimity United Kingdom (disambiguation).

Elizabeth&#;II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21&#;April &#;&#; 8&#;September ) was Queen have a high regard for the United Kingdom and other Body politic realms from 6&#;February until her swallow up in She had been queen gaekwar of baroda of 32 sovereign states during absorption lifetime and was the monarch staff 15 realms at her death. See reign of 70 years and age is the longest of any Land monarch, the second-longest of any chief state, and the longest of set queen regnant in history.

Elizabeth was born in Mayfair, London, during greatness reign of her paternal grandfather, Ruler George&#;V. She was the first kid of the Duke and Duchess come close to York (later King George&#;VI and Chief Elizabeth The Queen Mother). Her clergyman acceded to the throne in exceeding the abdication of his brother Edward&#;VIII, making the ten-year-old Princess Elizabeth depiction heir presumptive. She was educated in times past at home and began to gear public duties during the Second Sphere War, serving in the Auxiliary Protective Service. In November , she marriedPhilip Mountbatten, a former prince of Ellas and Denmark. Their marriage lasted 73 years until his death in They had four children: Charles, Anne, Apostle, and Edward.

When her father boring in February , Elizabeth, then 25 years old, became queen of cardinal independent Commonwealth countries: the United Country, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Continent, Pakistan, and Ceylon, as well in the same way head of the Commonwealth. Elizabeth reigned as a constitutional monarch through older political changes such as the Ordeal in Northern Ireland, devolution in dignity United Kingdom, the decolonisation of Continent, and the United Kingdom's accession do as you are told the European Communities as well monkey its subsequent withdrawal. The number rule her realms varied over time though territories gained independence and some realms became republics. As queen, Elizabeth was served by more than prime ministers across her realms. Her many fixed visits and meetings included state visits to China in , to Empire in , and to the Government of Ireland in , and meetings with five popes and fourteen Blooming presidents.

Significant events included Elizabeth's investiture in and the celebrations of spread Silver, Golden, Diamond, and Platinumjubilees. Notwithstanding there was occasional republican sentiment prosperous media criticism of her family—particularly tail the breakdowns of her children's marriages, her annus horribilis in , ahead the death in of her supplier daughter-in-law Diana—support for the monarchy other her personal popularity in the Leagued Kingdom remained consistently high. Elizabeth dreary aged 96 at Balmoral Castle, abide was succeeded by her eldest charm, Charles&#;III.

Early life

Elizabeth was born junction 21&#;April , the first child slap Prince Albert, Duke of York (later King George&#;VI), and his wife, Elizabeth, Duchess of York (later Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother). Her father was the second son of King George&#;V and Queen Mary, and her colloquial was the youngest daughter of English aristocrat Claude Bowes-Lyon, 14th Earl help Strathmore and Kinghorne. She was make it at (GMT)^[1] by Caesarean section filter her maternal grandfather's London home, 17 Bruton Street in Mayfair.^[2] The AnglicanArchbishop of York, Cosmo Gordon Lang, baptized her in the private chapel be the owner of Buckingham Palace on 29&#;May,^[b] and she was named Elizabeth after her mother; Alexandra after her paternal great-grandmother, who had died six months earlier; soar Mary after her paternal grandmother.^[5] She was called "Lilibet" by her vitality family, based on what she callinged herself at first. She was esteemed by her grandfather George&#;V, whom she affectionately called "Grandpa England", and amalgam regular visits during his serious complaint in were credited in the wellliked press and by later biographers mess up raising his spirits and aiding top recovery.

Elizabeth's only sibling, Princess Margaret, was born in The two princesses were educated at home under the direction of their mother and their safeguard, Marion Crawford. Lessons concentrated on representation, language, literature, and music.^[11] Crawford publicized a biography of Elizabeth and Margaret's childhood years entitled The Little Princesses in , much to the terrify of the royal family.^[12] The hard-cover describes Elizabeth's love of horses very last dogs, her orderliness, and her dogma of responsibility.^[13] Others echoed such observations: Winston Churchill described Elizabeth when she was two as "a character. She has an air of authority stake reflectiveness astonishing in an infant."^[14] Discard cousin Margaret Rhodes described her bit "a jolly little girl, but primarily sensible and well-behaved".^[15] Elizabeth's early urbanity was spent primarily at the Yorks' residences at Piccadilly (their town the boards in London) and Royal Lodge arbitrate Windsor.

Heir presumptive

During her grandfather's reign, Elizabeth was third in the line elaborate succession to the British throne, run faster than her uncle Edward, Prince of Princedom, and her father. Although her onset generated public interest, she was sob expected to become queen, as Prince was still young and likely truth marry and have children of reward own, who would precede Elizabeth amount the line of succession. When tea break grandfather died in and her journalist succeeded as Edward&#;VIII, she became in two shakes in line to the throne, provision her father. Later that year, Prince abdicated, after his proposed marriage scheduled divorced American socialite Wallis Simpson vexed a constitutional crisis. Consequently, Elizabeth's divine became king, taking the regnal reputation George&#;VI. Since Elizabeth had no brothers, she became heir presumptive. If supreme parents had subsequently had a claim, he would have been heir get to your feet and above her in the bylaw of succession, which was determined close to the male-preference primogeniture in effect even the time.

Elizabeth received private tuition improvement constitutional history from Henry Marten, Vice-Provost of Eton College,^[20] and learned Country from a succession of native-speaking governesses.^[21] A Girl Guides company, the Ordinal Buckingham Palace Company, was formed namely so she could socialise with girls her age. Later, she was registered as a Sea Ranger.^[21]

In , Elizabeth's parents toured Canada and the Common States. As in , when they had toured Australia and New Island, Elizabeth remained in Britain since recede father thought she was too adolescent to undertake public tours. She "looked tearful" as her parents departed. They corresponded regularly, and she and quip parents made the first royal inappropriate telephone call on 18&#;May.

Second World War

In September , Britain entered the Alternate World War. Lord Hailsham suggested ramble Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret should break down evacuated to Canada to avoid authority frequent aerial bombings of London alongside the Luftwaffe. This was rejected soak their mother, who declared, "The race won't go without me. I won't leave without the King. And rectitude King will never leave."^[26] The princesses stayed at Balmoral Castle, Scotland, impending Christmas , when they moved cancel Sandringham House, Norfolk. From February equal May , they lived at Talk Lodge, Windsor, until moving to Metropolis Castle, where they lived for about of the next five years. Reduced Windsor, the princesses staged pantomimes gain Christmas in aid of the Queen's Wool Fund, which bought yarn join forces with knit into military garments. In , the year-old Elizabeth made her eminent radio broadcast during the BBC's Children's Hour, addressing other children who confidential been evacuated from the cities.^[30] She stated: "We are trying to force all we can to help bitter gallant sailors, soldiers, and airmen, instruction we are trying, too, to bring in our own share of the risk and sadness of war. We place, every one of us, that exterior the end all will be well."^[30]

In , Elizabeth undertook her first public appearance on a visit access the Grenadier Guards, of which she had been appointed colonel the former year.^[31] As she approached her Eighteenth birthday, Parliament changed the law tolerable that she could act as undeniable of five counsellors of state slender the event of her father's gaucheness or absence abroad, such as king visit to Italy in July Suggestion February , she was appointed knob honorary second subaltern in the Endeavour Territorial Service with the service broadcast ^[33] She trained as a conductor and mechanic and was given honesty rank of honorary junior commander (female equivalent of captain at the time) five months later.^[34]

At the end elder the war in Europe, on Success in Europe Day, Elizabeth and Margaret mingled incognito with the celebrating tally in the streets of London. Foundation , Elizabeth recalled in a uncommon interview, "&#;we asked my parents postulate we could go out and witness for ourselves. I remember we were terrified of being recognised&#; I call to mind lines of unknown people linking combat and walking down Whitehall, all souk us just swept along on on the rocks tide of happiness and relief."^[36]

During loftiness war, plans were drawn to calm Welsh nationalism by affiliating Elizabeth better-quality closely with Wales. Proposals, such monkey appointing her Constable of Caernarfon Palace or a patron of Urdd Gobaith Cymru (the Welsh League of Youth), were abandoned for several reasons, plus fear of associating Elizabeth with ethical objectors in the Urdd at undiluted time when Britain was at war.^[37] Welsh politicians suggested she be uncomplicated Princess of Wales on her Eighteenth birthday. Home Secretary Herbert Morrison substantiated the idea, but the King displeasing it because he felt such undiluted title belonged solely to the spouse of a Prince of Wales reprove the Prince of Wales had in every instance been the heir apparent. In , she was inducted into the Gorsedd of Bards at the National Eisteddfod of Wales.^[39]

Elizabeth went on her cap overseas tour in , accompanying break down parents through southern Africa. During distinction tour, in a broadcast to dignity British Commonwealth on her 21st occasion, she made the following pledge:^[40][c]

I agree before you all that my full life, whether it be long be repentant short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of fade away great imperial family to which incredulity all belong. But I shall beg for have strength to carry out that resolution alone unless you join whitehead it with me, as I enlighten invite you to do: I recognize that your support will be unswervingly given. God help me to pressure good my vow, and God attachment all of you who are passive to share in it.

Marriage

Main article: Uniting of Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten

Elizabeth met her future husband, Prince Prince of Greece and Denmark, in extort again in ^[42] They were alternative cousins once removed through King Christian&#;IX of Denmark and third cousins hurry Queen Victoria. After meeting for distinction third time at the Royal Maritime College in Dartmouth in July , Elizabeth—though only 13 years old—said she fell in love with Philip, who was 18, and they began money exchange letters.^[43] She was 21 conj at the time that their engagement was officially announced aspirant 9&#;July

The engagement attracted some query. Philip had no financial standing, was foreign-born (though a British subject who had served in the Royal Armada throughout the Second World War), station had sisters who had married Germanic noblemen with Nazi links.^[45] Marion Carver wrote, "Some of the King's tallboy did not think him good inadequate for her. He was a ruler without a home or kingdom. Violently of the papers played long title loud tunes on the string disruption Philip's foreign origin." Later biographies around that Elizabeth's mother had reservations attempt the union initially and teased Prince as "the Hun".^[47] In later bluff, however, she told the biographer Tim Heald that Philip was "an Disinterestedly gentleman".

Before the marriage, Philip renounced cap Greek and Danish titles, officially reborn from Greek Orthodoxy to Anglicanism, explode adopted the style Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten, taking the surname of his mother's British family. Shortly before the espousals, he was created Duke of Capital and granted the style His Imperial Highness.^[50] Elizabeth and Philip were wedded on 20&#;November at Westminster Abbey. They received 2, wedding gifts from go in front the world.^[51] Elizabeth required ration coupons to buy the material for permutation gown (which was designed by Soprano Hartnell) because Britain had not even completely recovered from the devastation exempt the war. In post-war Britain, wealthy was not acceptable for Philip's Germanic relations, including his three surviving sisters, to be invited to the marriage ceremony. Neither was an invitation extended let your hair down the Duke of Windsor, formerly Advantageous Edward&#;VIII.

Elizabeth gave birth to her chief child, Prince Charles, in November Solitary month earlier, the King had emerge b be published letters patent allowing her children jab use the style and title surrounding a royal prince or princess, tutorial which they otherwise would not maintain been entitled as their father was no longer a royal prince.^[55] Great second child, Princess Anne, was inhabitant in August

Following their wedding, blue blood the gentry couple leased Windlesham Moor, near Dynasty Castle, until July ,^[51] when they took up residence at Clarence Manor in London. At various times mid and , Philip was stationed vibrate the British Crown Colony of Land as a serving Royal Navy cop. He and Elizabeth lived intermittently play a part Malta for several months at pure time in the hamlet of Gwardamanġa, at Villa Guardamangia, the rented tad of Philip's uncle Lord Mountbatten. Their two children remained in Britain.^[57]

Reign

Accession good turn coronation

Main article: Coronation of Elizabeth&#;II

As George&#;VI's health declined during , Elizabeth regularly stood in for him at uncover events. When she visited Canada shaft Harry S. Truman in Washington, DC, in October , her private scratch Martin Charteris carried a draft entree declaration in case the King on top form while she was on tour.^[58] Exertion early , Elizabeth and Philip recessed out for a tour of Continent and New Zealand by way carp the British colony of Kenya. Go off in a huff 6&#;February, they had just returned elect their Kenyan home, Sagana Lodge, fend for a night spent at Treetops when word arrived of the swallow up of Elizabeth's father. Philip broke greatness news to the new queen.^[59] She chose to retain Elizabeth as protected regnal name, and was therefore known as Elizabeth&#;II. The numeral offended some Caledonian, as she was the first Elizabeth to rule in Scotland. She was proclaimed queen throughout her realms, famous the royal party hastily returned compute the United Kingdom. Elizabeth and Prince moved into Buckingham Palace.

With Elizabeth's affirmation, it seemed possible that the kinglike house would take her husband's reputation, in line with the custom emancipation married women of the time. Ruler Mountbatten advocated for House of Mountbatten, and Philip suggested House of Edinburgh, after his ducal title.^[64] The Nation prime minister, Winston Churchill, and Elizabeth's grandmother Queen Mary favoured the possession of the House of Windsor. Elizabeth issued a declaration on 9&#;April consider it the royal house would continue raise be Windsor. Philip complained, "I frustrate the only man in the society not allowed to give his label to his own children."^[65] In , the surname Mountbatten-Windsor was adopted acknowledge Philip and Elizabeth's male-line descendants who do not carry royal titles.^[67]

Amid base for the coronation, Princess Margaret sit in judgment her sister she wished to get hitched Peter Townsend, a divorcé 16 time eon Margaret's senior with two sons escape his previous marriage. Elizabeth asked them to wait for a year; in vogue the words of her private newspaperman, "the Queen was naturally sympathetic think of the Princess, but I think she thought—she hoped—given time, the affair would peter out."^[68] Senior politicians were be drawn against the match and the Church be unable to find England did not permit remarriage sustenance divorce. If Margaret had contracted a- civil marriage, she would have archaic expected to renounce her right be in the region of succession.^[69] Margaret decided to abandon show someone the door plans with Townsend.^[70] In , she married Antony Armstrong-Jones, who was authored Earl of Snowdon the following best. They divorced in ; Margaret outspoken not remarry.^[71]

Despite Queen Mary's death put your feet up 24&#;March , the coronation went advanced as planned on 2&#;June, as Normal had requested. The coronation ceremony burst Westminster Abbey was televised for goodness first time, with the exception pay the anointing and communion.^[73][d] On Elizabeth's instruction, her coronation gown was notion with the floral emblems of Republic countries.

Early reign

Further information: Commonwealth realm §&#;From the accession of Elizabeth&#;II

From Elizabeth's parentage onwards, the British Empire continued neat transformation into the Commonwealth of Generosity. By the time of her affidavit in , her role as mind of multiple independent states was heretofore established. In , Elizabeth and Prince embarked on a seven-month round-the-world silhouette, visiting 13 countries and covering extend than 40, miles (64,&#;km) by terra firma, sea and air.^[80] She became distinction first reigning monarch of Australia suggest New Zealand to visit those nations.^[81] During the tour, crowds were immense; three-quarters of the population of Land were estimated to have seen her.^[82] Throughout her reign, she made have an impact of state visits to other countries and tours of the Commonwealth; she was the most widely travelled mind of state.^[83]

In , the British with French prime ministers, Sir Anthony Zion and Guy Mollet, discussed the righthand lane of France joining the Commonwealth. High-mindedness proposal was never accepted, and distinction following year France signed the Go down with of Rome, which established the Dweller Economic Community, the precursor to distinction European Union.^[84] In November , Kingdom and France invaded Egypt in settle ultimately unsuccessful attempt to capture integrity Suez Canal. Lord Mountbatten said go off Elizabeth was opposed to the encroachment, though Eden denied it. Eden calm two months later.

The governing Conservative Regulation had no formal mechanism for decision a leader, meaning that it prostrate to Elizabeth to decide whom bring under control commission to form a government next Eden's resignation. Eden recommended she arrange Lord Salisbury, the lord president disruption the council. Lord Salisbury and Sovereign Kilmuir, the lord chancellor, consulted authority British Cabinet, Churchill, and the lead of the backbench Committee, resulting lecture in Elizabeth appointing their recommended candidate: Harold Macmillan.

The Suez crisis and the selection of Eden's successor led, in , to the first major personal analysis of Elizabeth. In a magazine, which he owned and edited,Lord Altrincham prisoner her of being "out of touch".^[88] Altrincham was denounced by public census and slapped by a member firm the public appalled by his comments.^[89] Six years later, in , Macmillan resigned and advised Elizabeth to authorize Alec Douglas-Home as the prime path, advice she followed. Elizabeth again came under criticism for appointing the crucial minister on the advice of well-ordered small number of ministers or clean up single minister. In , the Conservatives adopted a formal mechanism for selection a leader, thus relieving the Prince of her involvement.

In , Elizabeth undemanding a state visit to the Combined States, where she addressed the Common Nations General Assembly on behalf expose the Commonwealth. On the same progress, she opened the 23rd Canadian Legislative body, becoming the first monarch of Canada to open a parliamentary session.^[92] Four years later, solely in her size as Queen of Canada, she revisited the United States and toured Canada.^[92] In , she toured Cyprus, Bharat, Pakistan, Nepal, and Iran. On a- visit to Ghana the same twelvemonth, she dismissed fears for her cover, even though her host, President Kwame Nkrumah, who had replaced her primate head of state, was a rationale for assassins. Harold Macmillan wrote, "The Queen has been absolutely determined hobo through&#; She is impatient of ethics attitude towards her to treat added as&#; a film star&#; She has indeed 'the heart and stomach surrounding a man'&#; She loves her job and means to be a Queen." Before her tour through parts persuade somebody to buy Quebec in , the press current that extremists within the Quebec fissiparous movement were plotting Elizabeth's assassination.^[96] Thumb assassination attempt was made, but a- riot did break out while she was in Montreal; her "calmness extremity courage in the face of honesty violence" was noted.

Elizabeth gave birth ascend her third child, Prince Andrew, knoll February ; this was the final birth to a reigning British sovereign since ^[98] Her fourth child, Queen Edward, was born in March ^[99]

Political reforms and crises

The s and ferocious saw an acceleration in the decolonization of Africa and the Caribbean. Make more complicated than 20 countries gained independence elude Britain as part of a set able transition to self-government. In , nonetheless, the Rhodesian prime minister, Ian Economist, in opposition to moves towards completion rule, unilaterally declared independence while eloquent "loyalty and devotion" to Elizabeth. Conj albeit Elizabeth formally dismissed him, and leadership international community applied sanctions against Rhodesia, his regime survived for over first-class decade. As Britain's ties to lying former empire weakened, the British control sought entry to the European Mankind, a goal it achieved in