March 24, 1603, Richmond, United Kingdom, March 24, 1603, Richmond, United Kingdom
Spouse
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Mark
Dress suit, big hat, boxy handbag
Fact
Owns one of the world's largest private collections of postage stamps.
Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; born 21 April 1926) is Queen of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms. Elizabeth was born in London as the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York, later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, and she was educated privately at home. Her father acceded to the throne on the abdication of his brother King Edward VIII in 1936, from which time she was the heir presumptive. She began to undertake public duties during the Second World War, serving in the Auxiliary Territorial Service. In 1947, she married Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, a former prince of Greece and Denmark, with whom she has four children: Charles, Prince of Wales; Anne, Princess Royal; Prince Andrew, Duke of York; and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex.
Elizabeth’s many historic visits and meetings include a state visit to the Republic of Ireland and a meeting with Pope John Paul II. During her reign, she has seen major constitutional changes, such as devolution in the United Kingdom, Canadian patriation, and the decolonisation of Africa. She has also reigned through various conflicts involving many of her realms, including the Falklands War and the Gulf War. She is the world’s oldest reigning monarch as well as Britain’s longest-lived. In October 2016, she became the longest currently reigning British monarch after the death of Queen Victoria.
Elizabeth has occasionally faced republican sentiments and press criticism of the royal family, but support for the monarchy remains high, as does her personal popularity. Elizabeth was born at 02:40 on 21 April 1926, during the reign of her paternal grandfather, King George V. Her father, Prince Albert, Duke of York (later King George VI), was the second son of the King. Her mother, Elizabeth, Duchess of York (later Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother), was the youngest daughter of Scottish aristocrat Claude Bowes-Lyon, 14th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne. She was delivered by Caesarean section at her maternal grandfather’s London house: 17 Bruton Street, Mayfair.
She was baptised by the Anglican Archbishop of York, Cosmo Gordon Lang, in the private chapel of Buckingham Palace on 29 May 1926. Her godparents were Lang’s wife (née Gladys Spencer-Churchill; sister of Winston Churchill); Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (the Duchess’s cousin); Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester (the King’s younger brother); and Princess Mary, Duchess of Gloucester (the King’s only sister). Elizabeth’s only sibling, Princess Margaret, was born in 1930. The two princesses were educated at home under the supervision of their mother and their governess, Marion Crawford. Lessons concentrated on history, language, literature and music. Crawford published a biography of Elizabeth and Margaret’s childhood years entitled The Little Princesses in 1950, much to the dismay of the royal family. The book describes Elizabeth’s love of horses and dogs, her orderliness, and her attitude of responsibility. Others echoed such observations: Winston Churchill described Elizabeth when she was two as “a character. She has an air of authority and reflectiveness astonishing in an infant.”
Her cousin Margaret Rhodes described her as “a jolly little girl, but fundamentally sensible and well-behaved”. During her grandfather’s reign, Elizabeth was third in the line of succession to the throne, behind her uncle Edward, Prince of Wales, and her father. Although her birth generated public interest, she was not expected to become queen, as Edward was still young. Many people believed he would marry and have children of his own. When her grandfather died in 1936 and her uncle succeeded as Edward VIII, she became second-in-line to the throne, after her father. Later that year, Edward abdicated to marry American divorcée Wallis Simpson; after a failed attempt to persuade his brother to take his place on the throne as Regent (which would have allowed him to remain married to Simpson), George ascended as king.
Elizabeth began to undertake public duties during the Second World War. She became Colonel-in-Chief of the Grenadier Guards in 1944. In 1947 she married Prince Philip Mountbatten (born Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark), a former naval officer whom she had first met in 1934. During the wedding ceremony she took on the style Her Royal Highness The Princess Elizabeth Duchess of Edinburgh. In 1950 she gave birth to her first child, Prince Charles. The following year she toured Canada and visited President Harry S Truman in Washington D.C., during which time she made a speech to the Canadian Parliament.
In February 1952 George VI died and Elizabeth became queen at age 25. Her coronation ceremony took place on 2 June 1953 at Westminster Abbey; it was televised for the first time and watched by millions around the world. During her reign she has made many historic visits abroad including a state visit to Ireland in 2011; she also became the first British monarch to address both Houses of Congress during a visit to Washington D.C. in 1957. In recent years she has undertaken fewer public engagements due to her advancing age; however she still carries out a full program of official engagements every year.
Elizabeth II has been married to Prince Philip for over 70 years; they are currently the longest-married couple in British royal history. They have four children: Charles (born 1948), Anne (born 1950), Andrew (born 1960), and Edward (born 1964). Eight grandchildren: Peter Phillips (born 1977), Zara Tindall (born 1981), Prince William (born 1982), Prince Harry (born 1984), Princess Beatrice (born 1988), Princess Eugenie (born 1990), Louise Windsor (born 2003), and James Windsor (born 2007). As well as five great-grandchildren: Savannah Phillips (born 2010), Isla Phillips (born 2012), Mia Tindall (born 2014), Lena Tindall (born 2018)
Elizabeth II is currently 92 years old and is Britain’s longest-reigning monarch; she became queen in 1952 at age 25 upon the death of her father King George VI. She is also currently the world’s oldest reigning monarch as well as Britain’s longest-lived person ever. In October 2016 she surpassed Queen Victoria’s record as Britain’s longest-reigning monarch after 63 years and 216 days on the throne; Victoria ruled for 63 years and 7 months. Elizabeth II has four children – Charles (age 70), Anne (age 68), Andrew (age 58), and Edward (age 56) – eight grandchildren – Peter Phillips (age 41), Zara Tindall (age 37), Prince William (age 36), Prince Harry (age 34), Princess Beatrice (age 30), Princess Eugenie (age 28), Louise Windsor (age 15), James Windsor (age 12) – and five great-grandchildren – Savannah Phillips (age 8), Isla Phillips (age 6), Mia Tindall (age 5), Lena Tindall (age 1), and Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor (age 7 months).
General Info
Full Name
Elizabeth II
Date Of Birth
September 7, 1533, April 21, 1926, April 21, 1926
Died
March 24, 1603, Richmond, United Kingdom, March 24, 1603, Richmond, United Kingdom
Place Of Birth
Mayfair, London, United Kingdom, Mayfair, London, United Kingdom
Height
1.63 m, 1.63 m, 1.63 m, 1.63 m, 1.63 m
Profession
Politician, Monarch, Monarch, Monarch
Nationality
English, British, British, British, British
Family
Spouse
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Children
Charles, Prince of Wales, Anne, Princess Royal, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, Charles, Prince of Wales, Anne, Princess Royal, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, Charles, Prince of Wales, Anne, Princess Royal, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, Charles, Prince of Wales, Anne, Princess Royal, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, Charles, Prince of Wales, Anne, Princess Royal, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex
Parents
Henry VIII of England, Anne Boleyn, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, George VI, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, George VI, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, George VI
Siblings
Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, Rock My Style, Julie Ocean, She-Diana, Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon
Accomplishments
TV Shows
Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work, Royal Heritage, Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work, Royal Heritage, Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work, Royal Heritage, Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work, Royal Heritage, Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work, Royal Heritage
[her Christmas speech to the nation in 1965] Every year the familiar pattern of Christmas unfolds. The sights and the customs and festivities may seem very much the same from one year to another, and yet to families and individuals each Christmas is slightly different.
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The right to change the government by the ballot box and not the barrel of a gun; perhaps the best definition of a democracy.
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In tomorrow's world we must all work together as hard as ever, if we're truly to be United Nations.
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Discrimination still exists. Some people feel that their own beliefs are being threatened. Some are unhappy about unfamiliar cultures. They all need to be reassured that there is so much to be gained by reaching out to others; that diversity is indeed a strength and not a threat.
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We are a moderate, pragmatic people, more comfortable with practice than theory.
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Football's a difficult business and aren't they prima donnas?
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[40th anniversary of her Accession] 1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an 'Annus Horribilis'.
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[upon seeing William for the first time] Thank goodness he hasn't got ears like his father. Rejoice!
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The British constitution has always been puzzling and always will be.
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First I want to pay homage to Diana myself. She was an exceptional and gifted human being, In good times and bad, she never lost her capacity to smile and laugh, nor to inspire others with her warmth and kindness. I admired and respected her - for her energy and commitments to others, and especially to her two boys.
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We lost the American colonies because we lacked the statesmanship to know the right time and the manner of yielding what is impossible to keep.
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Like all best families, we have our share of eccentricities, of impetuous and wayward youngsters and of family disagreements.
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[on her 21st birthday] I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.
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[on her 1951 cross-Canada tour] My face is aching with smiling. I am not a Hollywood movie star and I do not propose to act as one.
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Grief is the price we pay for love.
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My husband has quite simply been my strength and stay all these years, and I owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim.
Her Coronation in 1953 was watched by a 13-year old David Jason; she later knighted him during her birthday honors on December 1st, 2005. According to Jason, she never tells anyone to 'arise' once they've been knighted - it's an urban myth and not part of the ceremony. Later, she told Jason he had been in the business a long time, and he asked if he had ever done anything to offend her. She laughed and said no.
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On the 9th of September 2007 there was much news coverage of Queen Elizabeth II attending the Opening of the Welsh Assembly. Unfortunately, unintentional humor resulted when some broadcasters used the common abbreviation of the word Assembly.
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May 4-8. Her Majesty stayed in Jamestown, Virginia to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the colonizing of Jamestown. [May 2007]
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Ascended the throne when she was 25.
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Harry's graduation was the first time in 15 years she presented the ceremony.
Has 8 grandchildren:Prince William Arthur Philip Louis (b. 21 June 1982), and Prince Henry Charles Albert David (b. 15 September 1984, Prince Charles' sons), Peter Mark Andrew Phillips (b. 15 November 1977) and Zara Anne Elizabeth Phillips (b. 15 May 1981, Princess Anne's children), Princess Beatrice Elizabeth Mary (b. 8 August 1988) and Princess Eugenie Victoria Helena (b. 23 March 1990, Prince Andrew's daughters), Lady Louise Alice Elizabeth Mary (b. 8 November 2003) and James Alexander Philip Theo, Viscount Severn (b. 17 December 2007, Prince Edward's children).
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Her Majesty became Queen in a tree house. At the time of her father's death she was staying at the Treetops Hotel. It is literally built into the tops of the trees of the Aberdares National Park as a tree house, offering the guests a close view of the local wildlife in complete safety. It was there that, uniquely, she "went up a Princess and came down a Queen". She was the first British monarch since the Act of Union in 1801 to be outside the country at the moment of succession, and also the first in modern times not to know the exact time of her accession (because her father, George VI, had died in his sleep at an unknown time); it fell to Prince Philip to tell her. The night of the King's death, Sir Horace Hearne, then Chief Justice of Kenya, escorted The Princess Elizabeth, as she then was, to a state dinner at the Treetops Hotel. Upon finding out that she was now Queen, she returned immediately to Britain.
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The 2009 Sunday Times List estimated her net worth at $442 million.
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Has never held a drivers license, despite driving an ambulance in WWII. She does, however, drive on her lands.
Time Magazine's "Man (or Person) of the Year" (1953)
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Although most of the "Crown Jewels" are owned by the state, the British Royal Family do own one of the most valuable collection of jewels in the world, containing some of the worlds largest diamonds, Emeralds, Sapphires, and Rubies.
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She owns the world's finest Pink Diamond, It forms the Centre of a flower brooch and weights 54.50 carats.
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Not including the United Kingdom, she is Queen of over a dozen countries, including Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Since she does not live in those countries, though she visits often, much of her duties are performed by a Governor General who she appoints on the advice of the Prime Minister of the country in question. It is important to note that neither the sovereign nor the Governors General, have had any hand in governing these countries since the 1930s, and their roles are purely ceremonial.
Niece of King Edward VIII (Duke of Windsor), Mary the Princess Royal (aka Victoria, 1897-1965), Prince Henry (Duke of Gloucester), Prince George ('Duke of Kent'), and Prince John (1905-1919).
She has owned over 30 corgis over the years, and her four current dogs are named Pharos, Swift, Emma, and Linnet (as of February 2002).
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She enjoys watching horse-racing, "Doctor Who" and the British comedy Last of the Summer Wine (1973) .
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She formally approves all government legislation, though she does this on the advice of the Prime Minister. It would create a massive crisis if she did not approve a piece of legislation.
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Owns one of the world's largest private collections of postage stamps.