Elizabeth II Birth
Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born at 02:40 (GMT) on 21 April 1926, during the reign of her paternal grandfather, King George V.
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History of Queen Elizabeth II
Wednesday Apr 21, 1926 to Present
United Kingdom
Elizabeth was born in Mayfair, London, as the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth). Her father ascended the throne on the abdication of his brother King Edward VIII in 1936, from which time she was the heir presumptive. She was educated privately at home and began to undertake public duties during the Second World War, serving in the Auxiliary Territorial Service. In 1947 she married 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 II baptized
She was baptized by the Anglican Archbishop of York, Cosmo Gordon Lang, in the private chapel of Buckingham Palace on 29 May, and named Elizabeth after her mother.
The first official portrait of Elizabeth
The first official portrait of Elizabeth was taken by Marcus Adams in 1926.
Elizabeth'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.
Elizabeth's husband
Elizabeth met her future husband, Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark.
Elizabeth and Margaret should be evacuated to Canada
In September 1939, Britain entered the Second World War. Lord Hailsham suggested that Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret should be evacuated to Canada to avoid the frequent aerial bombing. This was rejected by their mother. The princesses stayed at Balmoral Castle, Scotland, until Christmas.
Elizabeth lived at Royal Lodge
From February to May 1940, Elizabeth and Margaret lived at Royal Lodge, Windsor, until moving to Windsor Castle, where they lived for most of the next five years.
Elizabeth made her first radio broadcast during the BBC at 14 years old
In 1940, the 14-year-old Elizabeth made her first radio broadcast during the BBC's Children's Hour, addressing other children who had been evacuated from the cities.
Elizabeth undertook her first appearance
In 1943, Elizabeth undertook her first solo public appearance on a visit to the Grenadier Guards, of which she had been appointed colonel the previous year.
Elizabeth appointed as an honorary second subaltern
In February 1945, she was appointed as an honorary second subaltern in the Auxiliary Territorial Service with the service number of 230873.
Elizabeth engagement to Prince Philip
The royal couple went on to officially confirm their engagement on July 9th, 1947, and hosted a photocall at Buckingham Palace, which allowed the future monarch to show off her new diamond ring.
Elizabeth and Philip were married
Elizabeth and Philip were married on 20 November 1947 at Westminster Abbey.
Princess Elizabeth went to southern Africa with her parents
Princess Elizabeth went in 1947 on her first overseas tour, accompanying her parents through southern Africa.
Prince Charles birth
Elizabeth gave birth to her first child, Prince Charles, on 14 November 1948.
Elizabeth refused changing the name of the royal house
On 9 April 1952, Elizabeth issued a declaration that Windsor would continue to be the name of the royal house.
Coronation of Elizabeth II, 1953
Queen Elizabeth II was crowned on June 2, 1953, in Westminster Abbey.
Elizabeth II attended Commonwealth Conference
Queen Elizabeth II attended with several of her prime ministers and other Commonwealth of Nations leaders at the 1960 Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference .
Elizabeth II endured visiting Romania's communist leader
In 1978, the Queen endured a state visit to the United Kingdom by Romania's communist leader, Nicolae Ceaușescu, and his wife, Elena though privately she thought they had "blood on their hands".
Elizabeth II visited New Zealand
Elizabeth II visited New Zealand with her husband Prince Philip in October 1981.
Elizabeth found an intruder in the room with her
On 9 July, she awoke in her bedroom at Buckingham Palace to find an intruder, Michael Fagan, in the room with her. In a serious lapse of security, assistance only arrived after two calls to the Palace police switchboard.
First communication between Queen and Congress
In 1991, in the wake of coalition victory in the Gulf War, the Queen became the first British monarch to address a joint meeting of the United States Congress.
Elizabeth's second son separated of his wife
In March, Elizabeth's second son, Prince Andrew, and his wife, Sarah, separated.
Elizabeth's daughter divarication
In April, her daughter, Princess Anne, divorced Captain Mark Phillips.
First British monarch visited Russia
In October 1994, the Queen became the first reigning British monarch to set foot on Russian soil. During the four-day visit, which is considered to be one of the most important foreign trips of the Queen's reign, she and Philip attended events in Moscow and St. Petersburg
A fire broke out at Windsor Castle
A large fire broke out at Windsor Castle, Elizabeth's official residences, in November. Elizabeth came under increased criticism when angry demonstrators in Dresden threw eggs at her.
Horrible year
In a speech on 24 November 1992, to mark her Ruby Jubilee on the throne, Elizabeth called 1992 her annus horribilis (horrible year).
Elizabeth held a reception for her husband at the golden wedding anniversary
In November 1997, the Queen and her husband held a reception at Banqueting House to mark their golden wedding anniversary. She made a speech and praised Philip for his role as a consort, referring to him as "my strength and stay".
Elizabeth had surgery on both knees
In 2003, the Queen had keyhole surgery on both knees.
Elizabeth missed the opening of the new Emirates Stadium
In October 2006, Elizabeth missed the opening of the new Emirates Stadium because of a strained back muscle that had been troubling her since the summer.
Elizabeth attended the first Maundy service
On 20 March 2008, at the Church of Ireland St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh, the Queen attended the first Maundy service held outside England and Wales.
Elizabeth addressed the UN General Assembly
Elizabeth addressed the UN General Assembly for a second time in 2010, again in her capacity as Queen of all Commonwealth realms and Head of the Commonwealth
Elizabeth first time visited Ireland in 2011
Elizabeth made the first state visit to the Republic of Ireland by a British monarch in May 2011.
Elizabeth visited Birmingham
Elizabeth visited Birmingham in July 2012 as part of her Diamond Jubilee tour.
Elizabeth celebrated Diamond Jubilee marking 60 years on the throne
The Queen's 2012 Diamond Jubilee marked 60 years on the throne, and celebrations were held throughout her realms, the wider Commonwealth, and beyond.
Elizabeth was admitted to King Edward VII's Hospital
On 3 March 2013, Elizabeth was admitted to King Edward VII's Hospital as a precaution after developing symptoms of gastroenteritis.
Elizabeth received an honorary BAFTA
On 4 April 2013, she received an honorary BAFTA for her patronage of the film industry and was called "the most memorable Bond girl yet" at the award ceremony.
First British monarch to commemorate a Sapphire Jubilee
On 6 February 2017, Elizabeth became the first British monarch to commemorate a Sapphire Jubilee.
Elizabeth had surgery
Elizabeth had cataract surgery in May 2018. the surgery took place at King Edward VII hospital.
Elizabeth opted to gave up drove on public roads
In March 2019, she opted to give up driving on public roads, largely as a consequence of a car crash involving her husband two months beforehand.
Elizabeth moved to Windsor Castle at COVID-19 pandemic
On 19 March 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United Kingdom, the Queen moved to Windsor Castle and sequestered there as a precaution. Public engagements were cancelled and Windsor Castle followed a strict sanitary protocol nicknamed "HMS Bubble".
Prince Philip's death
Prince Philip died on 9 April 2021, after 73 years of marriage, making Elizabeth the first British monarch to reign as a widow or widower since Queen Victoria.