Elizabeth II

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Hrh Princess Elizabeth in the Auxiliary Territorial Service, April 1945 TR2832

Special Film Project 186 - Buckingham Palace 2

Huwelijk Prinses Elisabeth, Bestanddeelnr 902-4693 (cropped)

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Queen Elizabeth II on her Coronation Day

British Empire in February 1952

Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor; born 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until her death in 2022. Her reign of 70 years and 214 days was the longest of any British monarch and the second-longest recorded of any monarch of a sovereign country. 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 Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, a former prince of Greece and Denmark, with whom she had four children: Charles, Anne, Andrew, and Edward.

Elizabeth's early reign saw a time of significant change for the British Empire, which transitioned into the Commonwealth of Nations. Her many historic visits and meetings included a state visit to the Republic of Ireland and visits from five popes. She saw significant constitutional changes, such as the decolonization of Africa, the devolution of powers to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and the United Kingdom's accession to and later withdrawal from the European Union. Her reign also witnessed the Windsor Castle fire and numerous national and international crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic towards the end of her life. Elizabeth was the longest-serving current head of state, having surpassed the record of her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria in 2015.

Elizabeth was widely respected for her sense of duty and her devotion to a life of service. She was an important figure for the stability and continuity within the Commonwealth realms, where she tried to make the monarchy more modern and sensitive to the public. Critics, however, argued about the monarchy's expense and the relevance of the institution in the modern age. Following her death, her eldest son, Charles, succeeded her as Charles III.

Early Life

Elizabeth was born at 02:40 on 21 April 1926, during the reign of her paternal grandfather, King George V. Her father was the Duke of York (later King George VI), the second son of the King, and her mother was the Duchess of York (later Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother), the youngest daughter of Scottish aristocrat the Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne. She was baptised by the Archbishop of York in the private chapel of Buckingham Palace on 29 May 1926.

Reign

Elizabeth became queen on 6 February 1952, following the death of her father, King George VI. During her reign, she encountered a rapidly changing Britain and Commonwealth, with the decolonization of Africa, the acceleration of the devolution of powers to her realms, and the challenges of maintaining relevance for the monarchy in a rapidly changing world. Elizabeth's approach to her role evolved over the years, but she consistently remained a symbol of continuity and stability.

Legacy

Queen Elizabeth II's legacy is marked by her longevity and the stability she brought to the monarchy through times of change. Her reign saw the transformation of the British Empire into the Commonwealth of Nations, underscoring her commitment to a global community. Elizabeth's dedication to her duties earned her respect and admiration worldwide, making her a beloved figure in British history and beyond.