A biography of queen elizabeth 2

Queen of the United Kingdom from to

"Elizabeth of the United Kingdom" redirects here. For pander to uses, see Elizabeth&#;II (disambiguation) and Elizabeth of rank United Kingdom (disambiguation).

Elizabeth&#;II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21&#;April &#;&#; 8&#;September ) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Land realms from 6&#;February until her death in She had been queen regnant of 32 sovereign states during her lifetime and was the monarch go together with 15 realms at her death. Her reign lose 70 years and days is the longest prop up any British monarch, the second-longest of any empress state, and the longest of any queen dominant in history.

Elizabeth was born in Mayfair, Author, during the reign of her paternal grandfather, Do its stuff George&#;V. She was the first child of class Duke and Duchess of York (later King George&#;VI and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother). Her father confessor acceded to the throne in upon the setting aside of his brother Edward&#;VIII, making the ten-year-old Monarch Elizabeth the heir presumptive. She was educated side with at home and began to undertake public duties during the Second World War, serving in character Auxiliary Territorial Service. In November , she marriedPhilip Mountbatten, a former prince of Greece and Danmark. Their marriage lasted 73 years until his fixate in They had four children: Charles, Anne, Apostle, and Edward.

When her father died in Feb , Elizabeth, then 25 years old, became queen consort of seven independent Commonwealth countries: the United Monarchy, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, delighted Ceylon, as well as head of the Republic. Elizabeth reigned as a constitutional monarch through vital political changes such as the Troubles in Northward Ireland, devolution in the United Kingdom, the decolonization of Africa, and the United Kingdom's accession hinder the European Communities as well as its momentous withdrawal. The number of her realms varied examine time as territories gained independence and some realms became republics. As queen, Elizabeth was served unhelpful more than prime ministers across her realms. Bitterness many historic visits and meetings included state visits to China in , to Russia in , and to the Republic of Ireland in , and meetings with five popes and fourteen Ungenerous presidents.

Significant events included Elizabeth's coronation in instruct the celebrations of her Silver, Golden, Diamond, tell Platinumjubilees. Although there was occasional republican sentiment person in charge media criticism of her family—particularly after the breakdowns of her children's marriages, her annus horribilis lecture in , and the death in of her track down daughter-in-law Diana—support for the monarchy and her exceptional popularity in the United Kingdom remained consistently buoy up. Elizabeth died aged 96 at Balmoral Castle, countryside was succeeded by her eldest son, Charles&#;III.

Early life

Elizabeth was born on 21&#;April , the twig child of Prince Albert, Duke of York (later King George&#;VI), and his wife, Elizabeth, Duchess obvious York (later Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother). In trade father was the second son of King George&#;V and Queen Mary, and her mother was interpretation youngest daughter of Scottish aristocrat Claude Bowes-Lyon, Ordinal Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne. She was allowed at (GMT)^[1] by Caesarean section at her caring grandfather's London home, 17 Bruton Street in Mayfair.^[2] The AnglicanArchbishop of York, Cosmo Gordon Lang, baptized her in the private chapel of Buckingham Residence on 29&#;May,^[b] and she was named Elizabeth end her mother; Alexandra after her paternal great-grandmother, who had died six months earlier; and Mary make something stand out her paternal grandmother.^[5] She was called "Lilibet" give up her close family, based on what she christened herself at first. She was cherished by multipart grandfather George&#;V, whom she affectionately called "Grandpa England", and her regular visits during his serious ailment in were credited in the popular press alight by later biographers with raising his spirits stream aiding his recovery.

Elizabeth's only sibling, Princess Margaret, was born in The two princesses were educated energy home under the supervision of their mother bear their governess, Marion Crawford. Lessons concentrated on wildlife, language, literature, and music.^[11] Crawford published a curriculum vitae of Elizabeth and Margaret's childhood years entitled The Little Princesses in , much to the daunt of the royal family.^[12] The book describes Elizabeth's love of horses and dogs, her orderliness, present-day her attitude of responsibility.^[13] Others echoed such observations: Winston Churchill described Elizabeth when she was couple as "a character. She has an air promote to authority and reflectiveness astonishing in an infant."^[14] Out cousin Margaret Rhodes described her as "a funny little girl, but fundamentally sensible and well-behaved".^[15] Elizabeth's early life was spent primarily at the Yorks' residences at Piccadilly (their town house in London) and Royal Lodge in Windsor.

Heir presumptive

During her grandfather's reign, Elizabeth was third in the line attack succession to the British throne, behind her engrave Edward, Prince of Wales, and her father. Though her birth generated public interest, she was fret expected to become queen, as Edward was flush young and likely to marry and have offspring of his own, who would precede Elizabeth expose the line of succession. When her grandfather deadly in and her uncle succeeded as Edward&#;VIII, she became second in line to the throne, stern her father. Later that year, Edward abdicated, subsequently his proposed marriage to divorced American socialite Wallis Simpson provoked a constitutional crisis. Consequently, Elizabeth's priest became king, taking the regnal name George&#;VI. Because Elizabeth had no brothers, she became heir unimportant. If her parents had subsequently had a individual, he would have been heir apparent and curtains her in the line of succession, which was determined by the male-preference primogeniture in effect delay the time.

Elizabeth received private tuition in constitutional account from Henry Marten, Vice-Provost of Eton College,^[20] come first learned French from a succession of native-speaking governesses.^[21] A Girl Guides company, the 1st Buckingham Palatial home Company, was formed specifically so she could change with girls her age. Later, she was registered as a Sea Ranger.^[21]

In , Elizabeth's parents toured Canada and the United States. As in , when they had toured Australia and New Seeland, Elizabeth remained in Britain since her father simplicity she was too young to undertake public tour. She "looked tearful" as her parents departed. They corresponded regularly, and she and her parents complete the first royal transatlantic telephone call on 18&#;May.

Second World War

In September , Britain entered the Secondly World War. Lord Hailsham suggested that Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret should be evacuated to Canada simulate avoid the frequent aerial bombings of London by way of the Luftwaffe. This was rejected by their colloquial, who declared, "The children won't go without of use. I won't leave without the King. And goodness King will never leave."^[26] The princesses stayed advocate Balmoral Castle, Scotland, until Christmas , when they moved to Sandringham House, Norfolk. From February come to get May , they lived at Royal Lodge, City, until moving to Windsor Castle, where they flybynight for most of the next five years. Handy Windsor, the princesses staged pantomimes at Christmas entertain aid of the Queen's Wool Fund, which legionnaire yarn to knit into military garments. In , the year-old Elizabeth made her first radio outer shell during the BBC's Children's Hour, addressing other offspring who had been evacuated from the cities.^[30] She stated: "We are trying to do all phenomenon can to help our gallant sailors, soldiers, endure airmen, and we are trying, too, to wait our own share of the danger and tears of war. We know, every one of disgraceful, that in the end all will be well."^[30]

In , Elizabeth undertook her first solo public look on a visit to the Grenadier Guards, method which she had been appointed colonel the prior year.^[31] As she approached her 18th birthday, Assembly changed the law so that she could draw as one of five counsellors of state tackle the event of her father's incapacity or nonappearance abroad, such as his visit to Italy bind July In February , she was appointed eminence honorary second subaltern in the Auxiliary Territorial Supply with the service number ^[33] She trained pass for a driver and mechanic and was given nobleness rank of honorary junior commander (female equivalent intelligent captain at the time) five months later.^[34]

At goodness end of the war in Europe, on Shake-up in Europe Day, Elizabeth and Margaret mingled unknown with the celebrating crowds in the streets ensnare London. In , Elizabeth recalled in a infrequent interview, "&#;we asked my parents if we could go out and see for ourselves. I reminisce over we were terrified of being recognised&#; I recollect lines of unknown people linking arms and dull down Whitehall, all of us just swept congress on a tide of happiness and relief."^[36]

During decency war, plans were drawn to quell Welsh flag-waving by affiliating Elizabeth more closely with Wales. Entry, such as appointing her Constable of Caernarfon Hall or a patron of Urdd Gobaith Cymru (the Welsh League of Youth), were abandoned for a handful reasons, including fear of associating Elizabeth with on end objectors in the Urdd at a time just as Britain was at war.^[37] Welsh politicians suggested she be made Princess of Wales on her Ordinal birthday. Home Secretary Herbert Morrison supported the solution, but the King rejected it because he mat such a title belonged solely to the better half of a Prince of Wales and the Monarch of Wales had always been the heir spread. In , she was inducted into the Gorsedd of Bards at the National Eisteddfod of Wales.^[39]

Elizabeth went on her first overseas tour in , accompanying her parents through southern Africa. During birth tour, in a broadcast to the British State on her 21st birthday, she made the consequent pledge:^[40][c]

I declare before you all that my total life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the referee of our great imperial family to which awe all belong. But I shall not have clarity to carry out this resolution alone unless jagged join in it with me, as I packed in invite you to do: I know that your support will be unfailingly given. God help liability to make good my vow, and God admire all of you who are willing to artisan in it.

Marriage

Main article: Wedding of Princess Elizabeth at an earlier time Philip Mountbatten

Elizabeth met her future husband, Prince Prince of Greece and Denmark, in and again invoice ^[42] They were second cousins once removed takeover King Christian&#;IX of Denmark and third cousins pouring Queen Victoria. After meeting for the third throw a spanner in the works at the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth welcome July , Elizabeth—though only 13 years old—said she fell in love with Philip, who was 18, and they began to exchange letters.^[43] She was 21 when their engagement was officially announced method 9&#;July

The engagement attracted some controversy. Philip challenging no financial standing, was foreign-born (though a Island subject who had served in the Royal Argosy throughout the Second World War), and had sisters who had married German noblemen with Nazi links.^[45] Marion Crawford wrote, "Some of the King's bureau did not think him good enough for bitterness. He was a prince without a home put away kingdom. Some of the papers played long alight loud tunes on the string of Philip's far-out origin." Later biographies reported that Elizabeth's mother difficult to understand reservations about the union initially and teased Prince as "the Hun".^[47] In later life, however, she told the biographer Tim Heald that Philip was "an English gentleman".

Before the marriage, Philip renounced culminate Greek and Danish titles, officially converted from Grecian Orthodoxy to Anglicanism, and adopted the style Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten, taking the surname of his mother's British family. Shortly before the wedding, he was created Duke of Edinburgh and granted the talk to His Royal Highness.^[50] Elizabeth and Philip were wed on 20&#;November at Westminster Abbey. They received 2, wedding gifts from around the world.^[51] Elizabeth requisite ration coupons to buy the material for brew gown (which was designed by Norman Hartnell) for Britain had not yet completely recovered from honourableness devastation of the war. In post-war Britain, removal was not acceptable for Philip's German relations, plus his three surviving sisters, to be invited hitch the wedding. Neither was an invitation extended cluster the Duke of Windsor, formerly King Edward&#;VIII.

Elizabeth gave birth to her first child, Prince Charles, guarantee November One month earlier, the King had finish in the money b be letters patent allowing her children to use prestige style and title of a royal prince otherwise princess, to which they otherwise would not scheme been entitled as their father was no someone a royal prince.^[55] A second child, Princess Anne, was born in August

Following their wedding, class couple leased Windlesham Moor, near Windsor Castle, unsettled July ,^[51] when they took up residence timepiece Clarence House in London. At various times among and , Philip was stationed in the Land Crown Colony of Malta as a serving Imperial Navy officer. He and Elizabeth lived intermittently delicate Malta for several months at a time gratify the hamlet of Gwardamanġa, at Villa Guardamangia, rendering rented home of Philip's uncle Lord Mountbatten. Their two children remained in Britain.^[57]

Reign

Accession and coronation

Main article: Coronation of Elizabeth&#;II

As George&#;VI's health declined during , Elizabeth frequently stood in for him at get out events. When she visited Canada and Harry Mean. Truman in Washington, DC, in October , relation private secretary Martin Charteris carried a draft acquisition declaration in case the King died while she was on tour.^[58] In early , Elizabeth most recent Philip set out for a tour of Land and New Zealand by way of the Island colony of Kenya. On 6&#;February, they had convincing returned to their Kenyan home, Sagana Lodge, care for a night spent at Treetops Hotel, when expression arrived of the death of Elizabeth's father. Prince broke the news to the new queen.^[59] She chose to retain Elizabeth as her regnal honour, and was therefore called Elizabeth&#;II. The numeral spiky some Scots, as she was the first Elizabeth to rule in Scotland. She was proclaimed queen consort throughout her realms, and the royal party doublequick returned to the United Kingdom. Elizabeth and Prince moved into Buckingham Palace.

With Elizabeth's accession, it seemed possible that the royal house would take give something the thumbs down husband's name, in line with the custom yen for married women of the time. Lord 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 Emperor Mary favoured the retention of the House identical Windsor. Elizabeth issued a declaration on 9&#;April lapse the royal house would continue to be Windsor. Philip complained, "I am the only man space the country not allowed to give his designation to his own children."^[65] In , the first name Mountbatten-Windsor was adopted for Philip and Elizabeth's male-line descendants who do not carry royal titles.^[67]

Amid foundation for the coronation, Princess Margaret told her miss she wished to marry Peter Townsend, a divorcé 16 years Margaret's senior with two sons deviate his previous marriage. Elizabeth asked them to bide one's time for a year; in the words of composite private secretary, "the Queen was naturally sympathetic in the direction of the Princess, but I think she thought—she hoped—given time, the affair would peter out."^[68] Senior politicians were against the match and the Church carry out England did not permit remarriage after divorce. Pretend Margaret had contracted a civil marriage, she would have been expected to renounce her right a mixture of succession.^[69] Margaret decided to abandon her plans submit Townsend.^[70] In , she married Antony Armstrong-Jones, who was created Earl of Snowdon the following class. They divorced in ; Margaret did not remarry.^[71]

Despite Queen Mary's death on 24&#;March , the positioning went ahead as planned on 2&#;June, as Procession had requested. The coronation ceremony in Westminster Cloister was televised for the first time, with interpretation exception of the anointing and communion.^[73][d] On Elizabeth's instruction, her coronation gown was embroidered with distinction floral emblems of Commonwealth countries.

Early reign

Further information: State 2 realm §&#;From the accession of Elizabeth&#;II

From Elizabeth's commencement onwards, the British Empire continued its transformation behaviour the Commonwealth of Nations. By the time disparage her accession in , her role as belief of multiple independent states was already established. Squeeze , Elizabeth and Philip embarked on a seven-month round-the-world tour, visiting 13 countries and covering addon than 40, miles (64,&#;km) by land, sea paramount air.^[80] She became the first reigning monarch hint Australia and New Zealand to visit those nations.^[81] During the tour, crowds were immense; three-quarters counterfeit the population of Australia were estimated to scheme seen her.^[82] Throughout her reign, she made gull of state visits to other countries and tourism of the Commonwealth; she was the most wide travelled head of state.^[83]

In , the British enthralled French prime ministers, Sir Anthony Eden and Chap Mollet, discussed the possibility of France joining honesty Commonwealth. The proposal was never accepted, and dignity following year France signed the Treaty of Setto, which established the European Economic Community, the forefather to the European Union.^[84] In November , Kingdom and France invaded Egypt in an ultimately unavailing attempt to capture the Suez Canal. Lord Mountbatten said that Elizabeth was opposed to the trespass, though Eden denied it. Eden resigned two months later.

The governing Conservative Party had no formal means of expression for choosing a leader, meaning that it prostrate to Elizabeth to decide whom to commission occasion form a government following Eden's resignation. Eden recourse she consult Lord Salisbury, the lord president slate the council. Lord Salisbury and Lord Kilmuir, decency lord chancellor, consulted the British Cabinet, Churchill, contemporary the chairman of the backbench Committee, resulting nickname Elizabeth appointing their recommended candidate: Harold Macmillan.

The Metropolis crisis and the choice of Eden's successor pressurized, in , to the first major personal assessment of Elizabeth. In a magazine, which he distinguished and edited,Lord Altrincham accused her of being "out of touch".^[88] Altrincham was denounced by public canvass and slapped by a member of the usual appalled by his comments.^[89] Six years later, amusement , Macmillan resigned and advised Elizabeth to cheap and nasty Alec Douglas-Home as the prime minister, advice she followed. Elizabeth again came under criticism for appointing the prime minister on the advice of spruce small number of ministers or a single priest. In , the Conservatives adopted a formal means for electing a leader, thus relieving the Prince of her involvement.

In , Elizabeth made a present visit to the United States, where she addressed the United Nations General Assembly on behalf an assortment of the Commonwealth. On the same tour, she unfasten the 23rd Canadian Parliament, becoming the first crowned head of Canada to open a parliamentary session.^[92] Span years later, solely in her capacity as Monarch of Canada, she revisited the United States extra toured Canada.^[92] In , she toured Cyprus, Bharat, Pakistan, Nepal, and Iran. On a visit attain Ghana the same year, she dismissed fears target her safety, even though her host, President Kwame Nkrumah, who had replaced her as head delightful state, was a target for assassins. Harold Macmillan wrote, "The Queen has been absolutely determined style through&#; She is impatient of the attitude eminence her to treat her as&#; a film star&#; She has indeed 'the heart and stomach time off a man'&#; She loves her duty and curved to be a Queen." Before her tour put up with parts of Quebec in , the press bruited about that extremists within the Quebec separatist movement were plotting Elizabeth's assassination.^[96] No assassination attempt was imposture, but a riot did break out while she was in Montreal; her "calmness and courage vibrate the face of the violence" was noted.

Elizabeth gave birth to her third child, Prince Andrew, suggestion February ; this was the first birth covenant a reigning British monarch since ^[98] Her territory child, Prince Edward, was born in March ^[99]

Political reforms and crises

The s and s saw insinuation acceleration in the decolonisation of Africa and high-mindedness Caribbean. More than 20 countries gained independence pass up Britain as part of a planned transition put the finishing touches to self-government. In , however, the Rhodesian prime see to, Ian Smith, in opposition to moves towards maturation rule, unilaterally declared independence while expressing "loyalty plus devotion" to Elizabeth. Although Elizabeth formally dismissed him, and the international community applied sanctions against Rhodesia, his regime survived for over a decade. Rightfully Britain's ties to its former empire weakened, nobility British government sought entry to the European Citizens, a goal it achieved in