Queen Elizabeth II

* Season 6
* Season 5
* Season 4
* Season 3
* Season 2
* Season 1

**Queen Elizabeth II** (born **Elizabeth Alexandra Mary**) was the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and Head of the Commonwealth from 1952 until her death in 2022. In *The Crown*, she is portrayed by Claire Foy, Olivia Colman and Imelda Staunton.

## Character

Elizabeth was born the elder child of the Duke and Duchess of York in 1926. Known as Lilibet, she was raised with her sister, Margaret in a loving family that never expected her to become the monarch. At birth, she was second in line to the throne, behind her father. In 1936, she became the heir presumptive when her uncle, King Edward VIII abdicated to marry Wallis Simpson, and her father became King George VI.

History books generally describe Elizabeth as an unexpected monarch prior to her uncle's abdication, but the opposite seems more likely. At the time Edward VIII abdicated, he was 42, unmarried and childless. Had Edward not had a legitimate heir (and indeed, he did not), Elizabeth would have succeeded him to the throne in May 1972, regardless of whether her uncle had married. However, because of the abdication Elizabeth ascended the throne in 1952 at the age of 25 following her father's untimely death.

## Biography

In November 1947, Elizabeth anxiously waits as her fiancé, Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, surrenders his title as Prince of Greece and Denmark. He is named Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and Lieutenant of the Royal Navy so that he may be allowed to marry The Princess Elizabeth. (Wolferton Splash) The two marry in Westminster Abbey and four years later, have two young children, Charles and Anne, and are living in Malta where Philip has become Lieutenant-Commander in the Royal Navy.

News that Elizabeth's father, King George VI, has fallen ill calls the family back to London where George learns that he has a malignant lung tumor and has only months to live. However, Elizabeth, as well as her mother Queen Elizabeth, her sister Princess Margaret, and her paternal grandmother Queen Mary, are spared the truth. Elizabeth and Philip take up residence at Clarence House, where Philip eagerly oversees renovations. At breakfast with her mother and sister, Elizabeth observes the attraction between Margaret and her father's equerry, Group Captain Peter Townsend, but reminds Margaret that, although she understand the attraction, Peter is married and therefore unavailable.

On a Christmas trip to Sandringham, Elizabeth is alarmed at her father's sudden emotional breakdown while singing Christmas carols and furthermore when she realizes his hacking cough has not yet been repaired by surgery. Realizing Elizabeth will be Queen much sooner than expected, George makes an effort to prepare her for her role by asking that she and Philip take on the Commonwealth tour in his place, as he is too ill to travel. Philip at first heavily objects, not wishing to leave the children or his career for so long, but eventually agrees at his wife's insistence.

Elizabeth and Philip begin the Commonwealth tour in Kenya,(Hyde Park Corner), where they are eagerly greeted by the country's citizens. Their holiday begins on a happy note, as Philip and Elizabeth realize the convenience of being away from home without family or children. After courageously defending his wife from an elephant, Elizabeth promises Philip that she will write to her father asking if they may return to Malta, as she knows how he has missed their life there. That night, the two witness some spectacular nighttime wildlife and spend the rest of the evening together; unbeknownst to them, thousands of miles away, King George VI dies in his sleep at Sandringham after spending time with his wife and Margaret.

The next morning, Elizabeth and Philip depart once again, and seem lighthearted; Philip proudly looks on when Elizabeth makes use of her wartime experience as a mechanic, and Elizabeth writes a letter to her father. When word finally arrives in Kenya that the king has died, Elizabeth's personal secretary, Martin Charteris, rushes to get to Elizabeth and Philip before the press. Waking Philip from a nap, he informs the Duke of the news, and Philip insists he be the one to tell Elizabeth. Heartbroken at the tragic news of her father's death, Elizabeth and Philip leave Kenya, under the solemn note of the death of a sovereign.

On the plane, Elizabeth has trouble sleeping and apologizes to Philip for their happy trip having been cut short. She is even more saddened when she realizes her trusted secretary Martin is to be replaced by the former secretary of her father, Tommy Lascelles. Upon their arrival in London, Tommy insists Elizabeth walk in front of Philip, much to his subsequent irritation. At Buckingham Palace, Elizabeth goes to see her father one last time, and sobs at the sight of his lifeless body. But as she reunites with her mother, sister, and grandmother, she faces a much heavier task: becoming queen.

Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8, 2022 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, after 70 years on the throne. she was succeeded by her son, Charles, Prince of Wales, who became King Charles III. The Queen remains a popular and widely celebrated figure throughout the Commonwealth and the world to this day.

## Trivia

* Queen Elizabeth was named after her mother (Elizabeth), her paternal great grandmother, who died five months prior to her birth (Alexandra) and her paternal grandmother (Mary).
* In an interview with W Magazine, Claire Foy revealed that she had to wear a corset in Season 1 after giving birth and a padded bra in Season 2 in order to emulate the Queen's well-endowed figure.
* Felicity Jones was originally cast as the Queen but the role later went to Claire Foy, who was then five months pregnant, instead.