Queen Elizabeth II: The platinum monarch? - CNN.com Queen Elizabeth II: The platinum monarch? By Victoria Arbiter Updated 3:54 PM ET, Wed September 9, 2015 Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds. Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth is the longest-reigning monarch in British history. Look back at moments from her life so far. Hide Caption 1 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth was born April 21, 1926, in London. She is held here by her mother, Elizabeth. Her father would later become King George VI. Hide Caption Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Princess Elizabeth in 1928. 3 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Princess Elizabeth is seen with her uncle Edward, Prince of Wales, during a visit to Balmoral, Scotland, in September 1933. He would go on to become King Edward VIII in 1936. But when he abdicated later that year, Elizabeth's father became King and she became heir presumptive.

Hide Caption 4 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Princess Elizabeth is seen in the Duchess' box during a pantomime act at London's Lyceum Theater in February 1935. Hide Caption 5 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II From left, Princess Elizabeth, King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret wave to the crowd from the Royal Balcony of Buckingham Palace on June 22, 1939. Hide Caption 6 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II A 14-year-old Princess Elizabeth, right, sits next to her sister for a radio broadcast on October 13, 1940. On the broadcast, her first, she said that England's children were full of cheerfulness and courage. Hide Caption 7 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Princess Elizabeth shakes hands with an officer of the Grenadier Guards on May 29, 1942. King George VI made Elizabeth an honorary colonel in the Royal Army regiment. Hide Caption Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Princess Elizabeth, right, and Princess Margaret wear summer dresses circa 1942.

Hide Caption 9 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II With the Drakensberg Mountains behind her, Princess Elizabeth sits in South Africa's Natal National Park on April 21, 1947, her 21st birthday. Hide Caption 10 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II This portrait of the British royal family was taken in July 1947, after Princess Elizabeth, far left, got engaged to Prince Philip of Greece, a lieutenant in the British Navy. He is second from left. To his left are Queen Elizabeth, King George VI and Princess Margaret. Hide Caption 11 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II The Royal Wedding Party waves from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on November 20, 1947. After becoming a British citizen and renouncing his Greek title, Philip became His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His wife became the Duchess of Edinburgh. Hide Caption 12 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Princess Elizabeth smiles in March 1950 as she arrives to a state banquet at the French Embassy in London's Kensington Palace Gardens.

Hide Caption 13 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth ascended to the throne in February 1952, when her father died of lung cancer. Here, the new Queen leaves the Royal Archers Hall in Edinburgh after a ball in June 1952. It was the first function she attended as Queen following her father's death. Hide Caption Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II walks to the altar during her coronation ceremony on June 2, 1953. Hide Caption 15 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II on the balcony of Melbourne's Government House, during her tour of Australia in March 1954. Hide Caption 16 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II From left, Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother visit Epsom Downs Racecourse in June 1958. Hide Caption 17 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II The Queen holds her son Prince Andrew while his sister, Princess Anne, watches during a family holiday at Scotland's Balmoral Castle in September 1960.

Hide Caption Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II is seen during the State Opening of Parliament in April 1966. Hide Caption Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II with her oldest son, Prince Charles, in 1969. Hide Caption Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Prince Charles adjusts his coronet during his investiture ceremony as Prince of Wales in 1969. Hide Caption 21 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip wave from a plane ramp shortly before taking off from Tokyo in May 1975. Hide Caption 22 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II takes a portrait at Windsor Castle for her 50th birthday on April 21, 1976. Hide Caption Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II The Queen meets the crowds during her royal tour of New Zealand in 1977. Hide Caption 24 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II The Queen stands next to Prince Charles as he kisses his new bride, Princess Diana, on their wedding day July 29, 1981.

Hide Caption 25 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II takes pictures of her husband during a horse show in Windsor, England, on May 16, 1982. Hide Caption 26 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II The Queen reacts to an elephant as she tours a charity event in London's Hyde Park in June 1987. Hide Caption 27 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II fires a rifle during a visit to the Army Rifle Association at Bisley, England, in July 1993. Hide Caption 28 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II While at Buckingham Palace, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip view the floral tributes to Princess Diana after her tragic death in 1997. Hide Caption Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II The Queen addresses the nation on the night before Princess Diana's funeral in 1997. Hide Caption 30 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Prince Charles looks back at his mother after wedding Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, in April 2005.

Hide Caption 31 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip leave London's St. Paul's Cathedral on October 9, 2009, following a commemoration service to mark the end of combat operations in Iraq. Hide Caption 32 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II The Queen, second from right, greets a crowd from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on April 29, 2011. Her grandson Prince William, third from left, had just married Catherine Middleton. Hide Caption 33 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II drives her Range Rover as she attends the Windsor Horse Show in May 2011. Hide Caption 34 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II The Queen's signature is seen in the visitors book at Aras An Uachtarain, the Irish President's official residence in Dublin, Ireland, in May 2011. Hide Caption 35 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Flags are waved as Queen Elizabeth II leaves St.

Paul's Cathedral following its 300th anniversary service in June 2011. Hide Caption Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Madame Tussauds London reveals a wax figure of the Queen in May 2012. Hide Caption 37 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Prince Charles kisses his mother's hand on stage as singer Paul McCartney, far right, looks on at the Diamond Jubilee concert held June 4, 2012, at Buckingham Palace. The Diamond Jubilee celebrations marked Elizabeth's 60th anniversary as Queen. Hide Caption 38 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II The Queen speaks at a reception for members of the International Olympic Committee on July 23, 2012. Hide Caption Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II The Queen tours the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London in December 2012. Hide Caption 40 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II A boy in Belfast, Northern Ireland, takes a selfie in front of the Queen in June 2014.

Hide Caption 41 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II The Queen enters the Great Hall at Edinburgh Castle after attending a commemorative service for the Scottish National War Memorial in July 2014. Hide Caption 42 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II The Queen waits to give her speech during the State Opening of Parliament on May 27, 2015. Hide Caption Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II The Queen sits at a desk in Buckingham Palace in July 2015. Hide Caption Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II The British monarch greets the public after attending church services in February. Hide Caption 45 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Prince George gets a boost from some foam blocks for a special family photo. The portrait, featuring the four generations of the House of Windsor, was commissioned by the Royal Mail and will be featured on a series of stamps to commemorate the Queen's 90th birthday. Hide Caption 46 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II acknowledges the crowd as she celebrates her 90th birthday in Windsor, England, on April 21.

Hide Caption 47 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II On June 10, Buckingham Palace released a new official photograph to mark the Queen's 90th birthday. It shows her with Prince Philip and was taken at Windsor Castle just after Easter. Hide Caption Queen Elizabeth II | Britroyals Current Age: 90 years, 9 months, She has Reigned for: 64 years, 11 months, and 14 days Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born in London on 21 April 1926; she was educated privately, and assumed official duties at 16. During World War II she served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service, and by an amendment to the Regency Act she became a state counsellor on her 18th birthday. On the death of George VI in 1952 she succeeded to the throne while in Kenya with her husband and was crowned on 2 June 1953. The reign of Queen Elizabeth II since 1952 has spanned a period of rapid and occasionally turbulent change.

Britain�s position in the world, her economy, and the very shape and structures of society have all been transformed and many traditional institutions have suffered in the process. Through all this, the path of the Crown has been marked out by The Queen herself, in a prolonged display of unwavering devotion to Duty and quiet pragmatism which has met a nationally-felt need, and has won her the respect and affection of her peoples. As hereditary head of State for Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and Head of the Commonwealth, she has symbolic and formal functions and duties but no direct powers. She is an embodiment of national identity and continuity and, with her family, performs countless formalities to mark events in the lives of individuals and communities and provides valuable patronage for innumerable charities. Supported by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, to whom she was married on 20 November 1947, The Queen is head of a large family. The first child of the royal marriage and the current heir to the throne is Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, who was born on 14 November 1948 and was invested as Prince of Wales at Caernarvon Castle on 1 July 1969.

He married Lady Diana Spencer ( Princess Diana ) on 29 July 1981; two sons were born to the marriage, Prince William, born 21 June 1982 and Prince Henry (Harry), born 15 September 1984. However, the marriage broke down amid widely-publicised bitterness, and a divorce followed. These troubles, together with the divorces of Princess Anne and the Duke of York, were seen by some to diminish the monarchy in public esteem. The death of Diana, Princess of Wales on 31 August 1997 in a car crash in Paris unleashed a wave of hysteria stirred up by the media, and the family had to suffer relentless intrusion by the world's press into their lives. In 2012 she opened the London Olympics and celebrated her Diamond Jubilee of 60 years on the throne . The Prince of Wales, after suffering a period of unpopularity, has shown resilience and willingness to meet the public half-way in its new mood.

His long-established concern for the disadvantaged sections of society, and support of a �green� environmental issues, has enabled him to meet on common ground many who might be put off by grandeur and pomp, while his evident devotion to his two sons Prince William and Prince Harry and grandchildren Prince George and Princess Charlotte has won him a real measure of respect. Initially unpopular his wife Camilla has shown herself to be capable in her support. Debate about the future of the monarchy continues, but the Royal Family has shown itself willing to accept evolutionary change including the Queen�s decision to pay tax, changes being made to the Civil List, and the opening of Buckingham Palace to the public to help fund the restoration of Windsor Castle. On 10th September 2015 Queen Elizabeth II became the longest ever reigning British monarch surpassing the 63 years 7 months reigned by her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria.

Queen Elizabeth II's Signature Quotes: �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.� � Queen Elizabeth II �It's all to do with the training: you can do a lot if you're properly trained� � Queen Elizabeth II �Like all the best families, we have our share of eccentricities, of impetuous and wayward youngsters and of family disagreements.� � Queen Elizabeth II �I cannot lead you into battle. I do not give you laws or administer justice but I can do something else - I can give my heart and my devotion to these old islands and to all the peoples of our brotherhood of nations.� � Queen Elizabeth II. Timeline for Queen Elizabeth II Year BBC - iWonder - Queen Elizabeth II: Britain’s longest reigning monarch Queen Elizabeth II: Britain’s longest reigning monarch 21 April 1926 Presented byProfessor Kate WilliamsRoyal historian Constant Queen As the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II has seen Britain change dramatically over the years. Yet she has remained a constant presence in the lives of the people of the UK and Commonwealth. Duty and family are very important to her.

As a child during the Second World War she inspired the nation. The lessons she learned during these formative years helped her ensure the Royal Family remains a symbol of tradition in the 21st Century. 21 April 1926 You need to have JavaScript enabled to view this clip. Andrew Marr discusses Princess Elizabeth's family and early life. The Diamond Queen (BBC One, 2012). Princess Elizabeth was born in 1926. Her father Albert – Bertie to family – was George V's second eldest son and did not expect one day to be king. Elizabeth's mother and father took their royal duties seriously. Though loving parents, they kept with the tradition of not taking their children on royal tours. They left the baby Elizabeth behind when they embarked on a six-month tour of Australia. It was duty first for the young Royal Family. [She’s] a character. She has an air of authority and reflectiveness astonishing in an infant. Winston Churchill, 1928 A growing family Princess Elizabeth and her mother, Queen Elizabeth, with baby Princess Margaret. Elizabeth was four when her sister Margaret was born. The family lived at 145 Piccadilly and the two girls were educated at home.

The young Princess Elizabeth – called Lilibet by her family – often visited her grandfather King George V at his home, Buckingham Palace. They were close, and on one occasion the press attributed George's recovery from a serious illness to spirit-raising visits from his young granddaughter. [she’s] a jolly little girl, but fundamentally sensible and well-behaved. Margaret Rhodes, Elizabeth’s cousin 1936 The Year of Three Kings You need to have JavaScript enabled to view this clip. Andrew Marr explains how Princess Elizabeth became heir to the throne in 1936. The Diamond Queen (BBC One, 2012). Elizabeth's life changed forever when King George V died to be succeeded to the throne by her uncle Edward who then abdicated shortly afterwards. Elizabeth's father became King George VI, and the young princess first in line to the throne. The family had to move from their home in Piccadilly to Buckingham Palace. George V had disapproved of his eldest son Edward, and hoped that Elizabeth would one day be Queen. George VI has been described as a reluctant king.

The day before he accepted the throne he wrote in his diary "I broke down and sobbed like a child." I pray to God that my eldest son [Edward] will never marry and have children, and that nothing will come between Bertie and Lilibet and the throne. King George V confiding to a courtier in 1935. 13 October 1940 Elizabeth's broadcast to the children You need to have JavaScript enabled to view this clip. Princess Elizabeth delivers her first radio speech at age 14. BBC Radio (1940). During World War Two Princess Elizabeth did her part to boost public morale. In 1940 she made a broadcast to Britain's children. Taking on solemn duties at an early age had a profound effect on her. She made public appearances on her own, representing her father the King. She also served in the auxiliary territorial service, a role she was keen to take up in order to make a contribution to the war effort. During the war years she was also in correspondence with a young naval officer, Philip of Denmark and Greece. Celebrating VE Day amongst the people Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret mingled anonymously with crowds outside Buckingham Palace.

On the day the war ended in Europe, Elizabeth and her sister Margaret mingled anonymously with the crowds outside the palace. Elizabeth convinced her parents to let her and Margaret join the VE day celebrations. Elizabeth was wary of being recognised but later said it was one of the most memorable nights of her life. This was a rare moment when she was able to join the public – her subjects to be – which would eventually be impossible for her. World War Two cemented cemented two principles the Queen would support for the rest of her reign: a commitment to the Commonwealth, and the importance of remembrance. I remember lines of unknown people linking arms and walking down Whitehall, all of us just swept along on a tide of happiness and relief. Queen Elizabeth II, reflecting on VE day in a BBC interview in 1985 1947 Elizabeth's first tour abroad Princess Elizabeth playing deck games on board a Royal Navy ship. On her 21st birthday Elizabeth went on an official tour of South Africa, delivering a speech dedicating herself to the service of the Commonwealth. Elizabeth's father King George VI was suffering from poor health.

Elizabeth continued to take on royal duties, and over the next few years she played a greater public role as her father's health declined. She had her own private secretary and was given access to Foreign Office telegrams, which arrived in boxes dedicated to her and read daily parliamentary reports. I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to … the service of our great imperial family. Princess Elizabeth in her speech in South Africa, 1947 20 November 1947 A royal wedding You need to have JavaScript enabled to view this clip. The Queen marries Prince Philip in Westminster Abbey. How Princess Elizabeth met her Prince (BBC One, 2006). Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten were married at Westminster Abbey on 20 November 1947. She wore a dress she'd paid for with ration tokens. Although Elizabeth and Philip were in love, the young princess’s husband was a controversial choice. He was foreign born, with no financial standing and no kingdom. He had sisters married to Nazis, who were not invited to the wedding. Philip gave up his Greek and Danish titles and changed his religion to marry Elizabeth.

Now married for over 65 years, the Queen has had the longest marriage of any UK monarch. [The wedding is] a flash of colour on the hard road we have to travel. Winston Churchill, responding to suggestions that the postwar wedding should be austere. 1948 Elizabeth becomes Queen You need to have JavaScript enabled to view this clip. The broadcast made by the BBC on the King's death. An Unforgettable Coronation (BBC One, 2003). King George VI had been in poor health for years. For some time Elizabeth's secretary had been carrying accession papers for use when the King died. The King passed away while Elizabeth was touring Kenya. The young princess became Queen while visiting a treetop hotel. One of her aides told Prince Philip the news. Philip looked "as if the world had been dropped on him." Philip then told the new Queen of her father's death. The next day Elizabeth requested no photographs be taken, though one journalist said he could feel her sadness as she passed and waved to them. International stateswoman You need to have JavaScript enabled to view this clip. 20 years after World War Two, the Queen pledged support for West Berlin and received rapturous applause.

The Queen in Germany (BBC One, 2006). By 1965, the Queen had reigned for over a decade and made frequent overseas visits. She had also given birth to two further sons: Edward and Andrew. At home and abroad, the Queen had to maintain political neutrality, but she was making her own mark on the role of monarch. She made a number of historic visits, including the first to Berlin of a British monarch since before World War One. She also delivered a speech at the United Nations in New York, representing the UK and the Commonwealth. Ensuring the unity of the Commonwealth has been an enduring passion for her. God save the Queen, she ain’t no human being. God Save the Queen, the Sex Pistols 1981 Queen under threat The Queen, riding side saddle on her horse Burmese during Trooping the Colour, moments before the attack. A man fired six shots at the Queen while she was riding down The Mall. The shots turned out to be blanks. Though shaken, the Queen retained control over her horse. The man, Marcus Serjeant, was tried and sentenced to five years in prison under the treason act.

This attack came the month before Charles and Diana's wedding, so royal security was stepped up in preparation. The following year, another man broke into the Queen's bedroom in a startling breach of security at Buckingham Palace. She has indeed 'the heart and stomach of a man'... She loves her duty and means to be a Queen. Harold MacMillan, prime minister 1957-63 Around this time… Elizabeth's annus horribilis You need to have JavaScript enabled to view this clip. Andrew Marr looks at the events that made 1992 a bad year for the Queen. The Queen at 80 (BBC One, 2006). The Queen called 1992 her Annus horribilis ‒ horrible year ‒ in a speech made after a series of unpleasant events. The marriages of two of her children, Princess Anne and Prince Andrew, broke down. A best-selling book was published detailing Princess Diana's unhappiness and collapsing marriage. There was also a large and damaging fire at Windsor Castle, the Queen’s private home. Public support for the Royal Family dipped, though the Queen remained dignified and constant figure.

Princess Diana dies You need to have JavaScript enabled to view this clip. John Simpson reports on the return of the Queen to Buckingham Palace after Diana's death. BBC News (BBC One, 1997). Princess Diana died in an accident in 1997. Amid the mourning, the Queen faced a critical dilemma. Initially, the Royal Family grieved privately. However, the public reaction to Diana's death led to accusations the Queen was unresponsive and out of touch with the public mood. A Daily Express headline declared, ‘Show Us You Care.’ That evening, the Queen made a broadcast paying tribute to Diana as an "exceptional and gifted human being". The swell of anger had shocked the Queen and she admitted there were "lessons to be drawn from her life and the extraordinary public reaction to her death". Death of her mother and sister You need to have JavaScript enabled to view this clip. Golden Jubilee party at the Palace. The Royal Year with Jennie Bond (BBC One, 2002). Fifty years after her father's death, both the Queen's mother and sister died within two months of each other. However, popular support for the Queen was increasing after the difficult 1990s.

Throughout her reign, the Queen represented continuity and surety, though she accepted the monarchy must attempt to renew itself. She undertook a 40,000-mile tour of the Commonwealth. She said her own "association with the Commonwealth has taught me that the most important contact between nations is usually contact between its peoples." Change has become a constant, managing it has become an expanding discipline. Queen Elizabeth II, Golden Jubilee speech to the Houses of Parliament, 2002 2012 The Olympics and a Diamond Jubilee You need to have JavaScript enabled to view this clip. Andrew Marr summarises the Queen's Diamond year. A Diamond Queen (BBC One, 2012). In a year of celebration the Queen joined the Olympic opening ceremony, appearing in a James Bond spoof in her first acting role. In the same year she celebrated her Diamond Jubilee, only the second achieved by a British monarch. She did not travel the world for this celebration. Instead her children and grandchildren made trips on her behalf. The Queen chose to tour the UK over several months. In 2012 her approval rating hit 90% – the highest it had been since she came to the throne in 1952.

Elizabeth II becomes Britain’s longest reigning monarch The Queen attending a ceremony for ANZAC day at the cenotaph in 2015. On 9 September 2015 Elizabeth II overtook Victoria to become Britain’s longest reigning monarch. By this point she had been Queen to twelve Prime Ministers, and still met David Cameron weekly to receive reports on his government and to offer her counsel and advice. In 2013, the law was changed so the monarch’s eldest born child has the right to the throne, rather than the eldest boy. It is fitting that this occurred during the rule of Elizabeth II, our longest reigning and perhaps most successful monarch in history. Queen Elizabeth II - Queen - Biography.com Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain is currently the longest-reigning monarch in British history. She was crowned in 1953 and her 60 years on the throne was celebrated in June 2012 with the Diamond Jubilee.

IN THESE GROUPS » quotes “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.” “1992 is not a year I shall look back on with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an 'annus horribilis.'” “When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead, they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future.” “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.” “Grief is the price we pay for love.” “I cannot lead you into battle, I do not give you laws or administer justice but I can do something else, I can give you my heart and my devotion to these old islands and to all the peoples of our brotherhood of nations.” “In remembering the appalling suffering of war on both sides, we recognize how precious is the peace we have built in Europe since 1945.” “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.” “Have you been playing a long time?" (To Eric Clapton at a palace reception)” “The British monarchy doesn't depend entirely on glamour, as the long, long reign of Queen Elizabeth II continues to demonstrate.

Her unflinching dutifulness and reliability have conferred something beyond charm upon the institution, associating it with stoicism and a certain integrity.” Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II - Royal Wedding (TV-14; 1:25) An inside look at the royal wedding between Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Synopsis Queen Elizabeth II was born Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary on April 21, 1926, in London, to Prince Albert, Duke of York (later known as King George VI ), and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon . She married Philip Mountbatten , Duke of Edinburgh, in 1947, became queen on February 6, 1952, and was crowned on June 2, 1953. She is the mother of Prince Charles , heir to the throne, as well as the grandmother of princes William and Harry . As the longest-serving monarch in British history, she has tried to make her reign more modern and sensitive to a changing public while maintaining traditions associated with the crown. Early Life Queen Elizabeth II was born Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary on April 21, 1926, in London, England.

At the time of her birth, most did not realize Elizabeth would someday become queen of Great Britain. Her father, Prince Albert, was the second son of King George V and Queen Mary . Elizabeth got to enjoy the first decade of her life with all the privileges of being a royal without the pressures of being the heir apparent. Her father and mother, also known as the Duke and Duchess of York, divided their time between a home in London and Royal Lodge, the family's home on the grounds of Windsor Great Park. Elizabeth, nicknamed Lilibet, and her younger sister Margaret were educated at home by tutors. Academic courses included French, mathematics and history, with dancing, singing and art lessons undertaken as well. Father Becomes King In 1936, the course of Elizabeth's life changed with the death of her grandfather, George V, with whom she was said to be close. Her uncle became King Edward VIII , but he was in love with American divorcée Wallis Simpson and had to choose between the crown and his heart. In the end, Edward chose Simpson and Elizabeth's father became King George VI.

Service in WWII With the outbreak of World War II in 1939, Elizabeth and her sister Princess Margaret largely stayed out of London, having been relocated to Windsor Castle. From there she made the first of her famous radio broadcasts, with this particular speech reassuring the children of Britain who had been evacuated from their homes and families. The 14-year-old princess, showing her calm and firm personality, told them "that in the end, all will be well; for God will care for us and give us victory and peace." Elizabeth soon started taking on other public duties. Appointed colonel-in-chief of the Grenadier Guards by her father, Elizabeth made her first public appearance inspecting the troops in 1942. She also began to accompany her parents on official visits within Britain. In 1945, Elizabeth joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service to help in the war effort. She trained side-by-side with other British women to be an expert driver and mechanic. While her volunteer work only lasted a few months, it offered Elizabeth a glimpse into a different, non-royal world. She had another vivid experience outside of the monarchy when she and Margaret were allowed to mingle anonymously among the citizenry on Victory in Europe Day.

Marriage and Accession Elizabeth first met Philip Mountbatten (a surname adopted from his mother's side), son of Prince Andrew of Greece, when she was only 13, and was smitten with him from the start. Distant cousins, the two kept in touch over the years and eventually fell in love. They made an unusual pair. Elizabeth was quiet and reserved while Philip was boisterous and outspoken. Her father, King George VI, was hesitant about the match because, while Mountbatten had ties to both the Danish and Greek royal families, he didn't possess great wealth and was considered by some a bit rough in his personality. At the time of their marriage in the autumn of 1947, Great Britain was still recovering from the ravages of WWII. Elizabeth in fact collected clothing coupons to get fabric for her gown. The ceremony was held at London's Westminster Abbey on November 20. The family took on the name Windsor, a move pushed by her mother and Prime Minister Winston Churchill , and which caused tension with her husband. The couple wasted no time in producing an heir. Son Charles was born the following year and daughter Anne arrived in 1950.

On February 6, 1952, King George VI died, and Elizabeth assumed the responsibilities of the ruling monarch. (She and Prince Philip had been in Kenya at the time of her father's death.) Her official coronation took place on June 2, 1953, in Westminster Abbey. For the first time, the ceremony was broadcast on television, allowing people from across the globe to witness the pomp and spectacle of the event. World Traveler Queen Elizabeth's long and mainly peaceful reign has been marked by vast changes in her people's lives, in her country's power, how Britain is viewed abroad and how the monarchy is regarded and portrayed. As a constitutional monarch, Elizabeth does not weigh in on political matters, nor does she reveal her political views. However, she confers regularly with her prime ministers. When Elizabeth became queen, post-war Britain still had a substantial empire, dominions and dependencies. However, during the 1950s and 1960s, many of these possessions achieved independence and the British Empire evolved into the Commonwealth of Nations. Elizabeth II has thus made visits to other countries as head of the Commonwealth and a representative of Britain, including a groundbreaking trip to Germany in 1965.

She became the first British monarch to tour there in more than five decades. During the 1970s and 1980s, Queen Elizabeth continued to travel extensively. In 1973 she attended the Commonwealth Conference in Ottawa, Canada, and in 1976 traveled to the United States for the 200th anniversary celebration of America’s independence from Britain. More than a week later she was in Montreal, Canada, to open the Summer Olympics. In 1979, she traveled to Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, which garnered international attention and widespread respect. A Royal Family Elizabeth had two more children—sons Andrew and Edward —in 1960 and 1964 respectively. She worked tirelessly to protect the image of the monarchy and to prepare for its future. In 1969, she officially made Prince Charles her successor by granting him the title of Prince of Wales. Hundreds of millions of people tuned in to see the ceremony on television. In 1981 Charles wed 19-year-old Diana Spencer , with later rumors surfacing that he was pressured into the marriage from his family.

The wedding drew enormous crowds in the streets of London and millions watched the proceedings on television. Public opinion of the monarchy was especially strong at that time. The following year, Elizabeth worried about her second son Prince Andrew, who served as a helicopter pilot in the British Royal Navy during the Falklands War of 1982. Britain went to war with Argentina over the Falklands Islands, a clash that lasted for several weeks. While more than 250 British soldiers died in the conflict, Prince Andrew returned home safe and well much to his mother's relief. Threats and Scandals Elizabeth, as queen, has seen the monarchy come under attack during her lifetime. The once-revered institution has weathered a number of storms, including death threats against the royal family. In 1979, Elizabeth suffered a great personal loss when Lord Mountbatten, her husband's uncle, died in a terrorist bombing. Mountbatten and several members of his family were aboard his boat on August 29, off the west coast of Ireland, when the vessel exploded. He and three others, including one of his grandsons, were killed.

The IRA (Irish Republican Army), which opposed British rule in Northern Ireland, took responsibility for the attack. In June 1981, Elizabeth herself had a dangerous encounter. She was riding in the Trooping the Colour, a special military parade to celebrate her official birthday, when a man in the crowd pointed a gun at her. He fired, but, fortunately, the gun was loaded with blanks. Other than receiving a good scare, the Queen was not hurt. She had an even closer call the following year when an intruder broke into Buckingham Palace and confronted Elizabeth in her bedroom. When the press got wind of the fact that Prince Philip was nowhere to be seen during this incident, they speculated about the state of the royal marriage. The love lives of her children have caused Elizabeth heartache as well. The rocky marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana made headlines for years before the couple announced plans to divorce in 1992. Prince Andrew's union with Sarah Ferguson ended up in the tabloids as well, with photos of Sarah and another man engaged in romantic activity splashed across the front papers. And the Queen's own husband has inspired numerous public relations headaches with his off-the-cuff, edgy comments and rumors of possible infidelities.

In 1997, Elizabeth went under intense media scrutiny herself in the wake of Princess Diana's death. Her incredibly popular ex-daughter-in-law, sometimes nicknamed the People's Princess, died from injuries in a Paris car crash on August 31. The Queen was at her Balmoral estate in Scotland with Prince Charles and his and Diana's two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, at the time. For days, Elizabeth remained silent while the country mourned Diana's passing, and she was sharply criticized for her lack of response. Stories circulated that the Queen did not want to give Diana a royal funeral, which only fueled public sentiment against the monarch. Nearly a week after Diana's death, Elizabeth returned to London and issued a statement on the late princess. Loss and Change After the start of the 21st century, Elizabeth experienced two great losses. She said good-bye to both her sister Margaret and her mother in 2002, the same year she celebrated her Golden Jubilee, or 50th year on the throne. Margaret, known for being more of an adventurous soul than other royals and who was barred from marrying an early love, died that February after suffering a stroke.

Only a few weeks later, Elizabeth's mother, known as the Queen Mother, died at Royal Lodge on March 30 at the age of 101. Known to be a stickler for ceremony and tradition, Elizabeth eventually started to show signs of softening her stance. She had objected to the relationship between Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles , with the pair having been involved while the prince was married. When the two wed in 2005, Elizabeth and Prince Philip had a reception in their honor at Windsor Castle. Elizabeth has also emerged as a devoted grandmother to William and Harry. Prince William has said that she offered invaluable support and guidance as he and Kate Middleton planned their 2011 wedding. That same year, Elizabeth showed that the crown still had symbolic and diplomatic power when she became the first British monarch to visit the Republic of Ireland since 1911. Elizabeth has modernized the monarchy as well. She had dropped some of its formalities and made certain sites and treasures more accessible to the public. As Britain and other nations have struggled financially, she has welcomed the elimination of the Civil List, which was a public funding system of the monarchy dating back roughly 250 years.

The royal family continues to receive some government support, but the Queen has had to cut back on spending. Diamond Jubilee Despite the occasional call to step aside for Prince Charles, Elizabeth has remained steadfastly on the throne. Some of her duties have been passed on to her eldest son, but she still maintains a busy schedule. Elizabeth handles roughly 430 engagements each year and supports hundreds of charitable organizations and programs. Elizabeth celebrated her Diamond Jubilee in 2012, marking 60 years as queen. As part of the jubilee festivities, a special BBC concert was held on June 4 featuring the likes of Shirley Bassey , Paul McCartney , Tom Jones , Stevie Wonder and Kylie Minogue . Elizabeth was surrounded by family at this historic event, including her husband Philip, son Charles and grandsons Harry and William. Then on September 9, 2015, she surpassed her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria as Britain's longest ruling monarch, who reigned for 63 years. Queen Grandmother In 2013, Elizabeth celebrated another happy event.

Her grandson William and his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, welcomed their first child, George Alexander Louis —known officially as "His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge"—on July 22, 2013. Elizabeth visited her new great-grandson after William and Kate returned home to Kensington Palace from the hospital. Two years later, on May 2, 2015, William and Kate welcomed their second child, Princess Charlotte , who is also the Queen's fifth great-grandchild. In addition to Prince William and Prince Harry, the Queen’s other grandchildren are Peter Phillips, Princess Beatrice of York, Princess Eugenie of York, Zara Tindall, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn. Relationship With Prime Ministers As of 2017, Elizabeth has had 13 prime ministers placed into power during her reign, with Queen and PM having a weekly, confidential meeting . (Elizabeth has also met about a quarter of all the U.S. presidents in history.) She enjoyed a father figure relationship with the iconic Winston Churchill, and was later able to loosen up a bit and be somewhat informal with Labour leaders Harold Wilson and James Callaghan.

In contrast, she and Margaret Thatcher had a very formal, distant relationship, with the PM tending to be a grating lecturer to the Queen on a variety of issues. Tony Blair saw certain concepts around the monarchy as somewhat outdated, though he did appreciate Elizabeth making a public statement after the death of Princess Diana. Later, Conservative leader David Cameron , who is Elizabeth's fifth cousin removed, enjoyed a warm rapport with the Queen. He apologized in 2014 for revealing in a conversation that she was against the Scottish referendum to seek independence from Great Britain. The most recent PM, Theresa May , has been described as being tight-lipped about Brexit plans to leave the European Union, with a rumor circulating that Elizabeth was perturbed over not being informed about future exit strategies. Screen and Stage Depictions Keeping in mind the duration of her reign, Elizabeth has been played by a number of well-known actresses on both stage and screen. She has perhaps most famously been portrayed by Helen Mirren , who received an Oscar and Golden Globe, among other accolades, for her starring role in 2006's The Queen, directed by Stephen Frears.

Mirren later played Elizabeth in The Audience, a West End and Broadway play which chronicled the Queen's aforementioned meetings with various prime ministers and for which the actress earned a 2015 Tony Award. Elizabeth later received a dramatic stage treatment from the formidable Kristin Scott Thomas , who starred in The Audience in 2015. The Queen has also been played in various films over the decades by lookalike Jeannette Charles and was portrayed by Emma Thompson in the Playhouse Presents TV episode Walking the Dogs (2012). Elizabeth has been more recently portrayed on television screens by Claire Foy; the actress depicts the future monarch at the time of her marriage and political relationship with Churchill ( John Lithgow ) in Netflix's The Crown, which debuted in autumn 2016. Foy received a Best Actress Golden Globe for the role. Health Scare As 2016 came to end, concerns about the Queen’s health grew. The Queen was reported to have a “heavy cold” and missed several traditional holiday events, including Christmas and New Year's services. “The Queen does not yet feel ready to attend church as she is still recuperating from a heavy cold,” the palace said in a statement.

She made her first public appearance in January since taking ill in December. At that time it was also announced that she would be cutting the number of charities of which she is a patron in an effort to reduce her work obligations. Personal Life Not one for the spotlight, Elizabeth likes quiet pastimes. She enjoys reading mysteries, working on crossword puzzles and even watching wrestling on television. For much of her life, the Queen has surrounded herself with dogs. She is especially known for her love of corgis. Also a horse enthusiast, Elizabeth breeds thoroughbreds and attends several racing events each year. Videos Queen Elizabeth is world's oldest monarch after death of Saudi king Queen Elizabeth is world's oldest monarch after death of Saudi king Queen Elizabeth II now reigns as world's oldest monarch. Post to Facebook Queen Elizabeth is world's oldest monarch after death of Saudi king Queen Elizabeth II now reigns as world's oldest monarch. Check out this story on USATODAY.com: CancelSend A link has been sent to your friend's email address. Posted! A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.

14 To find out more about Facebook commenting please read the Conversation Guidelines and FAQs Queen Elizabeth is world's oldest monarch after death of Saudi king Maria Puente , USA TODAY Published 7:46 p.m. ET Jan. 22, 2015 | Updated 3:26 p.m. ET Jan. 23, 2015 Posted! A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. Queen Elizabeth II turned 89 on Tuesday, April 21, making her the oldest monarch ever in the 1,000-year history of the British monarchy. But she's still working hard, still making public appearances. A few days before her birthday, she greeted guests at a reception at Canada House in London. WPA Pool/ Getty Images It's tradition to fire the cannons on the queen's birthday. The Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery perform a 41 Royal Gun Salute at Hyde Park in London, to mark Her Majesty's 89th birthday on April 21.

ANDY RAIN/ EPA Fullscreen The Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery fire a First World War-era 13-pounder field gun during a royal salute to mark the 89th birthday of the queen. Although her birthday is in April, it's officially celebrated in June at the Trooping the Color ceremony, because the weather is generally better for outdoor festivities. ADRIAN DENNIS/ AFP/Getty Images Fullscreen Prince Philip, who's five years older than his wife the queen, is always at her side. Together they maintain a busy schedule of engagements, including a state visit to Germany scheduled for June. On April 25, they will participate in commemoration ceremonies in London for the 100th anniversary of the WWI Gallipoli campaign. And they are waiting, like all of Britain, for the impending birth of their fifth great-grandchild, the second royal baby of Prince William and Duchess Kate. Danny E. Martindale/ Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II with jockey Tom Queally and trainer Michael Bell at Newbury racecourse on April 18. Horses and horse racing are the queen's passions.

Alan Crowhurst/ Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II arrives to visit the 'Information Age' Exhibition at the Science Museum on October 24, 2014. Chris Jackson, Getty Images Prince Andrew Duke of York presents Queen Elizabeth II with a trophy after her horse won a major race, in June 2013. Alastair Grant, AP A boy snaps a selfie in front of Queen Elizabeth II during the monarch's June 24, 2014, visit to St. George's indoor market in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Peter Macdiarmid, Getty Images Fullscreen Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, visit the art installation "Blood Swept Lands and Seas" at the Tower of London on Oct. 16, 2014. The art installation consist of over 800,000 red ceramic poppies that symbolize British and Colonial military fatalities during World War I.

Ben Stansall, AFP/Getty Images Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, then Princess Elizabeth, left, joins, from left, Queen Elizabeth, Prime Minister Winston Churchill, King George VI, and Princess Margaret, on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in London on VE-Day on May 8, 1945. AP file photo Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on Buckingham Palace balcony after her coronation in June 1953. Photo by AFP/Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip pose on her coronation day, June 2, 1953, in Buckingham Palace. AFP/Getty Images Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth II, and Prince Philip leave Westminster Abbey after their wedding November 20, 1947. Associated Press Hillary Clinton shares a light moment with Britain's Queen Elizabeth in the Grand Entrance Hall of Buckingham Palace on Nov. 29, 1995.

John Stillwell, AP Fullscreen US actress Angelina Jolie (R) is presented with the Insignia of an Honorary Dame Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in the 1844 Room at Buckingham Palace in central London, on October 10, 2014. Angelina Jolie was awarded an honorary damehood (DCMG) for services to UK foreign policy and the campaign to end war zone sexual violence. AFP PHOTO/Anthony Devlin/POOLAnthony Devlin/AFP/Getty Images ORG XMIT: 2218 ORIG FILE ID: 534274514 ANTHONY DEVLIN, AFP/Getty Images Like this topic? You may also like these photo galleries: Replay Queen Elizabeth II and King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia look at Saudi Arabian items from the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace in London, Oct. 30, 2007, during his state visit to the U.K. (Photo: Akira Suemori, AP) 2363 CONNECT TWEET 16 LINKEDIN 14 COMMENTEMAILMORE The king is dead, long live the queen.

The death of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia on Thursday, at age 90, leaves British Queen Elizabeth II as the oldest living reigning monarch in the world. The death of King Abdullah now also makes Queen Elizabeth II the oldest Monarch in the world. — Royal Central (@RoyalCentral) January 22, 2015 The queen is 88, and will turn 89 on April 21, although her birthday is typically celebrated in June when the weather is better. The queen and her husband, Prince Philip, who is 93, have cut back on their long-range overseas travels in recent years, leaving it to their children and grandchildren. Buckingham Palace announced Friday that her heir, Prince Charles the Prince of Wales, will travel to Saudi Arabia Saturday to represent her in paying condolences. The palace announcement called the late king by his formal title: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. For years, Charles has frequently represented the queen at important funerals abroad. But the queen has not entirely stopped making public appearances. She has several engagements in the U.K.

in her diary for next week, and will pay a state visit to Germany in June, according to the palace. Meanwhile, she's due to set other records this year: Next month marks her 63rd year on the throne, having acceded when her father, King George VI, died in February 1952. And on Sept. 10, she pass her great-great grandmother, Queen Victoria, as the longest-reigning British monarch ever. The queen had hosted King Abdullah in 2007 during his state visit to Britain. The British monarchy dates back 1,000 years and the Saudi monarchy dates back about 100 years. Also, the British monarch reigns, never rules, as a constitutional monarch. The Saudi monarchs are nothing of the sort, wielding much more actual power, including life and death, than a British monarch has had for centuries. 2363 CONNECT TWEET 16 LINKEDIN 14 COMMENTEMAILMORE Read or Share this story: NEVER MISS OUT Life Be a pop culture maven. Get the news, reviews and the juiciest celebrity stories that keep you in the know, Monday-Friday.

Queen Elizabeth II: Monarch marks birthday in neon style - CNN.com 1 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth was born April 21, 1926, in London. She is held here by her mother, Elizabeth. Her father would later become King George VI. Hide Caption Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Princess Elizabeth in 1928. 3 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Princess Elizabeth is seen with her uncle Edward, Prince of Wales, during a visit to Balmoral, Scotland, in September 1933. He would go on to become King Edward VIII in 1936. But when he abdicated later that year, Elizabeth's father became King and she became heir presumptive. Hide Caption 4 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Princess Elizabeth is seen in the Duchess' box during a pantomime act at London's Lyceum Theater in February 1935.

Hide Caption 5 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II From left, Princess Elizabeth, King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret wave to the crowd from the Royal Balcony of Buckingham Palace on June 22, 1939. Hide Caption 6 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II A 14-year-old Princess Elizabeth, right, sits next to her sister for a radio broadcast on October 13, 1940. On the broadcast, her first, she said that England's children were full of cheerfulness and courage. Hide Caption 7 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Princess Elizabeth shakes hands with an officer of the Grenadier Guards on May 29, 1942. King George VI made Elizabeth an honorary colonel in the Royal Army regiment. Hide Caption Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Princess Elizabeth, right, and Princess Margaret wear summer dresses circa 1942.

Hide Caption 9 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II With the Drakensberg Mountains behind her, Princess Elizabeth sits in South Africa's Natal National Park on April 21, 1947, her 21st birthday. Hide Caption 10 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II This portrait of the British royal family was taken in July 1947, after Princess Elizabeth, far left, got engaged to Prince Philip of Greece, a lieutenant in the British Navy. He is second from left. To his left are Queen Elizabeth, King George VI and Princess Margaret. Hide Caption 11 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II The Royal Wedding Party waves from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on November 20, 1947. After becoming a British citizen and renouncing his Greek title, Philip became His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His wife became the Duchess of Edinburgh. Hide Caption 12 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Princess Elizabeth smiles in March 1950 as she arrives to a state banquet at the French Embassy in London's Kensington Palace Gardens.

Hide Caption 13 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth ascended to the throne in February 1952, when her father died of lung cancer. Here, the new Queen leaves the Royal Archers Hall in Edinburgh after a ball in June 1952. It was the first function she attended as Queen following her father's death. Hide Caption Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II walks to the altar during her coronation ceremony on June 2, 1953. Hide Caption 15 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II on the balcony of Melbourne's Government House, during her tour of Australia in March 1954. Hide Caption 16 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II From left, Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother visit Epsom Downs Racecourse in June 1958. Hide Caption 17 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II The Queen holds her son Prince Andrew while his sister, Princess Anne, watches during a family holiday at Scotland's Balmoral Castle in September 1960.

Hide Caption Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II is seen during the State Opening of Parliament in April 1966. Hide Caption Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II with her oldest son, Prince Charles, in 1969. Hide Caption Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Prince Charles adjusts his coronet during his investiture ceremony as Prince of Wales in 1969. Hide Caption 21 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip wave from a plane ramp shortly before taking off from Tokyo in May 1975. Hide Caption 22 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II takes a portrait at Windsor Castle for her 50th birthday on April 21, 1976. Hide Caption Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II The Queen meets the crowds during her royal tour of New Zealand in 1977. Hide Caption 24 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II The Queen stands next to Prince Charles as he kisses his new bride, Princess Diana, on their wedding day July 29, 1981.

Hide Caption 25 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II takes pictures of her husband during a horse show in Windsor, England, on May 16, 1982. Hide Caption 26 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II The Queen reacts to an elephant as she tours a charity event in London's Hyde Park in June 1987. Hide Caption 27 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II fires a rifle during a visit to the Army Rifle Association at Bisley, England, in July 1993. Hide Caption 28 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II While at Buckingham Palace, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip view the floral tributes to Princess Diana after her tragic death in 1997. Hide Caption Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II The Queen addresses the nation on the night before Princess Diana's funeral in 1997. Hide Caption 30 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Prince Charles looks back at his mother after wedding Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, in April 2005.

Hide Caption 31 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip leave London's St. Paul's Cathedral on October 9, 2009, following a commemoration service to mark the end of combat operations in Iraq. Hide Caption 32 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II The Queen, second from right, greets a crowd from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on April 29, 2011. Her grandson Prince William, third from left, had just married Catherine Middleton. Hide Caption 33 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II drives her Range Rover as she attends the Windsor Horse Show in May 2011. Hide Caption 34 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II The Queen's signature is seen in the visitors book at Aras An Uachtarain, the Irish President's official residence in Dublin, Ireland, in May 2011. Hide Caption 35 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Flags are waved as Queen Elizabeth II leaves St.

Paul's Cathedral following its 300th anniversary service in June 2011. Hide Caption Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Madame Tussauds London reveals a wax figure of the Queen in May 2012. Hide Caption 37 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Prince Charles kisses his mother's hand on stage as singer Paul McCartney, far right, looks on at the Diamond Jubilee concert held June 4, 2012, at Buckingham Palace. The Diamond Jubilee celebrations marked Elizabeth's 60th anniversary as Queen. Hide Caption 38 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II The Queen speaks at a reception for members of the International Olympic Committee on July 23, 2012. Hide Caption Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II The Queen tours the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London in December 2012. Hide Caption 40 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II A boy in Belfast, Northern Ireland, takes a selfie in front of the Queen in June 2014.

Hide Caption 41 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II The Queen enters the Great Hall at Edinburgh Castle after attending a commemorative service for the Scottish National War Memorial in July 2014. Hide Caption 42 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II The Queen waits to give her speech during the State Opening of Parliament on May 27, 2015. Hide Caption Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II The Queen sits at a desk in Buckingham Palace in July 2015. Hide Caption Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II The British monarch greets the public after attending church services in February. Hide Caption 45 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Prince George gets a boost from some foam blocks for a special family photo. The portrait, featuring the four generations of the House of Windsor, was commissioned by the Royal Mail and will be featured on a series of stamps to commemorate the Queen's 90th birthday. Hide Caption 46 of 48 Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II acknowledges the crowd as she celebrates her 90th birthday in Windsor, England, on April 21. Hide Caption

Question: Who preceded Queen Elizabeth II as monarch?
Answer: George VI