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Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain was crowned in 1953. Her 60 years on the throne was celebrated in June 2012, with the Diamond Jubilee.
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Queen Elizabeth II - Mini Biography
Queen Elizabeth II first began public duties during World War II, where she became a symbol of reassurance for the British people. In her 60-year reign, she's preserved the image of the crown throughout a period of great change.
Queen Elizabeth II - Royal Wedding
An inside look at the royal wedding between Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
Queen Elizabeth II - Princess Diana's Death
After Princess Diana's death, Queen Elizabeth II broadcast a message to the people of England.
Prince Harry - Mini Biography
The son of Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, Prince Harry is third in line for the British throne. He served on the front lines in Afghanistan and holds the rank of captain.
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Play NowQueen Elizabeth II. (2013). The Biography Channel website. Retrieved 09:25, May 25, 2013, from http://www.biography.com/people/queen-elizabeth-ii-9286165.
Queen Elizabeth II. [Internet]. 2013. The Biography Channel website. Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/queen-elizabeth-ii-9286165 [Accessed 25 May 2013].
"Queen Elizabeth II." 2013. The Biography Channel website. May 25 2013, 09:25 http://www.biography.com/people/queen-elizabeth-ii-9286165.
"Queen Elizabeth II," The Biography Channel website, 2013, http://www.biography.com/people/queen-elizabeth-ii-9286165 [accessed May 25, 2013].
"Queen Elizabeth II," The Biography Channel website, http://www.biography.com/people/queen-elizabeth-ii-9286165 (accessed May 25, 2013).
Queen Elizabeth II [Internet]. The Biography Channel website; 2013 [cited 2013 May 25] Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/queen-elizabeth-ii-9286165.
Queen Elizabeth II, http://www.biography.com/people/queen-elizabeth-ii-9286165 (last visited May 25, 2013).
Queen Elizabeth II. The Biography Channel website. 2013. Available at: http://www.biography.com/people/queen-elizabeth-ii-9286165. Accessed May 25, 2013.
Synopsis
Queen Elizabeth II was born Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary on April 21, 1926 in London, to Prince Albert, Duke of York (later 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. During her reign, she has tried to make the British monarchy more modern and sensitive to the public.
Early Life
At the time of her birth, no one thought 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 with 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 and her younger sister Margaret were educated at home by tutors. Their studies included French, mathematics, history and geography. They also took dancing, singing and art lessons.
In 1936, the course of Elizabeth's life changed with the death of her grandfather, King George V. Her uncle became King Edward VIII, but he only ruled for six months. King Edward was in love with American divorcee Wallis Simpson, and had to choose between her and the crown. In the end, Edward chose Simpson and Elizabeth's father, Prince Albert, became King George VI.
With the outbreak of World War II, Elizabeth and her sister largely stayed out of London, spending much of their time at Winsor Castle. From there, she made one of her famous broadcasts. Over the radio, Elizabeth sought to reassure children 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 up 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 Great 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.
Marriage and Accession
Elizabeth first met Philip Mountbatten, son of Prince Andrew of Greece, when she was only 13 and was smitten with him from the start. Distant cousins, the pair kept in touch over the years and eventually fell in love. Her father, King George VI, was hesitant about the match. Mountbatten had ties to both the Danish and Greek royal families, but he didn't possess great wealth and was a bit rough in his personality. They made an unusual pair. Elizabeth was quiet and reserved while Philip was boisterous and outspoken.
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