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Queen Elizabeth II is the current Queen of England, and plans to celebrate 60 years on the throne in 2012.
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Queen Elizabeth II - Mini Bio
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. (2012). Biography.com. Retrieved 06:36, May 23, 2012 from http://www.biography.com/people/queen-elizabeth-ii-9286165
Queen Elizabeth II [Internet]. 2012. http://www.biography.com/people/queen-elizabeth-ii-9286165, May 23
"Queen Elizabeth II." 2012. Biography.com 23 May 2012, 06:36 http://www.biography.com/people/queen-elizabeth-ii-9286165
'Queen Elizabeth II', Biography.com,(2012) http://www.biography.com/people/queen-elizabeth-ii-9286165 [accessed May 23, 2012]
"Queen Elizabeth II," Biography.com, http://www.biography.com/people/queen-elizabeth-ii-9286165 (accessed May 23, 2012).
Queen Elizabeth II [Internet]. Biography.com; 2012 [cited 2012 May 23]. 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 23, 2012).
Queen Elizabeth II, http://www.biography.com/people/queen-elizabeth-ii-9286165 (last visited May 23, 2012).
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 Phillip 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 Phillip was boisterous and outspoken.
At the time of their marriage in 1947, Great Britain was still recovering from the ravages of World War II. Elizabeth is said to have collected clothing coupons to get fabric for her gown. The ceremony was held at London's Westminster
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